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ARTICLE |

Electrocardiographic Effects of Marihuana FREE

Mahendra S. Kochar, MD; Michael J. Hosko, PhD
[+] Author Affiliations

Reprint requests to the Medical College of Wisconsin, 511 N 15th St, Milwaukee 53233 (Dr. Hosko).


JAMA. 1973;225(1):25-27. doi:10.1001/jama.1973.03220280015004
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The electrocardiograms of seven young men were studied to determine the effects of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most psychoactive component of marihuana. Two doses of THC, 200μg/kg of body weight and 300μg/kg, were given orally to each subject at a three-day interval, and placebo was administered between the two doses of THC. After the small dose of THC, only two of the seven subjects showed electrocardiographic changes, but after the larger dose, six manifested increased heart rate, two developed S-T-segment and T-wave changes, and one had premature ventricular contractions. No electrocardiographic changes occurred after the placebo was administered. Marihuana may affect the heart, and its repeated use may have a cumulative effect.

REFERENCES

Mechoulam R, et al:  Chemical basis of hashish activity . Science 169:611-612, 1970;.
Isbell H, et al:  Effect of (-) delta-9-transtetrahydrocannabinol in man . Psychopharmacologia 11:184-188, 1967;.
Hollister LE:  Marihuana in man, three years later . Science 172:21-29, 1971;.
Lemberger L, et al:  Marihuana: Studies on the disposition and metabolism of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in man . Science 170:1320-1322, 1970;.
Kiplinger GF, Manno JE:  Dose-response relationships to cannabis in human subjects . Pharmacol Rev 23:339-347, 1971;.
Beaconsfield P, Ginsburg J, Rainsbury R:  Marihuana smoking, cardiovascular effects in man and possible mechanisms . N Engl J Med 287:209-212, 1972;.
Ban TA, St Jean A:  The effect of phenothizines on the electrocardiogram . Can Med Assoc J 91:537-540, 1964;.
Kochar MS, Wang RIH, D'Cunha GF:  Electrocardiographic changes simulating hypokalemia during treatment with lithium carbonate . J Electrocardiol 4:371-373, 1971;.
Kelly HG, Fay JE, Laverty SG:  Thioridazine hydrochloride (Mellaril): its effect on the electrocardiogram and a report of two fatalities with electrocardiographic abnormalities . Can Med Assoc J 89:546-554, 1963;.

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Mechoulam R, et al:  Chemical basis of hashish activity . Science 169:611-612, 1970;.
Isbell H, et al:  Effect of (-) delta-9-transtetrahydrocannabinol in man . Psychopharmacologia 11:184-188, 1967;.
Hollister LE:  Marihuana in man, three years later . Science 172:21-29, 1971;.
Lemberger L, et al:  Marihuana: Studies on the disposition and metabolism of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in man . Science 170:1320-1322, 1970;.
Kiplinger GF, Manno JE:  Dose-response relationships to cannabis in human subjects . Pharmacol Rev 23:339-347, 1971;.
Beaconsfield P, Ginsburg J, Rainsbury R:  Marihuana smoking, cardiovascular effects in man and possible mechanisms . N Engl J Med 287:209-212, 1972;.
Ban TA, St Jean A:  The effect of phenothizines on the electrocardiogram . Can Med Assoc J 91:537-540, 1964;.
Kochar MS, Wang RIH, D'Cunha GF:  Electrocardiographic changes simulating hypokalemia during treatment with lithium carbonate . J Electrocardiol 4:371-373, 1971;.
Kelly HG, Fay JE, Laverty SG:  Thioridazine hydrochloride (Mellaril): its effect on the electrocardiogram and a report of two fatalities with electrocardiographic abnormalities . Can Med Assoc J 89:546-554, 1963;.
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