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Cardiovascular effects of delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in man
Author(s) -
Weiss James L.,
Watanabe August M.,
Lemberger Louis,
Tamarkin Norman R.,
Cardon Philippe V.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt1972135part1671
Subject(s) - heart rate , medicine , blood pressure , catecholamine , sympathoadrenal system , endocrinology , epinephrine , norepinephrine , delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol , circulatory system , anesthesia , excretion , vascular resistance , dopamine , cannabinoid , receptor
The effects of a pharmacologic dose of delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ‐9‐THC) on the human circulatory system were investigated. Their relation to plasma drug levels, urinary catecholamine excretion, and psychic effects was observed. Δ‐9‐THC (0.3 mg. per kilogram) was administered orally to 8 male volunteers. Four subjects also received tracer amounts of C 14 ‐Δ‐9‐THC. Recumbent and upright heart rate, recumbent mean arterial blood pressure, forearm blood flow, and calculated forearm conductance all increased significantly following drug administration. Significant shortening of ventricular pre‐ejection period and attenuation or abolition of reflex venoconstriction in response to a deep breath were also seen. Mean arterial pressure decreased transiently with head‐up tilt and was associated with presyncope in 7 subjects, although cardioacceleratory response and forearm arteriolar constriction remained intact. Plasma levels of C 14 Δ‐9‐THC and its metabolites were maximal at 3 hours. Gastrointestinal absorption was 95 per cent complete. Urinary excretion of free epinephrine was significantly higher during the 6 hour period following Δ‐9‐THC administration than during a similar control period. Free norepinephrine excretion was unchanged. Several of the cardiovascular effects seen appear to be consistent with increased sympathoadrenal activity. This suggests the possibility that augmented epinephrine secretion is in part responsible for these Circulatory changes.

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