Gender Differences in the Subjective Effects of Cannabis

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/td96k3769

Abstract

As cannabis becomes integrated in society, it is important to examine differentiating factors that may influence its effects on people, such as gender. Across two observational studies, we examined gender differences in the acute subjective effects of cannabis use, including euphoria, energy, tension, and paranoia. Study 1 included 108 flower users (n = 44 women, n = 64 men) and Study 2 included 35 edible users (n = 21 women, n = 14 men). Participants were assessed in a mobile pharmacology lab before and after ad libitum use of their assigned cannabis product. In Study 1, although men and women reported similar levels of subjective high, men reported significantly greater levels of positive effects (i.e., euphoria, energy) relative to women. In Study 2, men and women reported similar levels of high and positive effects. No gender differences in paranoia or tension emerged in either study. Future research should examine the mechanisms behind these differences, and factor gender into future studies exploring the effects of cannabis.

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