Frontiers in adolescent medicine
January 1, 2025
K J Paige, A S Weigard, O Ajilore et al.
A double-blind experiment gave 30 occasional to regular cannabis users (ages 18-25) either 7.5 mg oral THC or placebo, then tested them on a Go/No Go task at peak drug effect. Overall, THC did not significantly alter cognitive efficiency, response caution, or motor response execution compared to placebo. However, THC increased between-person variability in cognitive efficiency and nondecision time, indicating heterogeneous effects. Participants with less cannabis use history showed greater weakening of cognitive efficiency (slower drift rates) under THC. Stronger subjective drug effects (feeling of drug effect and high) were also linked to poorer cognitive efficiency during intoxication. The findings suggest that tolerance to cannabis reduces the acute cognitive impairment from THC.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
September 1, 2023
H De Wit, M Heilig, A K Bershad
High doses of psychedelic drugs activate autonomic and hormonal stress responses. Acute stress, for evolutionarily adaptive reasons, instills meaning in the immediate context and leads to the formation of salient, lasting memories of surrounding events. The stress-inducing effect of psychedelic drugs may therefore contribute to the reported sense of meaning and the durability of memories from the drug experience. In therapeutic contexts, this could enhance the salience of insights gained and strengthen memories formed. Future empirical studies are needed to determine whether acute stress contributes to the emotional significance and lasting effects of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
Drug and alcohol dependence
February 1, 1993
C S Dohrn, J L Lichtor, D W Coalson et al.
In healthy volunteers, inhaling 30% nitrous oxide was chosen no more often than oxygen (41.6% choice rate), showing it was not more reinforcing. Inhaling 40% nitrous oxide was chosen significantly less often than oxygen (22% choice rate), indicating it was less reinforcing. Nitrous oxide produced robust subjective effects such as increased ratings of 'high,' 'tingling,' and 'dizzy.' Subjects who chose nitrous oxide reported pleasant effects and liked it, while those who chose placebo reported unpleasant effects and disliked it. Both concentrations impaired psychomotor performance in all subjects. The lack of reinforcing effects is discussed in light of nitrous oxide's known abuse potential.