Interactions between opioids and cannabinoids: Economic demand for opioid/cannabinoid mixtures

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Opioid abuse is a major public health concern.
• Co-administration of opioids with novel psychoactive substances, such as synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., JWH-018), is increasing.
• This poly-drug use may elevate risks for abuse and adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if JWH-018 alters the reinforcing effectiveness of remifentanil.
• To assess the abuse potential of combined opioid and synthetic cannabinoid administration.

Main Methods:

• Rhesus monkeys (n=4) self-administered remifentanil and/or JWH-018 intravenously.
• Economic demand analysis was used, plotting drug consumption against increasing price (fixed-ratio value).

Main Results:

• Remifentanil alone produced the highest consumption and essential value.
• JWH-018 alone showed lower unconstrained demand and essential value.
• The remifentanil/JWH-018 mixture had lower unconstrained demand than remifentanil alone, with similar essential value.

Conclusions:

• JWH-018 may decrease opioid consumption at low costs but does not enhance reinforcing effectiveness.
• Opioid/cannabinoid mixtures do not demonstrate increased or decreased abuse potential compared to opioids alone.