Protocol for a mobile laboratory study of co-administration of cannabis concentrates with a standard alcohol dose in humans.

Cannabis is commonly used among people who drink alcohol, yet evidence on acute effects of co-use is conflicting. Two important variables that may influence the effects of cannabis and alcohol are cannabinoid content (i.e., the ratio of cannabidiol [CBD] and 9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) as well as...

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Main Authors: Hollis C Karoly, Mark A Prince, Noah N Emery, Emma E Smith, Cianna J Piercey, Bradley T Conner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277123
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author Hollis C Karoly
Mark A Prince
Noah N Emery
Emma E Smith
Cianna J Piercey
Bradley T Conner
author_facet Hollis C Karoly
Mark A Prince
Noah N Emery
Emma E Smith
Cianna J Piercey
Bradley T Conner
author_sort Hollis C Karoly
collection DOAJ
description Cannabis is commonly used among people who drink alcohol, yet evidence on acute effects of co-use is conflicting. Two important variables that may influence the effects of cannabis and alcohol are cannabinoid content (i.e., the ratio of cannabidiol [CBD] and 9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) as well as the order of use (i.e., cannabis before alcohol vs. alcohol before cannabis). Research is mixed regarding the acute imapct of cannabis on alcohol consumption and intoxication, with some studies suggesting additive effects of alcohol and cannabis, and others demonstrating negligible effects of combining these substances. Further complicating this, high-THC-content cannabis concentrates are increasingly popular on the legal-market, but to our knowledge, no studies have explored concentrate and alcohol co-use. In addition to cannabinoid content, order of use may influence intoxication and other acute effects, but is also understudied. Co-use studies typically administer a fixed dose of alcohol before cannabis, and there is a lack of data on the acute effects of cannabis before alcohol. Thus, there is a need for experimental co-use studies exploring the impact of cannabinoid content (particularly of highly potent cannabis concentrates) and order effects on intoxication. This study uses a federally-compliant mobile laboratory procedure to explore the effects of co-administration of legal-market cannabis concentrates with a moderate alcohol dose (.8g/kg) in a sample of community participants who regularly use alcohol and cannabis. The study will also explore alcohol and cannabis order effects (cannabis before alcohol vs. alcohol before cannabis). Outcomes are objective intoxication (measured using blood cannabinoid level, heart rate, psychomotor performance and breath alcohol level [BrAC]) and subjective intoxication (assessed via self-report measures). Overall, this study may influence harm-reduction recommendations for individuals who drink alcohol and use cannabis.
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spelling doaj.art-ac2a3138e1e8478083341c95b09a05b52022-12-22T04:16:05ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-011711e027712310.1371/journal.pone.0277123Protocol for a mobile laboratory study of co-administration of cannabis concentrates with a standard alcohol dose in humans.Hollis C KarolyMark A PrinceNoah N EmeryEmma E SmithCianna J PierceyBradley T ConnerCannabis is commonly used among people who drink alcohol, yet evidence on acute effects of co-use is conflicting. Two important variables that may influence the effects of cannabis and alcohol are cannabinoid content (i.e., the ratio of cannabidiol [CBD] and 9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) as well as the order of use (i.e., cannabis before alcohol vs. alcohol before cannabis). Research is mixed regarding the acute imapct of cannabis on alcohol consumption and intoxication, with some studies suggesting additive effects of alcohol and cannabis, and others demonstrating negligible effects of combining these substances. Further complicating this, high-THC-content cannabis concentrates are increasingly popular on the legal-market, but to our knowledge, no studies have explored concentrate and alcohol co-use. In addition to cannabinoid content, order of use may influence intoxication and other acute effects, but is also understudied. Co-use studies typically administer a fixed dose of alcohol before cannabis, and there is a lack of data on the acute effects of cannabis before alcohol. Thus, there is a need for experimental co-use studies exploring the impact of cannabinoid content (particularly of highly potent cannabis concentrates) and order effects on intoxication. This study uses a federally-compliant mobile laboratory procedure to explore the effects of co-administration of legal-market cannabis concentrates with a moderate alcohol dose (.8g/kg) in a sample of community participants who regularly use alcohol and cannabis. The study will also explore alcohol and cannabis order effects (cannabis before alcohol vs. alcohol before cannabis). Outcomes are objective intoxication (measured using blood cannabinoid level, heart rate, psychomotor performance and breath alcohol level [BrAC]) and subjective intoxication (assessed via self-report measures). Overall, this study may influence harm-reduction recommendations for individuals who drink alcohol and use cannabis.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277123
spellingShingle Hollis C Karoly
Mark A Prince
Noah N Emery
Emma E Smith
Cianna J Piercey
Bradley T Conner
Protocol for a mobile laboratory study of co-administration of cannabis concentrates with a standard alcohol dose in humans.
PLoS ONE
title Protocol for a mobile laboratory study of co-administration of cannabis concentrates with a standard alcohol dose in humans.
title_full Protocol for a mobile laboratory study of co-administration of cannabis concentrates with a standard alcohol dose in humans.
title_fullStr Protocol for a mobile laboratory study of co-administration of cannabis concentrates with a standard alcohol dose in humans.
title_full_unstemmed Protocol for a mobile laboratory study of co-administration of cannabis concentrates with a standard alcohol dose in humans.
title_short Protocol for a mobile laboratory study of co-administration of cannabis concentrates with a standard alcohol dose in humans.
title_sort protocol for a mobile laboratory study of co administration of cannabis concentrates with a standard alcohol dose in humans
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277123
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