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  • Cited by 113
  • Cited by
    Crossref Citations
    Crossref logo
    This article has been cited by the following publications. This list is generated based on data provided by CrossRef.
    Calabrese, Edward J. and Rubio-Casillas, Alberto 2018. Biphasic effects of THC in memory and cognition. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, Vol. 48, Issue. 5, p. e12920.
    Pauselli, Luca 2018. The Complex Connection Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia. p. 183.
    Bawin, Frédérique 2018. Medisch gebruik van cannabis en zijn psychoactieve werking: een paradox?. Verslaving, Vol. 14, Issue. 1, p. 3.
    Hindocha, C. Freeman, T. P. Grabski, M. Crudgington, H. Davies, A. C. Stroud, J. B. Das, R. K. Lawn, W. Morgan, C. J. A. and Curran, H. V. 2018. The effects of cannabidiol on impulsivity and memory during abstinence in cigarette dependent smokers. Scientific Reports, Vol. 8, Issue. 1,
    Solowij, Nadia 2018. The Complex Connection Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia. p. 129.
    Deiana, Serena and Zamberletti, Erica 2018. The Complex Connection Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia. p. 309.
    Boggs, Douglas L Nguyen, Jacques D Morgenson, Daralyn Taffe, Michael A and Ranganathan, Mohini 2018. Clinical and Preclinical Evidence for Functional Interactions of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. Neuropsychopharmacology, Vol. 43, Issue. 1, p. 142.
    Casey, Sherelle and Vaughan, Christopher 2018. Plant-Based Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Medicines, Vol. 5, Issue. 3, p. 67.
    Jikomes, Nick and Zoorob, Michael 2018. The Cannabinoid Content of Legal Cannabis in Washington State Varies Systematically Across Testing Facilities and Popular Consumer Products. Scientific Reports, Vol. 8, Issue. 1,
    Boggs, Douglas L. Surti, Toral Gupta, Aarti Gupta, Swapnil Niciu, Mark Pittman, Brian Schnakenberg Martin, Ashley M. Thurnauer, Halle Davies, Andrew D’Souza, Deepak C. and Ranganathan, Mohini 2018. The effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on cognition and symptoms in outpatients with chronic schizophrenia a randomized placebo controlled trial. Psychopharmacology, Vol. 235, Issue. 7, p. 1923.
    Hahn, Britta 2018. The Potential of Cannabidiol Treatment for Cannabis Users With Recent-Onset Psychosis. Schizophrenia Bulletin, Vol. 44, Issue. 1, p. 46.
    Cosker, E. Schwitzer, T. Ramoz, N. Ligier, F. Lalanne, L. Gorwood, P. Schwan, R. and Laprévote, V. 2018. The effect of interactions between genetics and cannabis use on neurocognition. A review. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 82, Issue. , p. 95.
    Scott, J. Cobb Slomiak, Samantha T. Jones, Jason D. Rosen, Adon F. G. Moore, Tyler M. and Gur, Ruben C. 2018. Association of Cannabis With Cognitive Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults. JAMA Psychiatry, Vol. 75, Issue. 6, p. 585.
    Gruber, Staci A. Sagar, Kelly A. Dahlgren, Mary K. Gonenc, Atilla Smith, Rosemary T. Lambros, Ashley M. Cabrera, Korine B. and Lukas, Scott E. 2018. The Grass Might Be Greener: Medical Marijuana Patients Exhibit Altered Brain Activity and Improved Executive Function after 3 Months of Treatment. Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol. 8, Issue. ,
    Javadi-Paydar, Mehrak Nguyen, Jacques D. Kerr, Tony M. Grant, Yanabel Vandewater, Sophia A. Cole, Maury and Taffe, Michael A. 2018. Effects of Δ9-THC and cannabidiol vapor inhalation in male and female rats. Psychopharmacology,
    Kamboj, Sunjeev K. Walldén, Ylva S. E. Falconer, Caroline J. Alotaibi, Majdah Raji Blagbrough, Ian S. Husbands, Stephen M. and Freeman, Tom P. 2018. Additive Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Compassionate Imagery on Self-Compassion in Recreational Users of Ecstasy. Mindfulness, Vol. 9, Issue. 4, p. 1134.
    Solowij, Nadia Broyd, Samantha J. Beale, Camilla Prick, Julie-Anne Greenwood, Lisa-marie van Hell, Hendrika Suo, Chao Galettis, Peter Pai, Nagesh Fu, Shanlin Croft, Rodney J. Martin, Jennifer H. and Yücel, Murat 2018. Therapeutic Effects of Prolonged Cannabidiol Treatment on Psychological Symptoms and Cognitive Function in Regular Cannabis Users: A Pragmatic Open-Label Clinical Trial. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, Vol. 3, Issue. 1, p. 21.
    Ferland, Jacqueline-Marie N. Carr, Madison R. Lee, Angela M. Hoogeland, Myrthe E. Winstanley, Catharine A. and Pattij, Tommy 2018. Examination of the effects of cannabinoid ligands on decision making in a rat gambling task. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 170, Issue. , p. 87.
    Uhernik, A.L. Montoya, Z.T. Balkissoon, C.D. and Smith, J.P. 2018. Learning and memory is modulated by cannabidiol when administered during trace fear-conditioning. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Vol. 149, Issue. , p. 68.
    Ribeiro, Sidarta 2018. Plant Medicines, Healing and Psychedelic Science. p. 133.
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Impact of cannabidiol on the acute memory and psychotomimetic effects of smoked cannabis: naturalistic study

  • Celia J. A. Morgan (a1), Gráinne Schafer (a1), Tom P. Freeman (a1) and H. Valerie Curran (a1)
Abstract
Background

The two main constituents of cannabis, cannabidiol and δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have opposing effects both pharmacologically and behaviourally when administered in the laboratory. Street cannabis is known to contain varying levels of each cannabinoid.

 Aims

To study how the varying levels of cannabidiol and THC have an impact on the acute effects of the drug in naturalistic settings.

 Method

Cannabis users (n = 134) were tested 7 days apart on measures of memory and psychotomimetic symptoms, once while they were drug free and once while acutely intoxicated by their own chosen smoked cannabis. Using an unprecedented methodology, a sample of cannabis (as well as saliva) was collected from each user and analysed for levels of cannabinoids. On the basis of highest and lowest cannabidiol content of cannabis, two groups of individuals were directly compared.

 Results

Groups did not differ in the THC content of the cannabis they smoked. Unlike the marked impairment in prose recall of individuals who smoked cannabis low in cannabidiol, participants smoking cannabis high in cannabidiol showed no memory impairment. Cannabidiol content did not affect psychotomimetic symptoms, which were elevated in both groups when intoxicated.

 Conclusions

The antagonistic effects of cannabidiol at the CB1 receptor are probably responsible for its profile in smoked cannabis, attenuating the memory-impairing effects of THC. In terms of harm reduction, users should be made aware of the higher risk of memory impairment associated with smoking low-cannabidiol strains of cannabis like ‘skunk’ and encouraged to use strains containing higher levels of cannabidiol.
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Copyright
COPYRIGHT: © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2010 
Corresponding author
H. Valerie Curran, Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Health Psychology, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK. Email: v.curran@ucl.ac.uk
Footnotes
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†

See editorial, pp. 259–260, this issue.

*

This paper has been corrected in deviation from print and in accordance with a correction published in the November 2010 issue of the Journal.

This work was funded by a grant to H.V.C. and C.J.A.M. from the Medical Research Council (UK).

Declaration of interest

None.

Footnotes
References
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  • Cited by 113
  • Cited by
    Crossref Citations
    Crossref logo
    This article has been cited by the following publications. This list is generated based on data provided by CrossRef.
    Calabrese, Edward J. and Rubio-Casillas, Alberto 2018. Biphasic effects of THC in memory and cognition. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, Vol. 48, Issue. 5, p. e12920.
    Pauselli, Luca 2018. The Complex Connection Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia. p. 183.
    Bawin, Frédérique 2018. Medisch gebruik van cannabis en zijn psychoactieve werking: een paradox?. Verslaving, Vol. 14, Issue. 1, p. 3.
    Hindocha, C. Freeman, T. P. Grabski, M. Crudgington, H. Davies, A. C. Stroud, J. B. Das, R. K. Lawn, W. Morgan, C. J. A. and Curran, H. V. 2018. The effects of cannabidiol on impulsivity and memory during abstinence in cigarette dependent smokers. Scientific Reports, Vol. 8, Issue. 1,
    Solowij, Nadia 2018. The Complex Connection Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia. p. 129.
    Deiana, Serena and Zamberletti, Erica 2018. The Complex Connection Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia. p. 309.
    Boggs, Douglas L Nguyen, Jacques D Morgenson, Daralyn Taffe, Michael A and Ranganathan, Mohini 2018. Clinical and Preclinical Evidence for Functional Interactions of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. Neuropsychopharmacology, Vol. 43, Issue. 1, p. 142.
    Casey, Sherelle and Vaughan, Christopher 2018. Plant-Based Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Medicines, Vol. 5, Issue. 3, p. 67.
    Jikomes, Nick and Zoorob, Michael 2018. The Cannabinoid Content of Legal Cannabis in Washington State Varies Systematically Across Testing Facilities and Popular Consumer Products. Scientific Reports, Vol. 8, Issue. 1,
    Boggs, Douglas L. Surti, Toral Gupta, Aarti Gupta, Swapnil Niciu, Mark Pittman, Brian Schnakenberg Martin, Ashley M. Thurnauer, Halle Davies, Andrew D’Souza, Deepak C. and Ranganathan, Mohini 2018. The effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on cognition and symptoms in outpatients with chronic schizophrenia a randomized placebo controlled trial. Psychopharmacology, Vol. 235, Issue. 7, p. 1923.
    Hahn, Britta 2018. The Potential of Cannabidiol Treatment for Cannabis Users With Recent-Onset Psychosis. Schizophrenia Bulletin, Vol. 44, Issue. 1, p. 46.
    Cosker, E. Schwitzer, T. Ramoz, N. Ligier, F. Lalanne, L. Gorwood, P. Schwan, R. and Laprévote, V. 2018. The effect of interactions between genetics and cannabis use on neurocognition. A review. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 82, Issue. , p. 95.
    Scott, J. Cobb Slomiak, Samantha T. Jones, Jason D. Rosen, Adon F. G. Moore, Tyler M. and Gur, Ruben C. 2018. Association of Cannabis With Cognitive Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults. JAMA Psychiatry, Vol. 75, Issue. 6, p. 585.
    Gruber, Staci A. Sagar, Kelly A. Dahlgren, Mary K. Gonenc, Atilla Smith, Rosemary T. Lambros, Ashley M. Cabrera, Korine B. and Lukas, Scott E. 2018. The Grass Might Be Greener: Medical Marijuana Patients Exhibit Altered Brain Activity and Improved Executive Function after 3 Months of Treatment. Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol. 8, Issue. ,
    Javadi-Paydar, Mehrak Nguyen, Jacques D. Kerr, Tony M. Grant, Yanabel Vandewater, Sophia A. Cole, Maury and Taffe, Michael A. 2018. Effects of Δ9-THC and cannabidiol vapor inhalation in male and female rats. Psychopharmacology,
    Kamboj, Sunjeev K. Walldén, Ylva S. E. Falconer, Caroline J. Alotaibi, Majdah Raji Blagbrough, Ian S. Husbands, Stephen M. and Freeman, Tom P. 2018. Additive Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Compassionate Imagery on Self-Compassion in Recreational Users of Ecstasy. Mindfulness, Vol. 9, Issue. 4, p. 1134.
    Solowij, Nadia Broyd, Samantha J. Beale, Camilla Prick, Julie-Anne Greenwood, Lisa-marie van Hell, Hendrika Suo, Chao Galettis, Peter Pai, Nagesh Fu, Shanlin Croft, Rodney J. Martin, Jennifer H. and Yücel, Murat 2018. Therapeutic Effects of Prolonged Cannabidiol Treatment on Psychological Symptoms and Cognitive Function in Regular Cannabis Users: A Pragmatic Open-Label Clinical Trial. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, Vol. 3, Issue. 1, p. 21.
    Ferland, Jacqueline-Marie N. Carr, Madison R. Lee, Angela M. Hoogeland, Myrthe E. Winstanley, Catharine A. and Pattij, Tommy 2018. Examination of the effects of cannabinoid ligands on decision making in a rat gambling task. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 170, Issue. , p. 87.
    Uhernik, A.L. Montoya, Z.T. Balkissoon, C.D. and Smith, J.P. 2018. Learning and memory is modulated by cannabidiol when administered during trace fear-conditioning. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Vol. 149, Issue. , p. 68.
    Ribeiro, Sidarta 2018. Plant Medicines, Healing and Psychedelic Science. p. 133.
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Impact of cannabidiol on the acute memory and psychotomimetic effects of smoked cannabis: naturalistic study

  • Celia J. A. Morgan (a1), Gráinne Schafer (a1), Tom P. Freeman (a1) and H. Valerie Curran (a1)
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