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Ranganathan M, Radhakrishnan R, Addy PH, Schnakenberg-Martin AM, Williams AH, Carbuto M, Elander J, Pittman B, Andrew Sewell R, Skosnik PD, D'Souza DC. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) impairs encoding but not retrieval of verbal information. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017. [PMID: 28642081 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabis and agonists of the brain cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) produce acute memory impairments in humans. However, the extent to which cannabinoids impair the component processes of encoding and retrieval has not been established in humans. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether the administration of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, impairs encoding and/or retrieval of verbal information. MATERIALS AND METHODS Healthy subjects were recruited from the community. Subjects were administered the Rey-Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) either before administration of THC (experiment #1) (n=38) or while under the influence of THC (experiment #2) (n=57). Immediate and delayed recall on the RAVLT was compared. Subjects received intravenous THC, in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized manner at doses known to produce behavioral and subjective effects consistent with cannabis intoxication. RESULTS Total immediate recall, short delayed recall, and long delayed recall were reduced in a statistically significant manner only when the RAVLT was administered to subjects while they were under the influence of THC (experiment #2) and not when the RAVLT was administered prior. CONCLUSIONS THC acutely interferes with encoding of verbal memory without interfering with retrieval. These data suggest that learning information prior to the use of cannabis or cannabinoids is not likely to disrupt recall of that information. Future studies will be necessary to determine whether THC impairs encoding of non-verbal information, to what extent THC impairs memory consolidation, and the role of other cannabinoids in the memory-impairing effects of cannabis. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION Cannabinoids, Neural Synchrony, and Information Processing (THC-Gamma) http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00708994 NCT00708994 Pharmacogenetics of Cannabinoid Response http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00678730 NCT00678730.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohini Ranganathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Rajiv Radhakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Peter H Addy
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Medical Informatics, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Substance Abuse Treatment Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley M Schnakenberg-Martin
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley H Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michelle Carbuto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jacqueline Elander
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - R Andrew Sewell
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deepak Cyril D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
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Abstract
Hallucinogens fall into several different classes, as broadly defined by pharmacological mechanism of action, and chemical structure. These include psychedelics, entactogens, dissociatives, and other atypical hallucinogens. Although these classes do not share a common primary mechanism of action, they do exhibit important similarities in their ability to occasion temporary but profound alterations of consciousness, involving acute changes in somatic, perceptual, cognitive, and affective processes. Such effects likely contribute to their recreational use. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that these drugs may have therapeutic applications beyond their potential for abuse. This review will present data on several classes of hallucinogens with a particular focus on psychedelics, entactogens, and dissociatives, for which clinical utility has been most extensively documented. Information on each class is presented in turn, tracing relevant historical insights, highlighting similarities and differences between the classes from the molecular to the behavioral level, and presenting the most up-to-date information on clinically oriented research with these substances, with important ramifications for their potential therapeutic value. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Garcia-Romeu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Brennan Kersgaard
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Peter H. Addy
- Department of Medical Informatics, Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT
- Department of Medical Informatics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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Maqueda AE, Valle M, Addy PH, Antonijoan RM, Puntes M, Coimbra J, Ballester MR, Garrido M, González M, Claramunt J, Barker S, Lomnicka I, Waguespack M, Johnson MW, Griffiths RR, Riba J. Naltrexone but Not Ketanserin Antagonizes the Subjective, Cardiovascular, and Neuroendocrine Effects of Salvinorin-A in Humans. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 19:pyw016. [PMID: 26874330 PMCID: PMC4966277 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyw016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Salvinorin-A is a terpene found in the leaves of the plant Salvia divinorum. When administered to humans, salvinorin-A induces an intense but short-lasting modified state of awareness, sharing features with those induced by the classical serotonin-2A receptor agonist psychedelics. However, unlike substances such as psilocybin or mescaline, salvinorin-A shows agonist activity at the kappa-opioid receptor rather than at the serotonin-2A receptor. Here, we assessed the involvement of kappa-opioid receptor and serotonin-2A agonism in the subjective, cardiovascular, and neuroendocrine effects of salvinorin-A in humans. METHODS We conducted a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study with 2 groups of 12 healthy volunteers with experience with psychedelic drugs. There were 4 experimental sessions. In group 1, participants received the following treatment combinations: placebo+placebo, placebo+salvinorin-A, naltrexone+placebo, and naltrexone+salvinorin-A. Naltrexone, a nonspecific opioid receptor antagonist, was administered at a dose of 50mg orally. In group 2, participants received the treatment combinations: placebo+placebo, placebo+salvinorin-A, ketanserin+placebo, and ketanserin+salvinorin-A. Ketanserin, a selective serotonin-2A antagonist, was administered at a dose of 40mg orally. RESULTS Inhalation of 1mg of vaporized salvinorin-A led to maximum plasma concentrations at 1 and 2 minutes after dosing. When administered alone, salvinorin-A severely reduced external sensory perception and induced intense visual and auditory modifications, increased systolic blood pressure, and cortisol and prolactin release. These effects were effectively blocked by naltrexone, but not by ketanserin. CONCLUSIONS Results support kappa opioid receptor agonism as the mechanism of action underlying the subjective and physiological effects of salvinorin-A in humans and rule out the involvement of a serotonin-2A-mediated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jordi Riba
- Human Neuropsychopharmacology Group, Sant Pau Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB-Sant Pau), Sant Antoni María Claret, Barcelona, Spain (Ms Maqueda and Dr Riba); Centre d'Investigació de Medicaments, Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Valle, Dr Puntes, Dr Coimbra, Ms Ballester, Ms Garrido, Ms González, Ms Claramunt, and Dr Riba); Departament de Farmacologia i Terapèutica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Drs Valle, Antonijoan, and Riba); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Spain (Drs Valle, Antonijoan, and Riba); Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Modelling and Simulation, IIB Sant Pau, Sant Antoni María Claret, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Valle); Medical Informatics, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (Dr Addy); Medical Informatics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (Dr Addy); Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Skip Bertman Drive at River Road, Baton Rouge, LA (Drs Barker, Lomnicka, and Waguespack); Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (Drs Johnson and Griffiths); Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (Dr Griffiths).
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Maqueda AE, Valle M, Addy PH, Antonijoan RM, Puntes M, Coimbra J, Ballester MR, Garrido M, González M, Claramunt J, Barker S, Johnson MW, Griffiths RR, Riba J. Salvinorin-A Induces Intense Dissociative Effects, Blocking External Sensory Perception and Modulating Interoception and Sense of Body Ownership in Humans. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyv065. [PMID: 26047623 PMCID: PMC4675976 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Salvinorin-A is a terpene with agonist properties at the kappa-opioid receptor, the binding site of endogenous dynorphins. Salvinorin-A is found in Salvia divinorum, a psychoactive plant traditionally used by the Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico, for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Previous studies with the plant and salvinorin-A have reported psychedelic-like changes in perception, but also unusual changes in body awareness and detachment from external reality. Here we comprehensively studied the profiles of subjective effects of increasing doses of salvinorin-A in healthy volunteers, with a special emphasis on interoception. METHODS A placebo and three increasing doses of vaporized salvinorin-A (0.25, 0.50, and 1mg) were administered to eight healthy volunteers with previous experience in the use of psychedelics. Drug effects were assessed using a battery of questionnaires that included, among others, the Hallucinogen Rating Scale, the Altered States of Consciousness, and a new instrument that evaluates different aspects of body awareness: the Multidimensional Assessment for Interoceptive Awareness. RESULTS Salvinorin-A led to a disconnection from external reality, induced elaborate visions and auditory phenomena, and modified interoception. The lower doses increased somatic sensations, but the highest dose led to a sense of a complete loss of contact with the body. CONCLUSIONS Salvinorin-A induced intense psychotropic effects characterized by a dose-dependent gating of external audio-visual information and an inverted-U dose-response effect on body awareness. These results suggest a prominent role for the kappa opioid receptor in the regulation of sensory perception, interoception, and the sense of body ownership in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jordi Riba
- Human Neuropsychopharmacology Group. Sant Pau Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB-Sant Pau). Sant Antoni María Claret, Barcelona, Spain (Drs Maqueda and Riba); Centre d'Investigació de Medicaments, Servei de Farmacologia Clínica, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain (Drs Valle, Antonijoan, Puntes, Coimbra, Ballester, Garrido, González, Claramunt, and Riba); Departament de Farmacologia i Terapèutica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain (Drs Valle, Antonijoan, and Riba); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain (Drs Valle, Antonijoan, and Riba); Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Modelling and Simulation, IIB Sant Pau. Sant Antoni María Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain (Dr Valle); Medical Informatics, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (Dr Addy); Medical Informatics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (Dr Addy); Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Skip Bertman Drive at River Road, Baton Rouge, LA (Dr Barker); Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD (Drs Johnson and Griffiths); Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (Dr Griffiths).
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Abstract
This study examined the overall psychological effects of inebriation facilitated by the naturally-occurring plant hallucinogen Salvia divinorum using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty healthy individuals self-administered Salvia divinorum via combustion and inhalation in a quiet, comfortable research setting. Experimental sessions, post-session interviews, and 8-week follow-up meetings were audio recorded and transcribed to provide the primary qualitative material analyzed here. Additionally, post-session responses to the Hallucinogen Rating Scale provided a quantitative groundwork for mixed-methods discussion. Qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis, being coded independently by three researchers before being collaboratively integrated to provide the final results. Three main themes and 10 subthemes of acute intoxication emerged, encompassing the qualities of the experience, perceptual alterations, and cognitive-affective shifts. The experience was described as having rapid onset and being intense and unique. Participants reported marked changes in auditory, visual, and interoceptive sensory input; losing normal awareness of themselves and their surroundings; and an assortment of delusional phenomena. Additionally, the abuse potential of Salvia divinorum was examined post hoc. These findings are discussed in light of previous research, and provide an initial framework for greater understanding of the subjective effects of Salvia divinorum, an emerging drug of abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter H Addy
- Medical Informatics, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA Department of Medical Informatics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Albert Garcia-Romeu
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
RATIONALE Recently, products containing synthetic cannabinoids, collectively referred to as Spice, are increasingly being used recreationally. OBJECTIVES The availability, acute subjective effects-including self-reports posted on Erowid-laboratory detection, addictive potential, and regulatory challenges of the Spice phenomenon are reviewed. RESULTS Spice is sold under the guise of potpourri or incense. Unlike delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the synthetic cannabinoids present in Spice are high-potency, high-efficacy, cannabinoid receptor full agonists. Since standard urine toxicology does not test for the synthetic cannabinoids in Spice, it is often used by those who want to avoid detection of drug use. These compounds have not yet been subjected to rigorous testing in humans. Acute psychoactive effects include changes in mood, anxiety, perception, thinking, memory, and attention. Adverse effects include anxiety, agitation, panic, dysphoria, psychosis, and bizarre behavior. Psychosis outcomes associated with Spice provide additional data linking cannabinoids and psychosis. Adverse events necessitating intervention by Poison Control Centers, law enforcement, emergency responders, and hospitals are increasing. Despite statutes prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of Spice products, manufacturers are replacing banned compounds with newer synthetic cannabinoids that are not banned. CONCLUSIONS There is an urgent need for better research on the effects of synthetic cannabinoids to help clinicians manage adverse events and to better understand cannabinoid pharmacology in humans. The reported psychosis outcomes associated with synthetic cannabinoids contribute to the ongoing debate on the association between cannabinoids and psychosis. Finally, drug detection tests for synthetic cannabinoids need to become clinically available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Spaderna
- Dept of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Peter H Addy
- Dept of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511
- Medical Informatics, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516
- Substance Abuse Treatment Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT 06511
| | - Deepak Cyril D’Souza
- Dept of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511
- Schizophrenia Research Program, Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516
- Clinical Neurosciences Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT 06508
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Addy PH, Cyril D'Souza D. Commentary on Hermanns-Clausen et al. (2013): Spicing things up--the emerging phenomenon of synthetic cannabinoid use. Addiction 2013; 108:545-6. [PMID: 23418659 DOI: 10.1111/add.12098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter H Addy
- Medical Informatics, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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Abstract
RATIONALE Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries, and nontraditional use in modern societies is increasing. Inebriation and aftereffects of use are poorly documented in the scientific literature. OBJECTIVES This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study analyzed subjective experiences of salvinorin A (SA) inebriation and consequences of use after 8 weeks. METHODS Thirty middle-aged, well-educated, hallucinogen-experienced participants smoked either 1,017 or 100 μg SA 2 weeks apart in counterbalanced order. Vital signs were recorded before and after inhalation. A researcher rated participants' behavior during sessions. Participants completed the Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS) assessing inebriation immediately after each session. Differences were analyzed between groups as functions of dose and time. After 8 weeks, participants were interviewed to determine reported consequences and aftereffects. RESULTS Participants talked, laughed, and moved more often on an active dose. All six HRS clusters were significantly elevated on an active dose indicating hallucinogenic experiences. No significant adverse events were observed or reported by participants. CONCLUSIONS The present results indicate similarities as well as differences between the subjective effects of S. divinorum and other hallucinogens. As a selective kappa opioid receptor agonist, SA may be useful for expanding understanding of the psychopharmacology and psychology of hallucinogenic states beyond serotonergic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter H Addy
- Schizophrenia Biological Research Center, VA Connecticut HealthCare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
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Addy PH, Radhakrishnan R, Cortes JA, D’Souza DC. Comorbid Alcohol, Cannabis, and Cocaine Use Disorders in Schizophrenia: Epidemiology, Consequences, Mechanisms, and Treatment. FOC 2012. [DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.10.2.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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