Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol produced discrimination in pigeons

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1975 Sep-Oct;3(5):771-4. doi: 10.1016/0091-3057(75)90105-7.

Abstract

In an operant situation pigeons learned to peck one response key 90 min after an injection of 0.25mg/kg delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) and another key when trained nondrugged. When tested with doses of delta9-THC lwer than the training dose the birds disciminated 0.20 mg/kg of the drug from the nondrugged state but not 0.15 mg/kg or lower doses. The animals were able to discriminate the drug state from the nondrugged 180 min but not 360 min after the injection At a shorter interval (45 min) both drug and nondrug responding appeared. Cannabinol and cannabidiol (4.0 - 8.0 mg/kg) did not elicit any drug responses, nor did pentobarbital, ditran or amphetamine. Tests with LSD resulted in both drug and nondrug responding. When administering noncannabinoid drugs in combination with delta9-THC 0.15 mg/kg the birds responded at the key associated with the drug state, suggesting interactional effects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cannabidiol / pharmacology
  • Cannabis / pharmacology*
  • Columbidae
  • Cyclopentanes / pharmacology
  • Dextroamphetamine / pharmacology
  • Discrimination, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Glycolates / pharmacology
  • Hallucinogens / pharmacology
  • Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Pentobarbital / pharmacology
  • Reinforcement Schedule
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Cyclopentanes
  • Glycolates
  • Hallucinogens
  • Cannabidiol
  • Dronabinol
  • Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
  • Pentobarbital
  • Dextroamphetamine