Skip to main content
Log in

(−)δ9 THC as an hypnotic

An experimental study of three dose levels

Psychopharmacologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

(−)δ 9 THC was found to significantly decrease the time it takes to fall asleep in physically healthy insomniacs. Once asleep, interruptions of sleep were not significantly altered over the whole night. The (−)δ 9 THC tended to be associated with some decrease in awakenings in the first half of the night.

The primary side effect experienced by the subjects at all dose levels in the Pre-Sleep phase was temporal disorganization and mood alterations. There was an increase in intensity of side effects and number of subjects affected with increasing dosage.

The most significant side effect, however, was a “hangover” phenomenon, or continued “high” the next day, with some residual of temporal disorganization. It increased in intensity and duration with increase in dosage. This “hangover” seems severe enough to eliminate the consideration of the 30 mg dose range of (−)δ 9 THC for clinical use as an hypnotic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Hollister, L. E.: Marijuana in man: Three years later (1970)

  2. Grinspoon, L.: Marihuana reconsidered. Cambridge: Harvard University Press 1971

    Google Scholar 

  3. Isbell, H., Jasinski, D. J., Gorodetzsky, C. W.: Studies on tetrahydrocannabinol. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 11, 184 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hollister, L. E., Moore, F., Kantor, S.: Tetrahydrocannabinol, synhexyl and marihuana extract administered orally in mans catecholamine excretion, plasma cortisol levels and platelet serotonin content. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 17, 354–360 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Melges, F. T., Tinklenberg, J. R., Hollister, L. E.: Temporal disintegration and depersonalization during marihuana intoxication. Arch. gen. Psychiat. 23, 204–210 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kales, A., Hanley, J., Rickles, W.: Effects on marihuana administration and withdrawal in chronic users and naive subjects. Presented at First International Congress of the Association of the Psychophysiological Study of Sleep. June 1971

  7. Personal communication from L. E. Hollister, June 1971

  8. Melges, F. T., Tinklenberg, J., Hollister, L. E.: Marihuana and temporal disintegration. Science 168, 1118–1120 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Melges, F. T., Tinklenberg, J. R., Hollister, L. E.: Marihuana and the temporal span of awareness. Arch. gen. Psychiat. 24, 564–567 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Pivik, R. T., Zarcone, V., Dement, W. C.: Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol and synhexl: Effects on human sleep patterns. (In press.)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Dr. Cousens is a 3rd Year Resident in Psychiatry at the Napa State Hospital, Napa, California

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cousens, K., DiMascio, A. (−)δ9 THC as an hypnotic. Psychopharmacologia 33, 355–364 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00437513

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00437513

Key words

Navigation