EFFECTS OF CANNABINOIDS (MARIJUANA) ON TASTE INTENSITY AND HEDONIC RATINGS AND SALIVARY FLOW OF ADULTS

Cannabinoids purportedly improve taste responsiveness and enhance the sensory appeal of foods. These properties and a commonly cited oral dr ying effect were evaluated in a series of studies with 'light' marijua na users. The first was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, acute oral dosing trial, involving an age and gender stratified sample of 57 adu lts. An influence of route of drug delivery was explored in another 11 individuals who were administered a single dose orally, sublingually and via cigarette. To explore effects following chronic administration , six additional individuals were dosed twice per dap for 3 days orall y and by rectal suppository. Taste intensity and hedonic responses for sweet, sour, salty and bitter food stimuli were monitored at baseline , 2, 4 and 6 hours post-dosing in the acute studies, and daily in the chronic study. Stimulated saliva samples were collected at these same times. Salivary now rate was significantly negatively correlated with plasma drug levels, and reported 'high' 2 and 4 h post-dosing. No effe cts of the drug were observed on taste responses. Self-reported shifts in taste responsiveness and hedonics may be related to alterations of memory and cognition, rather than gustatory function.