@article{ref1,
title="The effects of β-myrcene on simulated driving and divided attention: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study",
journal="Cannabis (Research Society on Marijuana)",
year="2023",
author="Johnson, Mark B. and McKnight, Scott and Taylor, Eileen P. and Mechtler, Laszlo and Ralyea, Christopher C. Jr",
volume="6",
number="1",
pages="9-19",
abstract="BACKGROUND: β-myrcene, one of the most common terpenes found in cannabis, has been associated with sedation. We propose that β-myrcene contributes to driving impairment even in the absence of cannabinoids. <br><br>AIM: To conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study of the effect of β- myrcene on performance on a driving simulator. <br><br>METHOD: A small sample (n=10) of participants attended two experimental sessions, one in which they were randomized to receive 15 mg of pure β-myrcene in a capsule versus a canola oil control. Each session, participants completed a baseline block and three follow-up blocks on a STISIM driving simulator. <br><br>RESULTS: β-myrcene was associated with statistically significant reductions in speed control and increased errors on a divided attention task. Other measures did not approach statistical significance but fit the pattern of results consistent with the hypothesis that β-myrcene impairs simulated driving. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study produced proof-of-principle evidence that the terpene β-myrcene, an agent commonly found in cannabis, can contributes to impairment of driving-related skills. Understanding how compounds other than THC affect driving risk will strengthen the field's understanding of drugged driving.  Keywords: Cannabis impaired driving  <p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2578-0026",
doi="10.26828/cannabis/2023.01.002",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2023.01.002"
}