What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the impact of chronic, intensive marijuana consumption on circulating plasma testosterone and male reproductive endocrine function.

April 18, 1974New England Journal of Medicine

Depression of Plasma Testosterone Levels after Chronic Intensive Marihuana Use

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

RKRobert C. KolodnyNew School WMWilliam H. MastersFundación Juan March RKRobert M. KolodnerNETE (United States)

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Comparative study reveals dose-dependent depression of plasma testosterone in chronic marijuana users, suggesting altered hypothalamic-pituitary regulation.

Key Points

To evaluate the impact of chronic, intensive marijuana consumption on circulating plasma testosterone and male reproductive endocrine function.
Evaluated 20 heterosexual men aged 18 to 28 using marijuana at least 4 days per week for at least 6 months without other drug use, alongside age-matched non-using controls.
Measured circulating testosterone, liver function tests, pituitary and thyroid hormones, semen parameters, and hormonal responses to drug abstention and human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation.
Mean plasma testosterone was significantly lower in marijuana users (416 ± 34 ng/100 ml) than in controls (742 ± 29 ng/100 ml), exhibiting a dose-related decline.
Abstention from marijuana and administration of human chorionic gonadotropin each produced marked increases in testosterone, while gonadotropins, prolactin, cortisol, thyroxine, and liver function remained normal.
Somatic reproductive abnormalities were observed in users, including oligospermia in 35% (6 of 17) of evaluated participants and impotence in two men.

Cite This Study

Kolodny et al. (1974) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9987bc951a91d49aaba57f https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm197404182901602

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Comparative study reveals dose-dependent depression of plasma testosterone in chronic marijuana users, suggesting altered hypothalamic-pituitary regulation.

Depression of Plasma Testosterone Levels after Chronic Intensive Marihuana Use

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Depression of Plasma Testosterone Levels after Chronic Intensive Marihuana Use

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider