Factors that Impact the Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Effects of Cannabis- a Review of Human Laboratory Studies
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Abstract
Purpose of Review
With cannabis legalization expanding throughout the world, an unprecedented number of people now have access to legal cannabis. This expanded legalization has also created an extensive retail market that includes a litany of cannabis products, which vary on factors such as chemical profile (i.e., chemotype), formulation, and intended route of administration. Despite increases in cannabis access and product variety, research on the effects of product and user characteristics on drug effect profiles is limited.
Recent Findings
Controlled laboratory studies are important because they can reveal what factors influence the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD; e.g., subjective, cognitive, psychological) effects of cannabis and its principal constituents D-9-tetrahydrocannbinol (D-9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). In this review, we describe the various product (e.g., chemotype, route of administration) and user factors (e.g., frequency of use, sex, and age) that influence the PK and PD effects of cannabis.
Summary
Understanding the factors that impact the PK/PD profile of cannabis could be used to promote more consistency in drug effects, as well as cannabinoid delivery for medical purposes. Furthermore, such knowledge is key to informing eventual regulatory actions and dosing guidelines for cannabis products.
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