Δ¹-Tetrahydrocannabinol, synhexyl and marijuana extract administered orally in man: Catecholamine excretion, plasma cortisol levels and platelet serotonin content

Abstract

Measurements of catecholamine excretion, plasma cortisol and platelet serotonin concentration were done in the course of experiments in which human volunteers were given sizable oral doses of Δ′-tetrahydrocannabinol, synhexyl or marijuana extracts. A transient rise in epinephrine excretion was observed following THC but seemed best explained by the anticipatory stress of the experiment or the rapid onset of unfamiliar symptoms. A decreased turnover of catecholamines or a shift in the degradative pathways of catecholamines from the oxidative to the reductive route was suggested by the decrease in VMA excretion following synhexyl. Plasma cortisol was unchanged except in the presence of clinically obvious psychological distress on the part of the patient. Platelet serotonin was unchanged.

The lack of major effects of marijuana-like drugs on these and other clinical measurement of stress corroborates the clinical observation that drugs of this type seem to be less stressful than the usual psychotomimetics. The pronounced euphoriant and sedative effect of marijunana may ameliorate the stress of the psychotomimetic experience.