Can You Get Rats High?
WouterScientists recently discovered that the psychoactive compound in marijuana (THC) makes lab rats lazy. The study used male rats and trained them on two different cognitive tasks. The rats were rewarded with two sugar pellets if they completed the difficult task and one sugar pellet if they completed the easier task. The rats exposed to THC were more lazy and preferred the easier task.
The rats explored the cannabis vapour chamber for one hour a day for 21 days. The chamber had two spigots: one activated by a cue light, while the other released a three-second puff of cannabidiol and THC-rich cannabis vapor. The spigots were attached to a device that resembled an e-cigarette tank. The rats then self-administered cannabis vapor by inhaling the cannabis vapor. The chamber also had an exhaust system to remove leftover vapor from the chamber.
Rats are omnivorous, and they will consume a variety of foods if given the chance. Moreover, they are highly intelligent and are known to enjoy the variety of food offered. In order to give your rats the best possible diet, make sure to mix fresh fruits and vegetables with a small portion of good quality rat pellets and cubes. These foods should have at least 16% protein.
Inhalation of THC in rats has satiety-inhibitory, antinociceptive, and locomotor effects. Its effect on locomotor behavior was not significant in Experiment 1, but it reduced male activity in Experiment 2 and 3. These findings are important for further research, but it is important to remember that the effect of THC in rats is dose-dependent.
