Acute Effects Of Cannabis Concentrate On Motor Control And Speed

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Abstract

Background: The use of cannabis concentrate is dramatically rising and sparking major safety concerns. Cannabis concentrate contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potencies up to 90%, yet there has been little research on motor impairment after concentrate use (commonly referred to as "dabbing"). This study measured postural control and motor speed after the use of high potency concentrates in males and females. Methods: Experienced concentrate users (N = 65, Female: 46%, 17 ± 11 days/month of concentrate use) were assessed for motor performance in a mobile laboratory before, immediately after, and 1 h after ad-libitum cannabis concentrate use. Plasma levels of THC were obtained via venipuncture at each timepoint. We used a remotely deployable motor performance battery to assess arm and leg movement speed, index finger tapping rate, and balance. The sensors on a smart device (iPod Touch) attached to the participant provided quantitative measures of movement. Results: Arm speed slowed immediately after concentrate use and remained impaired after 1 h (p < 0.001), leg speed slowed 1 h after use (p = 0.033), and balance decreased immediately after concentrate use (eyes open: p = 0.017, eyes closed: p = 0.013) but not at 1 h post-use. These effects were not different between sexes and there was no effect of concentrate use on finger tapping speed. Acute changes in THC plasma levels after use of concentrates were minimally correlated with acute changes in balance performance. Conclusions: Use of cannabis concentrates in frequent users impairs movement speed and balance similarly in men and women. The motor impairment is largely uncorrelated with the change in THC plasma levels. These results warrant further refinement of cannabis impairment testing and encourage caution related to use of cannabis concentrates in work and driving settings.

Keywords: acceleration; cannabis (marijuana); dab; speed; tapping.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

(A) Study timeline displaying the:…

Figure 1

(A) Study timeline displaying the: Baseline session at the campus lab, followed by…
Figure 1 (A) Study timeline displaying the: Baseline session at the campus lab, followed by purchase of cannabis concentrate (70 or 90% THC) at a local dispensary, ~5 days of ad libitum use, and the subsequent Experimental session in the mobile lab, including the pre-concentrate use (Pre-Use) timepoint followed by in-home participant ad libitum use of concentrate, and two post-concentrate use timepoints (Acute Post-Use and 1 h Post-Use). (B) Photograph of the Mobile Lab, a high-top cargo van retrofitted with a Wi-Fi hotspot, hand rail and stair step, ice cooler, electrical outlets, a reclining phlebotomy chair, sterile equipment, and a chair/table for motor testing.
Figure 2

Figure 2

Arm extension speed decreases by…

Figure 2

Arm extension speed decreases by 15% after concentrate use from Pre-Use to Acute…

Figure 2 Arm extension speed decreases by 15% after concentrate use from Pre-Use to Acute Post-Use and by 16% and from Pre-Use to 1 h Post-Use in male and female users. Male arm extension speed is greater than females, yet the response to cannabis concentrate is similar between sexes (no Time x Sex interaction). (–) Main Time effect followed by pairwise comparisons denoted between timepoints; (*) Main Sex effect denoted above key (p < 0.05).
Figure 3

Figure 3

Leg withdrawal speed decreased by…

Figure 3

Leg withdrawal speed decreased by 6% between Acute and 1 h Post cannabis…

Figure 3 Leg withdrawal speed decreased by 6% between Acute and 1 h Post cannabis concentrate use and by 7% from Pre-Use to 1 h Post-Use in male and female users. Male leg withdrawal speed is greater than females, yet the response to cannabis concentrate is similar between sexes (no Time x Sex interaction). (–) Main Time effect followed by pairwise comparisons denoted between timepoints; (*) Main Sex effect denoted above key (p < 0.05).
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