Evaluation of the Modulatory Effects of Minor Cannabinoids and Terpenes on Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Discrimination in Rats.
Catherine F Moore, Julie Marusich, Mehdi Haghdoost, Timothy W Lefever, Marcel O Bonn-Miller, Elise M Weerts
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research September 2023 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0062 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Drug discrimination study in rats Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | Male and female rats (50% female) |
| Interventions | delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC) beta-caryophyllene linalool |
| Dose | CBG, CBDV, CBC, and THCV: 3-30 mg/kg; CBGa and CBDa: 10-100 mg/kg; beta-caryophyllene and linalool: 10-30 mg/kg |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Drug discrimination Minor cannabinoids Terpenes |
| Key points | The minor cannabinoids and terpenes tested did not alter the discriminative stimulus effects of D9-THC: none reduced D9-THC-appropriate responding to 50% or below. The authors suggest these compounds are unlikely to lower the psychoactive effects of D9-THC in human users. |
Abstract
Introduction: Cannabis contains a multitude of phytocannabinoids and terpenes in addition to its main psychoactive constituent, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC). It is believed that the combination of minor cannabinoids and terpenes with D9-THC may impact the subjective and physiological effects of D9-THC. In this study, select minor cannabinoids (cannabigerol [CBG], cannabidivarin [CBDV], cannabichromene [CBC], tetrahydrocannabivarin [THCV], cannabigerolic acid [CBGa], and cannabidiolic acid [CBDa]) and terpenes (beta-caryophyllene and linalool) were evaluated for their potential to decrease the interoceptive effects of D9-THC using drug discrimination methods.
Materials and Methods: Male and female rats (n=16; 50% female) were trained to discriminate D9-THC from vehicle. Following training, D9-THC was administered 45 min pre-session, followed by administration of a minor cannabinoid or terpene (or vehicle) 15 min pre-session. CBG, CBDV, CBC, and THCV were administered at doses of 3-30 mg/kg; CBGa and CBDa were administered at doses of 10-100 mg/kg; beta-caryophyllene and linalool were administered at doses of 10-30 mg/kg. Percentage of D9-THC responding (%) was calculated to assess changes to D9-THCs interoceptive effects.
Results: CBG, CBDV, CBC, THCV, CBGa, CBDa, beta-caryophyllene, and linalool had little effect on percent D9-THC responding in either sex. No compounds lowered percent D9-THC responding to 50% or below. THCV, CBC, CBDa, and beta-caryophyllene in combination with D9-THC decreased response rates compared with D9-THC alone.
Conclusions: The minor cannabinoids and terpenes examined in the current study did not alter the discriminative stimulus effects of D9-THC. These results suggest that these compounds are unlikely to lower the psychoactive effects of D9-THC in human users.