Buspirone shares some of the properties of the benzodiazepines and the neuroleptics; it is a 5-HT (1A) receptor agonist [75] and a D2 receptor antagonist [76]. A preliminary 12-week, open-label study in 10 cannabis-dependent men found that buspirone (maximum 60 mg per day) in a 12-week open-label trial significantly reduced frequency and duration of cannabis craving and use and reduced irritability and depression [77]. A following 12-week controlled clinical trial compared buspirone (maximum 60mg/day) vs. placebo, together with motivational interviewing, in 23 cannabis-dependent participants [78]. Among the 24 participants who completed the trial, those randomized to buspirone had a greater percentage of cannabis-negative urine samples (95% CI:7–63%, p<0.05) and a trend towards achieving the first cannabis-negative urine sample sooner than those participants treated with placebo. These findings support the promise of buspirone as a treatment for cannabis dependence.
