humulene and Airway-Obstruction

Sixteen patients with proven reversible airways obstruction were admitted to a double-blind study to compare the bronchodilator effects of oral delta-1-(trans)-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-1-THC) and salbutamol. Measurements of forced vital capacity, forced expired volume in one second, peak expiratory flow rate, and maximum expiratory flow rate at 50 percent vital capacity after 10 mg oral delta-1-THC did not differ significantly from the effect of placebo, whereas increases after salbutamol were significant. Analyses of mood, pulse rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram showed no important changes after oral delta-1-THC. In vitro studies with isolated tracheal muscle indicate that the activity of delta-1-THC is 1,000 times less than the equivalent dose of isoprenaline, and the effect of delta-1-THC is not abolished by beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agents. It is concluded that oral delta-1-THC, at a dose of 10 mg, does not produce clinically significant bronchodilatation in patients with reversible airways obstruction.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Airway Obstruction; Albuterol; Animals; Blood Pressure; Bronchodilator Agents; Cannabis; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Dronabinol; Electrocardiography; Female; Guinea Pigs; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Isoproterenol; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Smooth; Phytotherapy; Placebos; Pulse; Spirometry; Time Factors; Vital Capacity

The use of cannabis in our society is a common problem and the subject of much medical and political debate. We present a case in which a 17-year-old male regular cannabis user developed a large swollen uvula (uvulitis) and partial upper airway obstruction after smoking cannabis. Symptoms resolved with the administration of corticosteroids and antihistamines.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adolescent; Airway Obstruction; Cannabis; Drug Therapy, Combination; Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans; Laryngeal Edema; Male; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Uvula

To evaluate the subacute effects of heavy marihuana smoking on the lung, pulmonary function was tested in 28 healthy young male experienced cannabis users, before and after 47 to 59 days of daily ad-libitum marihuana smoking (mean of 5.2 marihuana cigarettes per day per subject, 2.2 per cent delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Base-line pulmonary-function studies were nearly all within normal limits, but after 47 to 59 days of heavy smoking, statistically significant decreases in forced expired volume in one second (3 +/- 1 per cent, S.E.), maximal mid-expiratory flow rate (11 +/- 2 per cent), plethysmographic specific airway conductance (16 +/- 2 per cent) and diffusing capacity (8 +/- 2 per cent) were noted as compared with the base-line studies. The decreases in maximal mid-expiratory flow rate and specific airway conductance were correlated with the quantity of marihuana smoked. These findings suggest that customary social use of marihuana may not result in detectable functional respiratory impairment in healthy young men, whereas very heavy marihuana smoking for six to eight weeks causes mild but statistically significant airway obstruction.

Topics: Adult; Airway Obstruction; Airway Resistance; Cannabis; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Lung; Male; Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; Prospective Studies; Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; Respiratory Function Tests; Time Factors

Topics: Airway Obstruction; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Humans; Lung; Respiratory Function Tests; Smoke

Topics: Administration, Oral; Airway Obstruction; Cannabis; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Dronabinol; Drug Tolerance; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Phytotherapy; Respiratory Therapy

Topics: Adult; Aged; Airway Obstruction; Asthma; Cannabis; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phytotherapy; Respiratory Function Tests

Topics: Aged; Airway Obstruction; Byssinosis; Cannabis; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Middle Aged; Respiration; Respiratory Function Tests; Smoking; Vital Capacity