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Synthetic delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol elicits schizophrenia‐like negative symptoms which are distinct from sedation
Author(s) -
Morrison P. D.,
Stone J. M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.1166
Subject(s) - placebo , sedation , cannabis , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychology , delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol , tetrahydrocannabinol , psychiatry , psychosis , medicine , adverse effect , anesthesia , clinical psychology , cannabinoid , pathology , alternative medicine , receptor
Objective It is unknown if cannabis recreates the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Methods Healthy male volunteers ( n = 22) completed two experimental sessions in which they received intravenous (IV) delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 2.5 mg or placebo in a randomised counterbalanced order. Negative symptoms were rated using the self‐reported community assessment of psychic experiences scale (CAPE). Sedation was rated using the mood‐adjective check‐list (UMACL). Plasma concentrations of THC were measured over the course of the study. Data were analysed by non‐parametric tests. Results Participants reported an increase in negative symptoms from baseline under THC but not placebo conditions ( p < 0.001). Negative symptoms showed no relationship with self‐rated sedation or plasma concentrations of THC. Conclusions At plasma concentrations resembling recreational use, THC elicited schizophrenia‐like negative symptoms which were not merely attributable to sedation. In the community, negative symptoms may be an adverse effect of cannabis use. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.