Morphine-dependent rats: blockade of precipitated abstinence by tetrahydrocannabinol

Science. 1975 Feb 7;187(4175):443-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1167428.

Abstract

Male rats were implanted subcutaneously with a pellet containg 75 milligrams of morphine base or placebo, and naloxone hydrochloride (4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight) was administered 72 hours later. Treatment with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (2, 5, or 10 milligrams per kilogram) 1 hour before maloxone administration significantly reduced the intensity of abstinence; the two higher doses blocked the appearance of wet shakes and escapes, diarrhea, and increased defecation. delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol did not induce abstinence itself, and prior treatment with cannabidiol was ineffective in reducing naloxoneprecipitated abstinence in animals with morphine pellets. These data suggest that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol may be of value in facilitating narcotic detoxification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cannabis / therapeutic use*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology
  • Dronabinol / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morphine Dependence*
  • Naloxone / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Placebos
  • Rats
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Placebos
  • Naloxone
  • Dronabinol