Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40410918›Full record

ArticleJournal of cannabis research2025

Mode matters: exploring how modes of cannabis administration affect THC plasma concentrations and subjective effects.

Margy Y Chen, Ashley Brooks-Russell, Angela D Bryan, L Cinnamon Bidwell

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cannabis research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Margy Y ChenDepartment of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 1905 Colorado Ave, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA. Margy.chen@colorado.edu.
Ashley Brooks-RussellInjury and Violence Prevention Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Angela D BryanDepartment of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 1905 Colorado Ave, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
L Cinnamon BidwellDepartment of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 1905 Colorado Ave, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.

Funding

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 96947NIH HHS DA049800
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

As cannabis products become increasingly accessible and novel modes of administration like dabbing and vaping gain popularity, understanding how these modes impact use experiences and abuse liability is crucial. Existing studies primarily utilized laboratory settings with lower-potency research-grade cannabis, failing to capture common modes among individuals who use higher-potency legal market products. This study investigated how modes of administration impact plasma tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations and subjective effects using naturalistic administration of legal market products. We conducted a secondary analysis of two quasi-experimental studies involving 252 participants (46.4% female). Participants completed a baseline assessment where they reported demographics, substance use, and medical history and an experimental assessment where they administered their products via their preferred modes. These modes were categorized into four general modes of use: dabbing, vaping, bong-like, and joint-like. Primary outcomes included plasma THC concentrations and subjective drug effects, both of which varied significantly across modes. Compared with modes typically associated with flower products (i.e., bong-, joint-like modes), dabbing was associated with higher plasma THC concentrations and subjective effects, indicating greater THC exposure when using this mode and its associated products. Interestingly, dabbing and vaping exhibited more rapid reductions in levels of subjective intoxication over time, suggesting that higher levels of intoxication may not be sustained for these modes. This study underscores the significant impact of modes of administration on THC exposure and subjective drug effects among individuals who regularly use legal market cannabis. Results demonstrate the need for future research to better characterize and account for modes of administration and their associated products.

Indexed as

CannabisHigh concentration cannabisMarijuanaMode of administrationRoute of administrationSubjective intoxication

Identifiers

PMID40410918
PMCPMC12100805

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.