Effects of marijuana on testosterone in male subjects

J Theor Biol. 1983 Oct 21;104(4):685-92. doi: 10.1016/0022-5193(83)90255-2.

Abstract

Clinical studies have given contradictory reports on the effect of smoking marijuana on the plasma levels of testosterone in males. A reanalysis of existing data established that testosterone levels are depressed both after smoking one marijuana cigarette and after intravenous infusion of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a pharmacologically active component of marijuana. Simulation of the marijuana interaction, under the assumption that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits testosterone production or secretion, suggests a minimum of 24 hours are required for testosterone to return to pre-smoking levels. A series of clinical studies are specified to clarify the nature of the interaction.

MeSH terms

  • Cannabis*
  • Depression, Chemical
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology*
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Testosterone / blood*

Substances

  • Testosterone
  • Dronabinol