• DOI:10.1037/e496372006-005
• Corpus ID: 29770658

Marijuana smoking: factors that influence the bioavailability of tetrahydrocannabinol.

@article{PrezReyes1990MarijuanaSF,
  title={Marijuana smoking: factors that influence the bioavailability of tetrahydrocannabinol.},
  author={Mario P{\'e}rez-Reyes},
  journal={NIDA research monograph},
  year={1990},
  volume={99},
  pages={
          42-62
        }
}

• M. Pérez-Reyes
• Published 1990
• Biology
• NIDA research monograph

Marijuana smoking is the most commonly used method for the selfadministration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the active principle of marijuana. The inhalation of marijuana smoke induces subjective effects (“high”) that are rapidly perceived by the smokers. The perception of these effects allows smokers the capacity to achieve, within certain limits, their desired level of high by changing the puff volume, the interval between puffs, and the number of puffs taken. Therefore, the manner in which marijuana cigarettes are smoked (smoking dynamics) is probably the mast important factor in determining the bioavailability of THC. However, the following factors are also important: (1) the potency of the marijuana smoked; (2) the amount of unchanged THC present in the smoke inhaled (i.e., the amount of THC not destroyed by pyrolysis); (3) the amount of THC lost in side-stream smoke; (4) the method of smoking (cigarette vs. pipe smoking); and (5) the amount of THC trapped in the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. A review of the experiments we have conducted that permit evaluation of the relative importance of these factors is presented in this chapter.