Comparison of tetrahydrocannabinol and synhexyl in man

A synthetic isomer of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was compared to a semisynthetic THC-like compound, synhexyl, in 16 volunteers. THC doses ranged from 341 to 946 µg per kilogram (median 581), while synhexyl doses ranged from 633 to 2,666 µg per kilogram (median 1,370). The clinical syndromes produced by the two drugs were similar, though synhexyl had a slower onset and was only about one third as potent. At higher doses, effects resembled those of psychotomimetics like LSD, but differed in that sedation was prominent, euphoria lasted longer, dreamlike sequences were more pronounced, and there were no sympathomimetic effects.

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Abstract

A synthetic isomer of tetrahydrocannabinol (1‐Δ'‐3,4‐transtetrahydrocannabinol), believed to be identical to the most active naturally occurring THC, was compared with a semisynthetic THC‐like compound, synhexyl. Sixteen volunteer subiects received THC in doses ranging from 341 to 946 p.g per kilo gram (median 581). Thirteen subjects received synhexyl in doses ranging from 633 to 2,666 µg per kilogram (median 1,370). Clinical syndromes tram the 2 drugs were similar, although synhexyl was slower in onset and only about one third as potent. The clinical effects resembled those of psychotomimetics such as LSD, at least at the higher doses. These drugs differed from LSD in the following respects: sedation was prominent; euphoria was langer lasting; dreamlike sequences more pronounced; and physiological and biochemical effects were somewhat different, especially in the absence of sympathomimetic effects.