Jones RT, Maddock R, Rarrell TR, Herning R.
“Marijuana And Human Thermoregulation In A Hot Environment”.
Thermoregulatory Mechanisms and Their Therapeutic Implications (eds. B. Cox, Manchester; P. Lomax, Los Angeles, Calif.; A.S. Milton, Aberdeen, and E. Schoenbaum, Oss). 1980.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In adult humans, thermoregulation is more resistant to disruption than in smaller animals. Below a critical ambient temperature (e.g., 34°C for dogs), marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) induce hypothermia in laboratory animals, While above that temperature hyperthermia results [1]. Studies of marijuana on human body temperature in a normal or cool environment found no change or decreases of 0.1 to O.2°C [2,3]. However, we found that marijuana consistently increases body temperature at a high (40°C) ambient temperature.
METHODS: Six Subjects smoked a marijuana cigarette (900 mg) containing THC (18 mg) and 6 subjects smoked a placebo marijuana cigarette in a room maintained at 40±2°C. A second group of 12 subjecta smoked both a marijuana and a placebo cigarette in random order J at an ambient temperature of 23±1°C [5]. All were male, experienced marijuana users. Body temperature was recorded for 2 h after smoking at the tympanic membrane and the finger together with forearm skin conductance J heart rate and subjective Intoxication ratings. Pre-drug baaeline involved 1 h in the hot room including at least 20 min immediately prior to smoking. During thia time the subjects sweated continuously and body temperature varied only 0.1°C . In the second experiment, the base-line period was 20 min as the subject sat quietly at normal room temperature. Core temperature increased an average of O.5°C shortly after entry into the hot room, accounting for the higher pre-smoking baseline temperatures seen in these sUbjects.
RESULTS: Core temperature increased after smoking marijuana (p < 0.01) at an ambient temperature of 40°C (Fig. 1a). Individuals had increases of from 0.6°C to 1.3°C. After amoking marijuana at an ambient temperatUl'e 23°C, core temperature initially decreased O.2°C and later increased O.3°C (Fig. lb). The magnitude and timing of the changes were different from those at 40°C ambient temperature. Placebo had no effect in either thermal environment.
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