The altered state of consciousness induced by Δ9-THC.

THC, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, produces altered states of consciousness that share features with those induced by classical psychedelics. In 25 healthy, infrequent cannabis users, oral doses of 7.5 and 15 mg THC dose-dependently increased measures of altered states, including insightfulness, mindfulness, and mind-wandering, and increased language entropy, a pattern previously reported with LSD. The findings suggest overlapping neurophysiological mechanisms between THC and psychedelics, but future work must determine whether reported increases in mindfulness or insight reflect genuine enhancement of conscious awareness or a psychotomimetic state such as delusional thinking.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Altered states of consciousness (ASC) provide an opportunity for researchers to study the neurophysiological basis of changes in phenomenal experience. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis, however whether the effects of THC include ASC features that are shared with other ASC induction mechanisms, such as classical psychedelics, has not been systematically addressed. We used survey (11D-ASC; State Mindfulness), self-report, and natural language processing (NLP) to assess 7.5 and 15 mg oral THC, relative to placebo, in 25 healthy, infrequent cannabis users. THC dose-dependently increased measures of ASC including Insightfulness, and increased ratings of mindfulness and mind-wandering. THC also increased language entropy as previously reported for LSD. Future studies may seek to determine whether reports of increased mindfulness or insight after THC are primarily representative of a psychotomimetic state (i.e., delusional thinking) or conversely, reflect an enhancement of conscious awareness that may be validated empirically.