Abstract
Background: The mechanisms underlying the clinical effects of CBD remain poorly understood. Given the increasing evidence for CBD's effects on mitochondria, we sought to examine in more detail whether CBD impacts mitochondrial function and neuronal integrity.
Results: At low micromolar concentrations, CBD reduced mitochondrial respiration, the threshold for mitochondrial permeability transition, and calcium uptake, blocked a novel mitochondrial chloride channel, and reduced the viability of hippocampal cells. These effects were paralleled by in vitro and in vivo learning/memory deficits. We further found that these effects were independent of cannabinoid receptor 1 and mitochondrial G-protein-coupled receptor 55.
Conclusion: Our results provide evidence for concentration- and dose-dependent toxicological effects of CBD, findings that may bear potential relevance to clinical populations.
Source: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (liebertpub.com)
Also see The Dark Side of Cannabidiol: The Unanticipated Social and Clinical Implications of Synthetic Δ8-THC
