EFFECTS OF CANNABIS SATIVA AND LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE ON A VISUAL DISCRIMINATION TASK IN PIGEONS

Four pigeons were trained on a visual discrimination task which required conditional responding along the independent dimensions of form and color. High doses of Cannabis sativa (marihuana) extract and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), which were equated on the basis of their effectiveness in suppressing responding, increased responding on a color dimension but not on a form dimension. High doses of LSD produced a decrement in discrimination performance while comparable doses of Cannabis did not effect accuracy. Treatment with Bromolysergic acid diethylamide, saline, and pentobarbital did not produce significant changes in performance. Results are discussed in terms of a break-down in stimulus control and central hallucinogenic activity. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.