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Tolerance to marijuana: heart rate and subjective "high"
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|November 1, 1977
Summary
This study found that regular marijuana smoking leads to decreased heart rate and less intense highs over time, indicating tolerance development. Both light and heavy smokers experienced these effects, along with minor withdrawal symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cannabis research
- Pharmacology
- Human physiology
Background:
- Understanding the physiological and subjective effects of cannabis is crucial.
- Investigating tolerance development in response to regular cannabinoid consumption is an ongoing area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effects of supervised marijuana smoking over a 94-day period.
- To assess changes in heart rate and subjective high, and to identify tolerance and withdrawal patterns.
Main Methods:
- A 94-day supervised study involving 30 subjects who smoked marijuana.
- Inclusion of interspersed drug-free periods to observe withdrawal and re-initiation effects.
- Monitoring of mean heart rate and subjective "high" ratings.
Main Results:
- A decrease in mean heart rate and subjective "high" was observed over the smoking period, indicating tolerance.
- Light smokers exhibited greater initial chronotropic and subjective effects compared to heavy smokers.
- Evidence of tolerance was present in both light and heavy smokers, with minor cumulation and withdrawal effects noted.
Conclusions:
- Regular marijuana smoking induces tolerance to its cardiovascular and subjective effects.
- Individual differences in smoking patterns (light vs. heavy) influence the magnitude of acute effects but not the development of tolerance.
- Cannabis use can lead to minor withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.