delta 1-Tetrahydrocannabinol but not cannabidiol reduces contact and aggressive behavior of rats tested in dyadic encounters.
J M Van Ree, R J Niesink, I Nir
Psychopharmacology 1984 DOI: 10.1007/bf00431467 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled experimental animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats isolated for 7 days, tested with non-isolated, untreated partner rats |
| Interventions | delta-1-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-1-THC) cannabidiol (CBD) |
| Dose | delta-1-THC: 1 mg/kg (low) and 10 mg/kg (high); CBD: 2 and 20 mg/kg |
| Topics | Cannabis CBD |
| Key findings | A high dose of delta-1-THC (10 mg/kg) prevented nearly all social interactions in isolated rats, while a low dose (1 mg/kg) selectively reduced social contact and aggressive behaviors without much affecting social exploration or approach/follow. Both doses of CBD (2 and 20 mg/kg) failed to change social interaction. The authors postulate that THC's effects on close contact behavior may contribute to understanding marijuana taking in humans. |
Abstract
A low and a high dose of delta 1-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 1-THC) and of cannabidiol (CBD) were IP injected in rats that had been isolated for 7 days. Forty-five minutes after injection, the rats were tested for social interactions with non-isolated, untreated test partners in dyadic encounters under standardized conditions. Different aspects of social behavior were analyzed. The high dose of delta 1-THC (10 mg/kg) prevented nearly all social interactions. The low dose of delta 1-THC (1 mg/kg) exerted selective and specific effects on social interactions. Social contact behavior, including crawl over/mounting, and social grooming, and aggressive behavior, including fighting, kicking, and biting, were markedly decreased, whereas social exploratory behavior (exploration of the partner and anogenital investigation) and the behavioral item, approach/follow, were hardly affected by delta 1-THC treatment. Both doses of CBD (2 and 20 mg/kg) failed to change the various aspects of social interaction. It is postulated that the effects of delta 1-THC on close and intimate contact behavior of rats may contribute to the understanding of marihuana taking in humans.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on CBD, most cited first.
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