Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol stimulates receptive and proceptive sexual behaviors in female hamsters

This experiment studied the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on lordosis responses and ultrasonic communication (measures of sexual receptivity and proceptivity, respectively) in female hamsters. Specifically, lordosis durations and rates of ultrasound production by estradiol-primed ovariectomized hamsters were observed following acute treatment with 1.5 mg/kg of THC, 500 micrograms of progesterone, or the injection vehicle. The results showed that THC can facilitate both lordosis and ultrasound production. Together with results from other laboratories, these data indicate that THC can stimulate female sexual behavior and suggest that this effect reflects a direct, nonhormonal, effect of THC on brain mechanisms for behavior.