Marijuana increase the vulnerability to opiods consumption in laboratory animals

Abstract

Marijuana is the most consumed illicit drug in the world. Epidemiological studies suggest that precocious use of Cannabis facilitates the progression to the use of other psychoactive drugs. Indeed, though very controversial, Cannabis is suggested as a gateway for drug addiction. Animal models are very useful to investigate the relationship between previous drug experience and vulnerability to the consumption of other drugs. In this article, we review the literature evaluating the effects of previous exposure to cannabinoid agonists in animal models on the subsequent behavioral impact related to the consumption of other drugs - such as psychostimulants and opioids.