Secrets of the Molecular Makeup of Cannabis Reveals How CBD and THC Levels Impact Side Effects

CBD Oil Cannabis Leaves and Seeds

Findings reveal how CBD and THC levels impact side effects of cannabis.

High levels of cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis can offset the neuropsychiatric effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by preventing the activation of an emotional processing pathway, according to research recently published in JNeurosci.

Previous research has shown that strains of cannabis with high levels of THC and low levels of CBD have increased neuropsychiatric effects, but the exact relationship between CBD and THC was not understood. Hudson et al. investigated the role of the protein ERK, which triggers a signaling pathway implicated in the neuropsychiatric effects of THC.

CBD and THC Side Effects

Cannabidiol Counteracts the Psychotropic Side-Effects of Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in the Ventral Hippocampus Through Bi-Directional Control of ERK1-2 Phosphorylation. Credit: Hudson et al., JNeurosci (2019)

Rats that were given THC had higher levels of activated ERK, showed more anxiety behaviors, and were more sensitive to fear-based learning. Rats that were given both CBD and THC acted like the control rats: they had normal levels of activated ERK, fewer anxiety behaviors, and were less sensitive to fear-based learning.

Based on these results, the research team proposes that THC activates ERK while CBD inhibits it. Increased levels of active ERK could disrupt emotional processing, leading to increased anxiety and fear learning.

Read How CBD Offsets the Psychiatric Side-Effects of THC  for more information on this study.

Reference: “Cannabidiol Counteracts the Psychotropic Side-Effects of Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in the Ventral Hippocampus Through Bi-Directional Control of ERK1-2 Phosphorylation” by Roger Hudson, Justine Renard, Christopher Norris, Walter J. Rushlow and Steven R. Laviolette, 30 September 2019, Journal of Neuroscience.
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0708-19.2019 

2 Comments on "Secrets of the Molecular Makeup of Cannabis Reveals How CBD and THC Levels Impact Side Effects"

  1. CBD Market Study | October 15, 2019 at 4:11 pm | Reply

    High THC use may be connected to long-term negative psychiatric effects. This is especially true for adolescents who consume large amounts of THC. The effect on the brain is more profound for teens. Using the compound increases the risk for some psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia.

  2. Who agrees with me that CBD oils are safe and really help, I am a living example. It can be used not only for medicinal purposes, but also as prophylactic. But do not forget that you need to always choose for yourself the correct dosage, how to do it correctly.

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