Cannabis is a psychedelic drug being increasingly legalized throughout the western world for medicinal and recreational purposes. Simultaneously, more potent drug preparations are being used in terms of their ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations. THC is known to cause acute adverse effects and may result in long-term impairments when consistently used in high doses.
A recent Neuropsychopharmacology study investigates whether these adverse outcomes could be alleviated by increasing the concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD) in these products.
Study: Does cannabidiol make cannabis safer? A randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial of cannabis with four different CBD:THC ratios. Image Credit: IRA_EVVA / Shutterstock.com
Introduction
Cannabis users who have a low frequency of use have been reported to develop acute loss of memory and attention with high-THC cannabis preparations, along with psychotic symptoms. Over more extended periods of use, this could result in a greater likelihood of psychosis and developing cannabis use disorder.
As a chemical, CBD fails to affect cognitive functions and prevent the development of psychosis, with the risk of both being lower among users who smoke high-CBD cannabis, irrespective of their frequency of use. When CBD is first given, followed by THC, the memory and psychotic effects of THC have been reported to be mitigated in light users, but not with frequent use.
About the study
The current study examines…
