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Cardiovascular effects of prolonged delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol ingestion
Author(s) -
Benowitz Neal L.,
Jones Reese T.
Publication year - 1975
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/cpt1975183287
Subject(s) - delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol , heart rate , tachycardia , medicine , orthostatic vital signs , ingestion , blood pressure , supine position , anesthesia , blood volume , valsalva maneuver , circulatory system , sympathetic nervous system , autonomic nervous system , cannabinoid , receptor
In contrast to the tachycardia and unchanged or increased blood pressure seen after single doses, prolonged delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ingestion produced significant heart rate slowing and blood pressure lowering in hospitalized volunteers. Impaired circulatory responses to standing, exercise, Valsalva maneuver, and cold pressor testing suggest a state of sympathetic insufficiency. Marked weight gain was observed in all subjects, which has been shown to be related to fluid retention and plasma volume expansion. Tolerance developed to orthostatic hypotension, possibly related to plasma volume expansion, but did not develop to the supine hypotensive effects. Nearly complete tolerance developed to the tachycardia and psychological effects produced by smoked marijuana while ingesting THC. Electrocardiographic changes were minimal despite the large cumulative dose of THC. The hypothesis that THC has a biphasic effect on the sympathetic nervous system in man, producing excitation with single doses and inhibition with prolonged administration, is discussed.