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Δ 1-tetrahydrocannabinol but not cannabidiol reduces contact and aggressive behavior of rats tested in dyadic encounters

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Abstract

A low and a high dose of Δ 1-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 1-THC) and of cannabidiol (CBD) were IP injected in rats that had been isolated for 7 days. Forty-five minutes after injection, the rats were tested for social interactions with non-isolated, untreated test partners in dyadic encounters under standardized conditions. Different aspects of social behavior were analyzed. The high dose of Δ 1-THC (10 mg/kg) prevented nearly all social interactions. The low dose of Δ 1-THC (1 mg/kg) exerted selective and specific effects on social interactions. Social contact behavior, including crawl over/mounting, and social grooming, and aggressive behavior, including fighting, kicking, and biting, were markedly decreased, whereas social exploratory behavior (exploration of the partner and anogeniaal investigation) and the behavioral item, approach/follow, were hardly affected by Δ 1-THC treatment. Both doses of CBD (2 and 20 mg/kg) failed to change the various aspects of social interaction. It is postulated that the effects of Δ 1-THC on close and intimate contact behavior of rats may contribute to the understanding of marihuana taking in humans.

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Author notes

  1. Isaac Nir

    Present address: Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, The Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rudolf Magnus Institute for Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Utrecht, Vondellaan 6, 3521 GD, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Jan M. van Ree, Raymond J. M. Niesink & Isaac Nir

Authors
  1. Jan M. van Ree
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  2. Raymond J. M. Niesink
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  3. Isaac Nir
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van Ree, J.M., Niesink, R.J.M. & Nir, I. Δ 1-tetrahydrocannabinol but not cannabidiol reduces contact and aggressive behavior of rats tested in dyadic encounters. Psychopharmacology 84, 561–565 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431467

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431467

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