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Intoxication by a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018) causes cognitive and psychomotor impairment in recreational cannabis users.
- Source :
-
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior [Pharmacol Biochem Behav] 2021 Mar; Vol. 202, pp. 173118. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jan 23. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background: Smoking mixtures containing synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) have become very popular over the last years but pose a serious risk for public health. Limited knowledge is, however, available regarding the acute effects of SCs on cognition and psychomotor performance. Earlier we demonstrated signs of impairment in healthy volunteers after administering one of the first SCs, JWH-018, even though subjective intoxication was low. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the acute effects of JWH-018 on several cognitive and psychomotor tasks in participants who are demonstrating representative levels of acute intoxication.<br />Methods: 24 healthy cannabis-experienced participants took part in this placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Participants inhaled the vapor of 75 μg JWH-018/kg body weight and were given a booster dose if needed to induce a minimum level of subjective high. They were subsequently monitored for 4 h, during which psychomotor and cognitive performance, vital signs, and subjective experience were measured, and serum concentrations were determined.<br />Results: Maximum subjective high (average 64%) was reached 30 min after administration of JWH-018, while the maximum blood concentration was shown after 5 min (8 ng/mL). JWH-018 impaired motor coordination (CTT), attention (DAT and SST), memory (SMT), it lowered speed-accuracy efficiency (MFFT) and slowed down response speed (DAT).<br />Conclusion: In accordance with our previous studies, we demonstrated acute psychomotor and cognitive effects of a relatively low dose of JWH-018.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Administration, Inhalation
Adult
Attention drug effects
Cannabinoids administration & dosage
Cannabinoids blood
Cognition drug effects
Cognitive Dysfunction blood
Cross-Over Studies
Double-Blind Method
Female
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Illicit Drugs blood
Indoles administration & dosage
Indoles blood
Male
Naphthalenes administration & dosage
Naphthalenes blood
Plant Extracts administration & dosage
Plant Extracts blood
Psychomotor Disorders blood
Psychomotor Performance drug effects
Reaction Time drug effects
Spatial Memory drug effects
Synthetic Drugs administration & dosage
Young Adult
Cannabinoids toxicity
Cannabis chemistry
Cognitive Dysfunction chemically induced
Illicit Drugs toxicity
Indoles toxicity
Naphthalenes toxicity
Plant Extracts toxicity
Psychomotor Disorders chemically induced
Recreational Drug Use psychology
Synthetic Drugs toxicity
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1873-5177
- Volume :
- 202
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33497715
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173118