Randomised trial, 2002
Does how women respond to cocaine depend on their menstrual cycle phase?
Yes. Women show stronger effects from cocaine during the follicular phase than the luteal phase, including greater heart rate increase and feeling more high.
What they did
Researchers studied 11 women who regularly smoke cocaine. Each woman received cocaine during both the follicular phase and mid-luteal phase of her cycle. In each phase, she had 4 sessions where she could smoke up to 6 doses of cocaine (0, 6, 12, or 25 mg) given 14 minutes apart. Researchers measured heart rate and asked women about their feelings and the drug's effects.
What they found
Women did not use more or fewer doses during different cycle phases. During the follicular phase, heart rate increased more and women rated the drug effect as better, felt more high, felt more stimulated and rated drug quality higher than in the luteal phase. During the luteal phase, negative mood improved more after cocaine use.
What it means for you
Menstrual cycle phase affects how women's bodies respond to cocaine, with stronger effects during the follicular phase. This suggests hormones influence how drugs work. Main limits: very small sample (11 women), included only cocaine smokers (not the general population), and only tested one illegal drug.
11
women studied
0-25 mg
cocaine doses tested
14 minutes
interval between doses
About the study
- Original title
- The effects of smoked cocaine during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in women
- Authors
- Evans SM, Haney M, Foltin RW
- Journal
- Psychopharmacology
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Smoked cocaine in doses of 0, 6, 12, or 25 mg at 14-minute intervals
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00213-001-0944-7
Topics
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