Effects of Low-dose Naltrexone in Combination With a Range of Smoked Marijuana

Effects of Low-dose Naltrexone in Combination With a Range of Smoked Marijuana

In heavy marijuana smokers, opioid receptor blockade increases the subjective and cardiovascular effects of marijuana. The current study was designed to clarify opioid-cannabinoid interactions by assessing how naltrexone shifts the dose-response function for marijuana-elicited effects in heavy marijuana smokers. For this within-subject, double-blind study, a marijuana smoking procedure was designed to characterize a dose-response relationship for marijuana's subjective and cardiovascular effects under blinded conditions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Current marijuana use
• Able to perform study procedures
• Women practicing an effective form of birth control

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current repeated illicit drug use (other than marijuana)
• Presence of significant medical illness (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease,hypertension, hepatitis, clinically significant laboratory abnormalities, LFTs > 3x upper limit of normal, blood pressure > 140/90