Acute psychomotor, memory and subjective effects of MDMA and THC co-administration over time in healthy volunteers

J Psychopharmacol. 2011 Apr;25(4):478-89. doi: 10.1177/0269881110376687. Epub 2010 Sep 3.

Abstract

In Western societies a considerable percentage of young people expose themselves to the combination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or 'ecstasy') and cannabis. The aim of the present study was to assess the acute effects of co-administration of MDMA and THC (the main psychoactive compound of cannabis) on pharmacokinetics, psychomotor performance, memory and subjective experience over time. We performed a four-way, double blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study in 16 healthy volunteers (12 male, four female) between the ages of 18 and 27. MDMA (100 mg) was given orally, THC (4, 6, and 6 mg, interval of 90 min) was vaporized and inhaled. THC induced more robust cognitive impairment compared with MDMA, and co-administration did not exacerbate single drug effects on cognitive function. However, co-administration of THC with MDMA increased desired subjective drug effects and drug strength compared with the MDMA condition, which may explain the widespread use of this combination.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adult
  • Cannabis / metabolism*
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dronabinol / administration & dosage
  • Dronabinol / pharmacokinetics*
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Euphoria / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory / drug effects*
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / administration & dosage
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / pharmacokinetics*
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Placebos
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Placebos
  • Dronabinol
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine