Marihuana cigarettes containing 1.32%, 1.97%, and 2.54% delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were smoked by six experienced marihuana users at weekly intervals in a double-blind cross-over design under laboratory conditions. Puff duration, number of puffs taken, duration of inhalation holding, interval between puffs, and duration of smoking were recorded for each cigarette smoked. The portion of each cigarette remaining after smoking was weighed and analyzed to determine THC content. Subjective ratings of the "high" achieved and the heart rate acceleration induced by smoking the marihuana were measured. The plasma concentrations of THC and of its principle metabolite, 11-nor-delta 9-THC-9-carboxylic acid (9-carboxy THC), were determined by radioimmunoassay of blood samples drawn at frequent intervals for 6 hr. The results indicate that, irrespective of the potency of the marihuana, the pattern of smoking was much the same. The magnitude of the subjective high, heart rate acceleration, THC, and 9-carboxy THC plasma concentrations were proportional to potency. This dose response was particularly clear between the 1.32% and the 2.54% cigarettes. Peak plasma concentrations of THC consistently occurred 7 to 8 min after initiation of smoking and declined thereafter despite continued smoking for another 6 to 10 min. Peak subjective high and peak heart rate acceleration occurred several minutes after the end of smoking and at a considerable interval after maximal THC plasma concentrations were reached.
Six healthy male, paid subjects smoked 50 mg of free-base cocaine in a specially designed glass pipe under a rigidly controlled smoking protocol. The method of heating the pipe and the temperature that produced the most efficient and consistent vaporization of the drug had been determined experimentally. The psychological and cardiovascular effects of smoking free-base cocaine were recorded. Approximately 26% of th original material was recovered from the pipe after smoking. Simulated smoking experiments in vitro indicated that only 44% of the material not trapped in the pipe was cocaine and that over 90% of this cocaine was delivered during the first four puffs (i.e., during the first 2 min of simulated smoking). These findings indicate that of the original 50 mg of cocaine free base placed in the pipe's bowl, only 32% could have been inhaled (16.3 +/- 0.6 mg). The cocaine free base inhaled induced psychological and cardiovascular effects similar to, or slightly more intense and pleasurable than, the effects of 20 mg of cocaine HCl (18 mg of cocaine base) taken intravenously by the same subjects and also induced a slightly more intense craving for another dose.
We have studied the dynamics of marihuana smoking, the plasma concentration of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and the pharmacologic effects produced by the sequential smoking of two 1% marihuana cigarettes at a 2‐hour interval. Three males and three females, experienced marihuana smokers, participated in the study. The results indicate that each subject smoked his or her two cigarettes at a similar rate. The THC plasma concentrations produced by the smoking of the second cigarette were slightly lower than those produced by the first cigarette. The levels of the psychologic “high” caused by the two cigarettes were similar. However, the first cigarette accelerated the heart twice as much as the second cigarette. Between males and females there were marked differences in the rate at which the cigarettes were smoked. In particular, males took more puffs, took them more often, and consumed the cigarettes more rapidly than females. The plasma concentrations of THC, the self‐reported psychologic effects, and the heart rate acceleration produced by the smoking of the two cigarettes were identical between the sexes.
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