CBD does not temper THC’s effects on brain connectivity, may enhance disruption
In a recent study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, researchers have found that cannabidiol (CBD) does not mitigate the disruptive effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on brain connectivity. In fact, the study suggests that CBD might even exacerbate these effects in some cases.
This challenges the commonly held belief that CBD can counterbalance the psychoactive impact of THC in cannabis. The research was motivated by the growing use of cannabis among adolescents and young adults, a period characterized by significant brain development.
Previous studies indicated that chronic cannabis use during adolescence could lead to changes in brain connectivity and cognitive impairments. However, there was a lack of detailed research on the acute effects of cannabis in this age group, especially considering the different compositions of cannabis with varying levels of THC and CBD.
THC is the main psychoactive component, responsible for the euphoric “high” and cognitive alterations associated with cannabis use. CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive and has been suggested to have potential therapeutic properties, such as potentially reducing anxiety and possessing anti-inflammatory effects, but do not consider the other downsides of CBD use. While THC binds directly to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, influencing mood, perception, and cognition, CBD interacts more subtly with these receptors and can modulate the effects of THC.
