Sex differences in the effects of marijuana on simulated driving performance

Beth M Anderson; Matthew Rizzo; Robert I Block; Godfrey D Pearlson; Daniel S O'Leary

doi:10.1080/02791072.2010.10399782

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Sex differences in the effects of marijuana on simulated driving performance

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Sex differences in the effects of marijuana on simulated driving performance

Beth M Anderson, Matthew Rizzo, Robert I Block, Godfrey D Pearlson and Daniel S O'Leary

Journal of psychoactive drugs, Vol.42(1), pp.19-30

03/2010

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10399782

PMCID: PMC3033009

PMID: 20464803

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/3033009View

Open Access

Abstract

In the United States, one in six teenagers has driven under the influence of marijuana. Driving under the influence of marijuana and alcohol is equally prevalent, despite the fact that marijuana use is less common than alcohol use. Much of the research examining the effects of marijuana on driving performance was conducted in the 1970s and led to equivocal findings. During that time, few studies included women and driving simulators were rudimentary. Further, the potency of marijuana commonly used recreationally has increased. This study examined sex differences in the acute effects of marijuana on driving performance using a realistic, validated driving simulator. Eighty-five subjects (n = 50 males, 35 females) participated in this between-subjects, double-blind, placebo controlled study. In addition to an uneventful, baseline segment of driving, participants were challenged with collision avoidance and distracted driving scenarios. Under the influence of marijuana, participants decreased their speed and failed to show expected practice effects during a distracted drive. No differences were found during the baseline driving segment or collision avoidance scenarios. No differences attributable to sex were observed. This study enhances the current literature by identifying distracted driving and the integration of prior experience as particularly problematic under the influence of marijuana.

Multivariate Analysis

User-Computer Interface

Reproducibility of Results

Double-Blind Method

Psychotropic Drugs - urine

Humans

Male

Psychotropic Drugs - administration & dosage

Psychomotor Performance - drug effects

Sex Characteristics

Marijuana Smoking - physiopathology

Marijuana Smoking - urine

Psychomotor Performance - physiology

Young Adult

Time Factors

Dronabinol - urine

Adolescent

Adult

Female

Dronabinol - administration & dosage

Automobile Driving

Details

Title: Subtitle: Sex differences in the effects of marijuana on simulated driving performance
Creators: Beth M Anderson - Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, 200 Retreat Avenue - Whitehall Bldg, Hartford Hospital Institute of Living, Hartford, CT 06106, USA. dr.beth.anderson@gmail.com
Matthew Rizzo
Robert I Block
Godfrey D Pearlson
Daniel S O'Leary
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of psychoactive drugs, Vol.42(1), pp.19-30
DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10399782
PMID: 20464803
PMCID: PMC3033009
NLM abbreviation: J Psychoactive Drugs
ISSN: 0279-1072
eISSN: 2159-9777
Publisher: United States
Grant note: P30 ES005605-11 / NIEHS NIH HHS P30 ES005605 / NIEHS NIH HHS P01 NS019632-17 / NINDS NIH HHS P01NS019632 / NINDS NIH HHS R01 DA010551 / NIDA NIH HHS M01 RR000059 / NCRR NIH HHS P01 NS019632 / NINDS NIH HHS P30ES005605 / NIEHS NIH HHS R01 DA010551-07 / NIDA NIH HHS R01DA010551 / NIDA NIH HHS M01 RR000059-42 / NCRR NIH HHS M01-RR-59 / NCRR NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 03/2010
Academic Unit: Neurology; Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Anesthesia
Record Identifier: 9984003489402771

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