A preliminary investigation of the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on pain and opioid attentional bias among persons with opioid use disorder.
Journal of Psychiatric Research September 1, 2024 Noah R Wolkowicz, Mehmet Sofuoglu, Brian Pittman et al.
Attentional bias (AB) toward pain and opioid cues may be altered by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving methadone. In a crossover trial, 27 participants received single oral doses of 10 mg THC, 20 mg THC, or placebo. Among those on high methadone doses (≥90 mg/day), 10 mg THC increased AB toward opioid cues, while 20 mg THC decreased it. Those on low methadone doses showed more variable opioid-related AB after THC. These preliminary results suggest THC produces dose-dependent effects on attention to opioid cues, warranting further study of cannabinoids in OUD.