The effects of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, on anxious human volunteers

In four anxious subjects, single low oral doses (1 or 2 mg) of nabilone had an antianxiety effect compared to placebo. In four other anxious subjects there was no antianxiety effect. Most of the subjects reported adverse effects (including dizziness, headache, sedation, and feelings of unreality) at 4 and 5 mg doses. A history of adverse effects from smoking marihuana appeared to predict a negative response to nabilone. Nabilone produced little impairment on the four performance tasks used in the study. Cardiovascular effects of nabilone were minimal, although dose-related increases in heart rate did occur. Postural hypotension also occurred at high (4 and 5 mg) doses.