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Effects of cannabinoids (marijuana) on taste intensity and hedonic ratings and salivary flow of adults.

R D Mattes, L M Shaw, K Engelman

Chemical senses April 1, 1994 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/19.2.125 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Double-blind, placebo-controlled acute oral dosing trial plus additional route and chronic dosing studies Peer reviewed
Sample size 57
Population 'light' marijuana users; age and gender stratified sample of 57 adults in the acute oral dosing trial
Duration Acute studies monitored at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 hours post-dosing; chronic study dosed twice per day for 3 days
Topics Cannabis
Keywords Humans Suppositories Administration, inhalation Administration, oral Administration, sublingual Double-blind method Taste Salivation Adult Middle aged Female Dronabinol
Key findings Dronabinol produced no effects on taste intensity or hedonic responses to sweet, sour, salty, and bitter food stimuli. Salivary flow rate was significantly negatively correlated with plasma drug levels and with reported 'high' 2 and 4 hours post-dosing. The authors suggest that self-reported shifts in taste responsiveness and hedonics may be related to alterations of memory and cognition rather than gustatory function.

Abstract

Cannabinoids purportedly improve taste responsiveness and enhance the sensory appeal of foods. These properties and a commonly cited oral drying effect were evaluated in a series of studies with 'light' marijuana users. The first was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, acute oral dosing trial, involving an age and gender stratified sample of 57 adults. An influence of route of drug delivery was explored in another 11 individuals who were administered a single dose orally, sublingually and via cigarette. To explore effects following chronic administration, six additional individuals were dosed twice per day for 3 days orally and by rectal suppository. Taste intensity and hedonic responses for sweet, sour, salty and bitter food stimuli were monitored at baseline, 2, 4 and 6 hours post-dosing in the acute studies, and daily in the chronic study. Stimulated saliva samples were collected at these same times. Salivary flow rate was significantly negatively correlated with plasma drug levels, and reported 'high' 2 and 4 h post-dosing. No effects of the drug were observed on taste responses. Self-reported shifts in taste responsiveness and hedonics may be related to alterations of memory and cognition, rather than gustatory function.

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

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