A Historical Nabilone Study Found Tolerance to Some Effects While Relaxation Persisted

A 1975 human study found that repeated nabilone reduced some subjective and physiological responses while relaxation persisted. The result illustrates selective adaptation to a synthetic cannabinoid-related drug, not equivalence with marijuana.

Acute effects depended on dose

Single doses produced dose-related central effects. Lower conditions caused relaxation and sedation with fewer other reported effects, while the highest condition produced marked postural hypotension. Supine pressure and tachycardia findings did not follow the same pattern. Position-specific blood-pressure change should not be summarized as no cardiovascular effect.

Repeated administration changed selected responses

Euphoria and dry mouth appeared early during twice-daily treatment and then became tolerant, without an apparent reduction in relaxation. A later larger challenge also produced fewer signs and symptoms than after a placebo period. That finding does not mean every outcome normalized or every participant had the same response.

The compound and historical setting matter

Nabilone is a modified cannabinoid-related drug with its own pharmacology. Its milligram doses cannot be substituted for THC doses, and its observed effects cannot establish the response to smoked or oral cannabis products. The supplied abstract does not establish current prescribing recommendations.

The study contributes an early example of separating desired and other effects during repeated administration. It does not establish clinical safety from tolerance alone. Dose, posture, exposure history and the individual endpoint are necessary parts of its interpretation.

Related: interpreting cannabis tolerance claims.

Research cited

Lemberger L; Rowe H. Clinical pharmacology of nabilone, a cannabinol derivative. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (1975). doi:10.1002/cpt1975186720. Findings discussed from the study abstract.