Study Suggests CBD Reduces Cannabis Impairment

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap]ccording to a new study, cannabidiol (CBD) appears to lower impairment caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis. It suggests that choosing the right strain may cause significant differences in the way it affects body and mind. It also suggest that nature knows best, and each active compound has a specific purpose.

Published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, the study tackled certain issues like possible links between THC and psychosis, among other aspects. An April 24 press release describes the study highlights. It’s the first study to utilize  functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure how different strains of cannabis impact brain function.

Investigators observed 17 people during sleep and monitored brain activity. Then they were given two strains of cannabis—one with THC and insignificant levels of CBD, and another with THC and high levels of CBD. What they found was that participants who smoked the strain with insignificant amounts of CBD were more prone to impaired brain connectivity. But the participants who consumed the strain with CBD exhibited “minimal” signs of impairment.

“Over the last two decades, rates of addiction and psychosis linked to cannabis have been on the rise, while at the same time stronger strains of cannabis with more THC and less CBD have become increasingly common,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Matt Wall. “We have now found that CBD appears to buffer the user against some of the acute effects of THC on the brain.”

Investigators also found that THC appears to disrupt salience networks, which determines what sensory or emotional inputs we pay attention to. But CBD appears to reduce or buffer most of the negative effects of THC on brain function.

The findings appear to debunk other reports that suggest CBD’s effects are overhyped. If the findings hold up, CBD would be a critical natural mediator between the brain and THC, and produce important medical benefits for a wide range of illnesses. The study confirms what many cannabis consumers already know—that strains high in CBD cause less negative effects like paranoia and agitation.