Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol.
Samuel D Banister, Jonathon C Arnold, Mark Connor, Michelle Glass, Iain S. Mcgregor
ACS Chemical Neuroscience May 15, 2019 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00651 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Δ9-THC |
| Topics | Cannabis CBD |
| Keywords | Cannabinoid Pharmacology |
| Key findings | The review profiles Δ9-THC as a partial agonist at central CB1 receptors that is an approved treatment for chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and multiple sclerosis, and is under investigation for other conditions. The authors frame contemporary debate around its therapeutic value, potential to produce psychosis and cognitive impairment, and addictive and "gateway" potential. |
Abstract
Cannabis ( Cannabis sativa) is the most widely used illicit drug in the world, with an estimated 192 million users globally. The main psychoactive component of cannabis is (-)- trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), a compound with a diverse range of pharmacological actions. The unique and distinctive intoxication caused by Δ9-THC primarily reflects partial agonist action at central cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors. Δ9-THC is an approved therapeutic treatment for a range of conditions, including chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and multiple sclerosis, and is being investigated in indications such as anorexia nervosa, agitation in dementia, and Tourette's syndrome. It is available as a regulated pharmaceutical in products such as Marinol, Sativex, and Namisol as well as in an ever-increasing range of unregistered medicinal and recreational cannabis products. While cannabis is an ancient medicament, contemporary use is embroiled in legal, scientific, and social controversy, much of which relates to the potential hazards and benefits of Δ9-THC itself. Robust contemporary debate surrounds the therapeutic value of Δ9-THC in different diseases, its capacity to produce psychosis and cognitive impairment, and the addictive and "gateway" potential of the drug. This review will provide a profile of the chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic uses of Δ9-THC as well as the historical and societal import of this unique, distinctive, and ubiquitous psychoactive substance.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence | 2004 | Review | |
| Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. General (historical and pharmacological review) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis | 2001 | Review | |
| Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs | 2011 | Review | |
| Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug | 2006 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Psilocybin as a Novel Pharmacotherapy for Treatment-Refractory Anorexia Nervosa OBM Neurobiology June 24, 2021
- Acute effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on resting state connectivity networks and impact of COMT genotype: A multi-site pharmacological fMRI study Drug and Alcohol Dependence August 11, 2023
- Does acute stress induced via cold water immersion increase blood THC concentrations in regular cannabis users? Psychopharmacology December 2025
- 'Synthetic cannabis': A dangerous misnomer. International Journal of Drug Policy December 1, 2021
Cites 22
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- Cannabis and tolerance: acute drug impairment as a function of cannabis use history Scientific Reports May 26, 2016
- Neurocognition and subjective experience following acute doses of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH‐018: a phase 1, placebo‐controlled, pilot study British Journal of Pharmacology November 22, 2017
- “Hallucinations” Following Acute Cannabis Dosing: A Case Report and Comparison to Other Hallucinogenic Drugs Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research April 2, 2018
and 17 more in the library