Psychedelic symptoms of cannabis and cocaine use as a function of trait impulsivity
JHP van Wel, DB Spronk, Kim P. C. Kuypers, EL Theunissen, SW Toennes, Rj Verkes, Jg Ramaekers
Journal of Psychopharmacology January 8, 2015 DOI: 10.1177/0269881114563633 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Three-way crossover study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 122 |
| Population | Regular drug users |
| Interventions | cocaine HCl cannabis placebo |
| Topics | Addiction Anxiety Cannabis |
| Keywords | Impulsivity Mood Barratt impulsiveness scale Trait Arousal Clinical psychology Stimulant Hallucinogen Placebo |
| Citations | 23 |
| Key points | A broad association between trait impulsivity and psychedelic subjective drug experience appears to be absent; only a few subjective items revealed a drug × trait impulsivity interaction. |
Abstract
Trait impulsivity has been linked to addiction in humans. It has been suggested that drug users with high trait impulsivity levels are more sensitive to subjective drug intoxication. This study assessed whether subjective response to drugs differs between drug users with normal or high levels of trait impulsivity. Regular drug users (N = 122) received doses of cocaine HCl, cannabis, and placebo in a three-way crossover study. Their mood, dissociative state, and psychedelic symptoms were measured with subjective rating scales (CADDS, Bowdle, POMS). Trait impulsivity was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Cannabis increased dissociation and psychedelic state, as well as fatigue, confusion, depression and anxiety, and decreased arousal, positive mood, vigor, friendliness, and elation. Cocaine increased dissociation, psychedelic state, vigor, friendliness, elation, positive mood, anxiety and arousal, while decreasing fatigue. Only a few subjective items revealed a drug × trait impulsivity interaction, suggesting that psychedelic symptoms were most intense in high impulsivity subjects. Trait impulsiveness ratings were negatively correlated with ratings of vigor (r = -.197) and positively correlated with ratings of loss of thought control (r = .237) during cannabis intoxication. It is concluded that a broad association between trait impulsivity and psychedelic subjective drug experience appears to be absent.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Cannabis increased dissociation, psychedelic state, fatigue, confusion, depression and anxiety and decreased arousal and positive mood, with only a few subjective items showing a drug by trait impulsivity interaction.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on cannabis for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distinct Effects of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Neural Activation During Emotional Processing Healthy, English-native, right-handed men who had used cannabis 15 times or less in... | 2009 | Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial | n = 15 |
| Modulation of Mediotemporal and Ventrostriatal Function in Humans by Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Healthy, native English-speaking, right-handed men of white race/ethnicity who had used... | 2009 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 15 |
| Modulation of effective connectivity during emotional processing by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol Healthy subjects | 2009 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 15 |
| Cannabis containing equivalent concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) induces less state anxiety than THC-dominant cannabis Healthy recreational cannabis users | 2022 | Randomized controlled trial, within-subjects | n = 26 |
| Effects of Cannabinoids on Emotional States and Alcohol Use Among Underrepresented Groups: Moderation by Perceived Discrimination. Participants who identify with a racial, ethnic, gender, or sexual identity that is... | 2025 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 172 |