Effects of sex and pre-exposure on Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vapor self-administration in rats.
Psychopharmacology May 1, 2026 Catherine F Moore, Elise M Weerts
Adult male and female rats self-administered vaporized THC in a sustained manner over several months, adjusting their intake as the response cost and THC concentration changed. Pre-exposure to THC vapor increased subsequent self-administration. Female rats in the THC group responded more than female rats in the vehicle vapor group under increasing response costs. Lower THC doses and THC pre-exposure were critical for establishing the reinforcing effects of THC vapor. The authors propose this as a promising preclinical model for studying cannabis use disorder.