Comparative effects of alcohol and marijuana on mood, memory, and performance.
S. Heishman, K. Arasteh, M. Stitzer
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior September 1, 1997 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-3057(96)00456-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 5 |
| Population | Male volunteers with histories of moderate alcohol and marijuana use |
| Interventions | Alcohol Marijuana |
| Dose | 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 g/kg alcohol; 4, 8, or 16 puffs of 3.55% delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Alcohol and marijuana produced comparable impairment on digit-symbol substitution and word recall tests, but only alcohol impaired performance on a number recognition test. |
Abstract
This study compared subjective and behavioral effect profiles of alcohol and smoked marijuana using technology that controlled puffing and inhalation parameters. Male volunteers (n = 5) with histories of moderate alcohol and marijuana use were administered three doses of alcohol (0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 g/kg), three doses of marijuana [4.8, or 16 puffs of 3.55% delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)], and placebo in random order under double blind conditions in seven separate sessions. Blood alcohol concentration (10-90 mg/dl) and THC levels (63-188 ng/ml) indicated that active drug was delivered to subjects dose dependently. Alcohol and marijuana produced dose-related changes in subjective measures of drug effect. Ratings of perceived impairment were identical for the high doses of alcohol and marijuana. Both drugs produced comparable impairment in digit-symbol substitution and word recall tests, but had no effect in time perception and reaction time tests. Alcohol, but not marijuana, slightly impaired performance in a number recognition test. These data are useful for understanding the relative performance impairment produced by alcohol and marijuana at the delivered doses and the relationship between their subjective and behavioral effects.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabidiol inhibits THC-elicited paranoid symptoms and hippocampal-dependent memory impairment Healthy participants | 2012 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 48 |
| 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 |
| Acute Effects of a Single, Oral dose of d9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) Administration in Healthy Volunteers Healthy male subjects | 2012 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 16 |
| 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 |
| Cannabidiol (CBD) content in vaporized cannabis does not prevent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced impairment of driving and cognition Healthy volunteers with a history of light cannabis use | 2019 | Randomized, double-blind, within-subjects crossover | n = 14 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 29
- γ‐Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in Humans Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences August 1, 2006
- Dissociable Effects of a Single Dose of Ecstasy (MDMA) on Psychomotor Skills and Attentional Performance Journal of Psychopharmacology December 1, 2003
- Neurophysiological functioning of occasional and heavy cannabis users during THC intoxication Psychopharmacology October 5, 2011
- Relative Abuse Liability of γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid, Flunitrazepam, and Ethanol in Club Drug Users Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology December 1, 2007
- Disposition of Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid in Conventional and Nonconventional Biologic Fluids After Single Drug Administration: Issues in Methodology and Drug Monitoring Therapeutic Drug Monitoring February 1, 2007
and 24 more in the library
Cites 7
- Systemic or intrahippocampal cannabinoid administration impairs spatial memory in rats. Psychopharmacology June 1995
- Effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on delayed match to sample performance in rats: alterations in short-term memory associated with changes in task specific firing of hippocampal cells. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1993
- Acute effects of marijuana on cognition: relationships to chronic effects and smoking techniques. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior November 1992
- Effects of tetrahydrocannabinol content on marijuana smoking behavior, subjective reports, and performance. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior September 1989
- Alcohol and marijuana: comparative dose effect profiles in humans. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior November 1988
and 2 more in the library