THC-O-Acetate: Scarce Evidence for a Psychedelic Cannabinoid.
Daniel J. Kruger, Carlton Cb Bone, Meredith C Meacham, Charles Klein, Jessica S Kruger
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2024 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2230573 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | THC-O-acetate consumers recruited through an online forum |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Cannabinoid Psychedelic THC-O-Acetate Thco |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | THC-O-acetate produces low to moderate cognitive distortions but does not induce a psychedelic or mystical experience comparable to classic psychedelics. |
Abstract
There is a growing interest in semi-synthetic cannabinoids, including THC-O-acetate (THC-Oac). Some cannabis marketers and users have claimed that THC-Oac produces psychedelic effects; the current study is the first to examine this claim. Researchers developed an online survey for THC-Oac consumers based on previous cannabis and psychedelic use surveys and in consultation with the moderator of an online forum. The survey assessed the experiential profile of THC-Oac and included items from the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), an instrument for assessing psychedelic experiences. Participants reported a low to moderate level of cognitive distortions (altered sense of time, difficulties concentrating, difficulties with short-term memory) and few visuals or hallucinations. Participants' responses were significantly below the threshold for a complete mystical experience on all four MEQ dimensions. Participants who had used classic (5-HT2A agonist) psychedelics had lower scores on all MEQ dimensions. When asked directly, 79% responded that using THC-Oac is "not at all" or "a little" of a psychedelic experience. Some reports of psychedelic experiences may be due to expectations or contaminants. Those having prior experience with classic psychedelics had lower ratings of mystical experiences.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional study | n = 148 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Models of psychedelic drug action: modulation of cortical-subcortical circuits Brain October 22, 2021
- Consumer Experiences with Delta-8-THC: Medical Use, Pharmaceutical Substitution, and Comparisons with Delta-9-THC Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research February 1, 2023
- The Intricate Influence of the Placebo Effect on Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids June 12, 2018