title: Sex differences in the subjective effects of oral Δ9-THC in cannabis users.
abstract: Previous studies suggest that there are sex differences in endocannabinoid function and the response to exogenous cannabinoids, though data from clinical studies comparing acute cannabinoid effects in men and women under controlled laboratory conditions are limited. To further explore these potential differences, data from 30 cannabis users (N=18 M, 12 F) who completed previous Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) discrimination studies were combined for this retrospective analysis. In each study, subjects learned to discriminate between oral Δ9-THC and placebo and then received a range of Δ9-THC doses (0, 5, 15 and a "high" dose of either 25 or 30mg). Responses on a drug-discrimination task, subjective effects questionnaire, psychomotor performance tasks, and physiological measures were assessed. Δ9-THC dose-dependently increased drug-appropriate responding, ratings on "positive" Visual Analog Scale (VAS) items (e.g., good effects, like drug, take again), and items related to intoxication (e.g., high, stoned). Δ9-THC also dose-dependently impaired performance on psychomotor tasks and elevated heart rate. Sex differences on VAS items emerged as a function of dose. Women exhibited significantly greater subjective responses to oral drug administration than men at the 5mg Δ9-THC dose, whereas men were more sensitive to the subjective effects of the 15mg dose of Δ9-THC than women. These results demonstrate dose-dependent separation in the subjective response to oral Δ9-THC administration by sex, which might contribute to the differential development of problematic cannabis use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, 106-B Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, United States.
authors.forename: Jessica S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fogel
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, College of Medicine Office Building, Lexington, KY 40536-0086, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, 106-B Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 3470 Blazer Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40509-1810, United States.
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, 111 Washington Ave, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
authors.forename: Philip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Westgate
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, College of Medicine Office Building, Lexington, KY 40536-0086, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, 106-B Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 3470 Blazer Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40509-1810, United States. Electronic address: jalile2@email.uky.edu.
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lile
mesh_terms: D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013759:Dronabinol
keywords: Cannabis; Drug-discrimination; Gender; Marijuana; Self-report