Effects and interactions of nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana tea extract on zebrafish behavior: An analysis of shoaling coordination, anxiety, escape responses, and sedation

The co-abuse of nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana presents complex health and behavioral challenges due to their diverse effects on the central nervous system. This study investigates the interactions between these substances using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism, focusing on behavioral changes such as swimming coordination, anxiety, and escape responses. Nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana tea extract (MTE) were administered to zebrafish, and their effects were analyzed through various behavioral assays, including total distance traveled (TDT), discrete swim velocity (DSV), and caudal fin flickering (CFF). Results revealed that nicotine treatment increased swimming speed and escape behavior while reducing swim coordination. Alcohol showed dose-dependent effects: low concentrations reduced anxiety and increased activity, whereas higher concentrations led to sedation and impaired coordination. MTE treatment resulted in heightened anxiety and reduced activity at high doses, likely due to the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Co-treatment studies indicated complex interactions: nicotine combined with low alcohol concentrations exacerbated anxiety, while higher alcohol doses resulted in reduced escape behavior and coordination. Nicotine's impact was partially mitigated by MTE, which shifted TDT and DSV patterns to lower velocities. CFF analysis showed that nicotine increased frequency and amplitude of fin flickering, which was modulated by alcohol and MTE in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings highlight how nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana interact to influence zebrafish behavior, providing insights into the broader implications for understanding substance abuse. The study underscores the importance of considering combined substance use in therapeutic strategies and behavioral research, revealing how such interactions can modulate or mitigate individual substance effects.