Jennie Bond on her cannabis experience for scientific trial

2 March 2015

As part of a ground-breaking scientific trial, former royal correspondent Jennie Bond was among volunteering taking controlled doses of two different forms of cannabis. Researchers used fMRI scans and cognitive tests to find out the effect on the brain as well as looking at the neurological and psychological effects on memory, appreciation of music and psychological wellbeing.

The results will be shown in Drugs Live: Cannabis on Trial on Tuesday, March 3rd at 10pm.

Jennie Bond writes:

I've been asked to do some pretty strange things in my time. Being buried in a coffin full of rats is just one of them. But I'm always up for a challenge, so when I was asked to take part in a drugs trial for Channel 4, I decided it would be both interesting and informative.

The purpose of the trial was to show how skunk - the most common form of cannabis now sold on the streets - affects the brain and behaviour compared to weaker forms of cannabis.

I was to be one of a number of volunteers to undergo the trial at University College London under the guidance of one of the world’s leading experts on the effects of illegal drugs on the brain, Professor Val Curran.

I smoked a bit of cannabis as a student at University. I enjoyed the mellowing effect, the relaxation and sometimes the uncontrollable giggling.

So the idea of taking skunk didn't frighten me and I was intrigued to see how it differed from the weaker cannabis I used to smoke.

I turned up for Day One of the trial feeling nervous...mainly about how to inhale the stuff, as I gave up smoking more than thirty years ago. There was also the added twist of not knowing what I was taking. The trial was to be conducted over three separate days and I would be given skunk, low potency hash and a placebo. But I wasn't told -and still do not know- which I was given on each occasion.

The first thing to say is that it wasn't in the least like the old days... lying back on velvet cushions in a darkened room, smoking weed and listening to Jimi Hendrix! The laboratory conditions, the camera in your face and the prospect of inhaling what seemed like gallons of the stuff through a vaporiser and a huge plastic bag was far from relaxing.

It felt harsh in my throat and I had to inhale two whole bags of it. It smelled like cannabis and I felt a little dizzy. But, as I got used to the procedure, I felt no dramatic effects and decided this must be the placebo, which was rather disappointing.

The next part of the experiment was to undergo a full MRI scan of the brain. Luckily I'm not claustrophobic (especially after being buried in a coffin in "I'm A Celebrity") and find medical procedures fascinating. So,spending an hour in the scanner didn't bother me at all. In fact it was rather restful.

During the scan I was asked to do a lengthy series of observation and memory tests. There was also a musical appreciation test, which struck me as rather odd but not too taxing.

I felt fine, not at all stoned and I rather enjoyed the whole experience. The scientists were very encouraging, but I have no idea how well I did.

I then had to inhale another huge bag of whatever it was and attempt another set of mental athletics. The tasks were straightforward enough: memorise a short report, select different coloured balls from jars you couldn't see, think of as many vegetables as possible.

I was rubbish.

I forgot almost the entire report, had no idea what I was doing with the balls and got fixated on vegetables beginning with the letter "c" for some unknown reason.

So was I stoned or just stupid? I still don't know - but I fear the latter!

The second trial, a week, later, followed the same pattern. I felt I'd got better at inhaling and quite enjoyed the sweet smell. But, once again, I didn't feel particularly stoned. I suspected this was the cannabis of my University days.

I do remember getting quite absurdly confused over the coloured balls test and finding it rather funny. And I was shocked that my blood pressure, normally quite low, had shot up to 150. Whatever I had taken clearly wasn't doing my body much good.

When I arrived for my final trial, I was convinced I'd had the placebo and the cannabis...so this time it would be skunk. It seemed much harsher in my throat and I did feel quite stoned after the first two bags. It wasn't particularly pleasant; it made me rather dizzy but I also felt super relaxed.

In the MRI scanner, the tests seemed no more difficult than before, but I had one hell of a job staying awake.

After the third bag of whatever it was, I had an insatiable thirst and a love affair with a bunch of grapes!

My memory was appalling again, but I don't think my concentration was badly affected. Once again, my blood pressure went through the roof. That scared me and made me realise just how dangerous drugs can be.

I shall be intrigued to find out whether I was right about which substance I was given on each day. And it will be fascinating to see whether I was in fact a lot more stoned than I thought. It could be embarrassing!