Cannabis. 2023 Feb 7;6(1):9-19. doi: 10.26828/cannabis/2023.01.002. eCollection 2023.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: β-myrcene, one of the most common terpenes found in cannabis, has been associated with sedation. We propose that β-myrcene contributes to driving impairment even in the absence of cannabinoids.
AIM: To conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study of the effect of β- myrcene on performance on a driving simulator.
METHOD: A small sample (n=10) of participants attended two experimental sessions, one in which they were randomized to receive 15 mg of pure β-myrcene in a capsule versus a canola oil control. Each session, participants completed a baseline block and three follow-up blocks on a STISIM driving simulator.
RESULTS: β-myrcene was associated with statistically significant reductions in speed control and increased errors on a divided attention task. Other measures did not approach statistical significance but fit the pattern of results consistent with the hypothesis that β-myrcene impairs simulated driving.
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study produced proof-of-principle evidence that the terpene β-myrcene, an agent commonly found in cannabis, can contributes to impairment of driving-related skills. Understanding how compounds other than THC affect driving risk will strengthen the field's understanding of drugged driving.
PMID:37287732 | PMC:PMC10212270 | DOI:10.26828/cannabis/2023.01.002