Studies on Marihuana and Pyrahexyl Compound

Abstract

Human subjects who volunteered for the study were permitted to take synthetic pyrahexyl compound or to smoke marihuana. Six patients took ad libitum doses of pyrahexyl compound for 26-31 days. At first there was euphoria and spontaneous laughter. There was no gross ataxia. The euphoria gave way to general lassitude and carelessness in personal appearance. No adverse behavior was manifested during the period of medication. Comprehension and analytical thinking were made more difficult and powers of concn. and manual dexterity were impaired. Personality changes were in the direction of lessened inhibitions. Elec-troencephalographic records showed a marked slowing of dominant frequencies. When the drug was discontinued, one patient manifested a panic state and another a hypomanic state. Six patients smoked marihuana ad libitum for 39 days. Principal early effects were exhilaration and euphoria, which were replaced by general lassitude, indifference and lack of productive activity. Body hydration was unaffected. Psychologic aspects were similar to those produced by pyrahexyl compound. Musical ability was not improved despite subjective reports to the contrary. Although tolerance apparently developed to both substances, physical dependence was not established. Acute studies (smoking 2-3 cigarettes) showed no change in [alpha] frequencies but a lowering in a percentage. Touch, vibration, two-point discrimination and small thresholds were not affected, but time estimation was impaired and in 3 of 12 subjects auditory acuity was improved. One unstable patient developed a transient psychotic episode after smoking 3 marihuana cigarettes.