Individual Differences in the Response to Drugs

A Preliminary Investigation of Individual Differences in Subjective Responses to D-amphetamine, Alcohol, and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

The purpose of this study is to examine whether individual differences in acute responses to drugs co-vary across three drugs from different drug classes: alcohol, amphetamine and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The investigators hypothesize that individuals who experience greater rewarding effects from one drug will also experience more rewarding effects from the other drugs.

Here, the investigators aim to investigate whether individuals exhibit similar responses to three different drugs from different classes. This study used a within-subjects design (total N = 24). All subjects received alcohol, amphetamine and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a double-blind, double-dummy fashion. Subjects completed six sessions wherein they received either alcohol, amphetamine, or THC, or corresponding placebos, on separate days. Subjects completed questionnaires about mood, general drug effects, and specific drug effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• English fluency
• High school education
• BMI between 19 and 26
• Individuals who report drinking at least 4 alcoholic drinks on one occasion in the past month

Exclusion Criteria:

• individuals with a medical condition contraindicating study participation, as determined by our physician
• individuals regularly using any contraindicated medications
• individuals with current dependence on any drug or past dependence on alcohol, marijuana or stimulants
• individuals with a past year DSM-IV Axis I mood, anxiety, eating, or psychotic disorder
• women who are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant in the next 3 months
• individuals who drink more than 10 alcoholic drinks per week
• individuals who currently use i) any illicit drug weekly or more frequently, ii) stimulant prescription drugs, iii) more than 10 cigarettes per week, and iv) more than 3 cups of coffee per day