THC and CBD have opposing brain effects in rats
THC and CBD have opposing effects on brain function in rats, with combined effects muted compared to THC alone.
Why it matters
- THC and CBD have opposite effects on brain function.
- Combining THC and CBD produces more muted changes than THC alone.
By the numbers
- Study used 48 adult male Sprague Dawley rats.
- Doses: 10 mg/kg THC, 150 mg/kg CBD.
- THC increased brain connectivity and blood flow.
- CBD reduced brain connectivity without affecting blood flow.
The big picture
- CBD may moderate some of THC’s effects on brain activity.
- Findings could inform the development of cannabis-based treatments.
What they're saying
- Some users note that this aligns with personal experiences and existing knowledge.
- Others highlight that similar effects have been observed with endogenous cannabinoids.
Caveats
- Study conducted on anesthetized male rats; may not translate to humans.
- Only examined short-term effects of a single dose.
What’s next
- Future research to explore long-term effects and different doses.
- Researchers aim to build a database of brain imaging profiles for various drugs.