Danielle McCartney1,2,3,4, Anastasia S Suraev1,2,3,4, Peter T Doohan1,2,3, Christopher Irwin5,6, Richard C Kevin1,2,7, Ronald R Grunstein4,8,9, Camilla M Hoyos2,3,4, Iain S McGregor1,2,3. 1. Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. Centre for Sleep and Chronobiology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 5. School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. 6. Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. 7. School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 8. RPA-Charles Perkins Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 9. Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol (CBD), a major cannabinoid of Cannabis sativa, is widely consumed in prescription and non-prescription products. While CBD is generally considered 'non-intoxicating', its effects on safety-sensitive tasks are still under scrutiny. AIM: We investigated the effects of CBD on driving performance. METHODS: Healthy adults (n = 17) completed four treatment sessions involving the oral administration of a placebo, or 15, 300 or 1500 mg CBD in a randomised, double-blind, crossover design. Simulated driving performance was assessed between ~45-75 and ~210-240 min post-treatment (Drives 1 and 2) using a two-part scenario with 'standard' and 'car following' (CF) components. The primary outcome was standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP), a well-established measure of vehicular control. Cognitive function, subjective experiences and plasma CBD concentrations were also measured. Non-inferiority analyses tested the hypothesis that CBD would not increase SDLP by more than a margin equivalent to a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration (Cohen's dz = 0.50). RESULTS: Non-inferiority was established during the standard component of Drive 1 and CF component of Drive 2 on all CBD treatments and during the standard component of Drive 2 on the 15 and 1500 mg treatments (95% CIs < 0.5). The remaining comparisons to placebo were inconclusive (the 95% CIs included 0 and 0.50). No dose of CBD impaired cognition or induced feelings of intoxication (ps > 0.05). CBD was unexpectedly found to persist in plasma for prolonged periods of time (e.g. >4 weeks at 1500 mg). CONCLUSION: Acute, oral CBD treatment does not appear to induce feelings of intoxication and is unlikely to impair cognitive function or driving performance (Registration: ACTRN12619001552178).
BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol (CBD), a major cannabinoid of Cannabis sativa, is widely consumed in prescription and non-prescription products. While CBD is generally considered 'non-intoxicating', its effects on safety-sensitive tasks are still under scrutiny. AIM: We investigated the effects of CBD on driving performance. METHODS: Healthy adults (n = 17) completed four treatment sessions involving the oral administration of a placebo, or 15, 300 or 1500 mg CBD in a randomised, double-blind, crossover design. Simulated driving performance was assessed between ~45-75 and ~210-240 min post-treatment (Drives 1 and 2) using a two-part scenario with 'standard' and 'car following' (CF) components. The primary outcome was standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP), a well-established measure of vehicular control. Cognitive function, subjective experiences and plasma CBD concentrations were also measured. Non-inferiority analyses tested the hypothesis that CBD would not increase SDLP by more than a margin equivalent to a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration (Cohen's dz = 0.50). RESULTS: Non-inferiority was established during the standard component of Drive 1 and CF component of Drive 2 on all CBD treatments and during the standard component of Drive 2 on the 15 and 1500 mg treatments (95% CIs < 0.5). The remaining comparisons to placebo were inconclusive (the 95% CIs included 0 and 0.50). No dose of CBD impaired cognition or induced feelings of intoxication (ps > 0.05). CBD was unexpectedly found to persist in plasma for prolonged periods of time (e.g. >4 weeks at 1500 mg). CONCLUSION: Acute, oral CBD treatment does not appear to induce feelings of intoxication and is unlikely to impair cognitive function or driving performance (Registration: ACTRN12619001552178).
Authors: Danielle McCartney; Richard C Kevin; Anastasia S Suraev; Christopher Irwin; Ronald R Grunstein; Camilla M Hoyos; Iain S McGregor Journal: Drug Test Anal Date: 2021-08-30 Impact factor: 3.234