Cannabis, tobacco, and caffeine use modify the blood pressure reactivity protection of ascorbic acid

• Published in: Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior Vol. 72; no. 4; pp. 811 - 816
• Main Authors: Brody, Stuart, Preut, Ragnar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological - drug effects; Adult; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Ascorbic acid; Ascorbic Acid - antagonists & inhibitors; Ascorbic Acid - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood pressure; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Caffeine; Caffeine - pharmacology; Cannabis; Central Nervous System Stimulants - pharmacology; Coping; Dopamine; Female; General and cellular metabolism. Vitamins; Humans; Male; Marijuana Smoking - physiopathology; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Regression Analysis; Smoking - physiopathology; Stress; Stress, Psychological - physiopathology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tobacco; Cannabis; Tobacco; Ascorbic acid; Dopamine; Blood pressure; Coping; Stress; Caffeine; Human; Cannabis sativa; Healthy subject; CNS stimulant; Illicit drug; Psychotropic; Oral administration; Cannabidaceae; Cannabinoid; Alkaloid; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Drug of abuse; Xanthine derivatives; Circulatory system; Nicotine
• DOI: 10.1016/S0091-3057(02)00751-7
• ISSN: 0091-3057

Cannabis, caffeine, and tobacco use are associated with increased mesolimbic dopamine activity. Ascorbic acid (AA) modulates some dopaminergic agent effects, and was recently found to decrease systolic blood pressure (SBP) stress reactivity. To examine how AA SBP stress reactivity protection varies by use of these substances, data from an AA trial (Cetebe, 3000 mg/day for 14 days; N=108) were compared by substance use level regarding SBP reactivity to the anticipation and actual experience phases of a standardized psychological stressor (10 min of public speaking and arithmetic). Self-reported never users of cannabis, persons not currently smoking tobacco, and persons consuming three or more caffeine beverages daily all exhibited AA SBP stress reactivity protection to the actual stressor, but not during the anticipation phase. Conversely, self-reported ever cannabis users, current tobacco smokers, and persons consuming less than three caffeine beverages daily exhibited the AA SBP protection during the anticipation phase, but only the lower caffeine consumption group exhibited AA protection during both phases. Covariates (neuroticism, extraversion, and depression scores, age, sex, body mass index) were all nonsignificant. Results are discussed in terms of dopaminergic effects of these substances, modulation of catecholaminergic and endothelial activity, and AA support of coping styles.