Clinical relevance of cannabis tolerance and dependence.
R T Jones, N L Benowitz, R I Herning
The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 1981 DOI: 10.1002/j.1552-4604.1981.tb02589.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Subjects studied for cannabis/THC withdrawal (details not specified in the abstract) |
| Interventions | THC Cannabis |
| Duration | As little as 7 days of THC administration (withdrawal onset) |
| Topics | Addiction Cannabis |
| Key findings | Tolerance to many cannabis effects develops and can be lost rapidly, with mechanisms appearing more functional than metabolic and acquisition depending on dose and schedule. Withdrawal after as little as 7 days of THC administration produced a mild, transient syndrome resembling sedative withdrawal in the 120 subjects studied. The authors contend that cannabis-induced "super sensitivity" should be considered when chronic administration is anticipated, as in epilepsy, glaucoma, or chronic pain. |
Abstract
Psychoactive drugs are often widely used before tolerance and dependence is fully appreciated. Tolerance to cannabis-induced cardiovascular and autonomic changes, decreased intraocular pressure, sleep and sleep EEG, mood and behavioral changes is acquired and, to a great degree, lost rapidly with optimal conditions. Mechanisms appear more functional than metabolic. Acquisition rate depends on dose and dose schedule. Dependence, manifested by withdrawal symptoms after as little as 7 days of THC administration, is characterized by irritability, restlessness, insomnia, anorexia, nausea, sweating, salivation, increased body temperature, altered sleep and waking EEG, tremor, and weight loss. Mild and transient in the 120 subjects studied, the syndrome was similar to sedative drug withdrawal. Tolerance to drug side effects can be useful. Tolerance to therapeutic effects or target symptoms poses problems. Clinical significance of dependence is difficult to assess since drug-seeking behavior has many determinants. Cannabis-induced super sensitivity should be considered wherever chronic drug administration is anticipated in conditions like epilepsy, glaucoma or chronic pain. Cannabis pharmacology suggests ways of minimizing tolerance and dependence problems.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies | 2018 | Review | |
| Substance-Induced Psychoses: An Updated Literature Review General (substance-induced psychosis) | 2021 | Narrative review | |
| New psychoactive substances of natural origin: A brief review | 2017 | Review | |
| New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) – a Challenge for the Addiction Treatment Services | 2017 | Review | |
| Classic Psychedelics in Addiction Treatment: The Case for Psilocybin in Tobacco Smoking Cessation | 2022 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 23
- Tolerance and cross-tolerance to neurocognitive effects of THC and alcohol in heavy cannabis users Psychopharmacology October 30, 2010
- Neurophysiological functioning of occasional and heavy cannabis users during THC intoxication Psychopharmacology October 5, 2011
- Repeated Exposure to the “Spice” Cannabinoid JWH-018 Induces Tolerance and Enhances Responsiveness to 5-HT1A Receptor Stimulation in Male Rats Frontiers in Psychiatry February 27, 2018
- Efectos del cannabis sobre la salud mental en jóvenes consumidores Revista de medicina de la Universidad de Navarra October 7, 2016
- Impact of early-life lead exposure on adult delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol sensitivity in male and female C57BL6/J mice. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 2023
and 18 more in the library