delta 1-Tetrahydrocannabinol but not cannabidiol reduces contact and aggressive behavior of rats tested in dyadic encounters.
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.
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012919:Social Behavior; D012934:Social Isolation
D002186:Cannabinoids; D002185:Cannabidiol; D013759:Dronabinol