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Subjectively experienced cannabis effects in animals
Author(s) -
Järbe Torbjörn U. C.,
Hiltunen Arto J.,
Mechoulam Raphael
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/ddr.430160232
Subject(s) - enantiomer , chemistry , stereoselectivity , cannabinoid , tetrahydrocannabinol , pharmacology , cannabidiol , cannabis , stereospecificity , dronabinol , stereochemistry , psychology , biochemistry , biology , receptor , psychiatry , catalysis
Discriminative stimulus properties of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are reviewed. The cue induced by δ9‐THC is pharmacologically specific. Generally, only cannabimimetics have been found to substitute for the THC cue, including hashish‐smoke. Combination tests with naturally occurring cannabinoids indicate interactions that, however, may be species specific. Among the THC metabolites examined, the 11‐OH‐THC is more potent than the parent compound. Other metabolites were much less active. (+)–δ–THC are much less active than the (–) natural enantiomer indicating stereoselectivity. Absolute stereospecificity was seen with the enantiomers of the dimethylheptyl homologs of 11‐OH‐δ8‐THC, the (–)‐isomer being at least 70 times more active than (–)‐δ9‐THC; the (+)‐isomer did not generalize even at doses a thousand times higher than those of the ED 50 of the (–)‐enantiomer. Additional stereochemical aspects of the THC cue are indicated.