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- Michael Taffe, PhD - Therapeutic Efficacy of Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Prescription Opioid Abuse and Addiction

INVESTIGATOR: Michael Taffe, PhD

STUDY LOCATION: University of California, San Diego

PROJECT TITLE: Therapeutic Efficacy of Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Prescription Opioid Abuse and Addiction

FUNDING SOURCE: Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research

PROJECT TYPE: Pre-Clinical Study

STATUS:  Completed

ABSTRACT:

The non-medical abuse of opioids is a significant global health problem. In the United States, approximately 2 million people have a prescription opioid-related abuse disorder, which may increase the likelihood of later non-prescription opioid use and prescription opioid-related overdose deaths. Clinical and epidemiological evidence suggest that cannabis may attenuate harms associated with opioid use and that the opioid-sparing effects of cannabinoids may alter the rewarding effects of opioids. Using a new method for delivery of drugs to rats via e-cigarette technology, this study will determine if inhalation of crude cannabis extract, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD) will decrease oxycodone self-administration behavior and attenuate withdrawal­ mediated effects in opioid-dependent subjects. The goals of this project will be achieved through the following aims: (1) determine the effects of acute or repeated cannabis extract, THC or CBD treatment on prescription oxycodone self-administration behavior and (2) elucidate mechanisms by which cannabis extract, THC or CBD modulate brain stress-reward function associated with opioid intoxication and withdrawal. We hypothesize that cannabis and cannabinoid treatment via inhalation will attenuate oxycodone abuse- and withdrawal-induced behaviors, and that cannabinoids will have neuroprotective effects on stress-reward signaling mechanisms. Overall, this proposal will elucidate the therapeutic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on the behavioral and molecular outcomes of prescription oxycodone addiction and dependence.

 

PUBLICATIONS:

Type:

Title:
Journal Article Gutierrez A, Creehan KM, Grant Y, Taffe MA. (2024). Adult consequences of repeated nicotine and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vapor inhalation in adolescent rats. Psychopharmacology, 241:585-599.
Journal Article Gutierrez A, Nguyen JD, Creehan KM, Grant Y, Taffe MA. (2024). Adult consequences of repeated nicotine vapor inhalation in adolescent rats. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 26(6):715-723.
Journal Article  Gutierrez A, Taffe MA. (2024). Rats Chasing the Dragon: A new heroin inhalation method. J Neurosci Methods, 402:110013.
Journal Article Kulbe JR, Nguyen L, Le AA, Laird AE, Taffe MA, Nguyen JD, Fields JA. (2023). Nicotine, THC, and dolutegravir modulate e-cigarette-induced changes in addiction- and inflammation-associated genes in rat brains and astrocytes. Brain Sciences, 13(11):1556.
Journal Article Gutierrez A, Harvey EL, Creehan KM, Taffe MA. (2022). The long-term effects of repeated heroin vapor inhalation during adolescence on measures of nociception and anxiety-like behavior in adult Wistar rats. Psychopharmacology, Oct 26, 239(12):3939-3952.  
Journal Article Gutierrez A, Creehan KM, de Guglielmo G, Roberts AJ, Taffe MA. (2022). Behavioral effects of ethanol in the Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). J Exp Anal Behav, 117(3):472-492.
Journal Article Gutierrez A, Creehan KM, Javadi-Paydar M, Grant Y, Taffe MA. (2022). Effects of combined THC and heroin vapor inhalation in rats. Psychopharmacology, 239(5):1321–1335.