Is Cannabidiol (CBD) Psychoactive?
It is commonly said by cannabis enthusiasts that the element Cannabis Cannabidiol (CBD) is not psychoactive. But does this correspond to reality? Cannabidiol does not give the euphoric effect, or “fix” as it is known to cannabis friends, but it can affect mood, emotions and mind. Let’s see how cannabidiol interacts with the brain.
Is cannabidiol psychoactive?
The well-known “fixation” or “rise” caused by Cannabis is not due to cannabidiol (CBD) but to another dominant cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, cannabidiol has no effect on the brain and mood, which makes experts consider cannabidiol “technically” psychoactive.
Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol interact with the brain in different ways. Both are directed to the Endocannabinoid System, but to different receptors. Tetrahydrocannabinol binds directly to the receptors to which it is directed, while cannabidiol does not produce an autonomic psychoactive effect, but alters the effect of other compounds that are directed to the same receptors.
So while cannabidiol is not psychoactive in the recreational sense, it certainly has an effect on the brain.
How does cannabidiol affect the brain?
The exact effect of cannabidiol on the body and brain is an issue under investigation. However, over the last decade, researchers have discovered some amazing properties of cannabidiol in terms of how it affects the brain and the therapeutic effects it offers.
Let’s look at three ways in which cannabidiol can be considered psychoactive
1.MOOD STRENGTHENER
Preclinical studies (https://www.projectcbd.org/science/how-cbd-works?fbclid=IwAR3Dzp9TwhdcK2QVu_4mq0kcXHN-kiyCotkRvMOpITZ0lGw1OEw3aMpGwUA) have shown that cannabidiol causes a rapid increase in serotonin, the same compound that antidepressants target. Cannabidiol binds to a specific cellular receptor, the 5HT1A receptor, which is one of the serotonin receptors in the brain. Early study in rodents (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26711860) is promising, as prescription drugs may take up to six weeks to work.
Other studies have shown that cannabis is well tolerated by the human body and this is perhaps one of the reasons why patients are attracted to cannabis when they feel very down. Cannabidiol also helps prevent the breakdown of endocannabinoids associated with well-being, which can boost mood and create feelings of bliss and satisfaction.
2.ANTI-ANXIETY
Cannabidiol also has the ability to reduce stress quickly and drastically. In fact it has such a strong anxiolytic effect that it has been accepted successfully as an antipsychotic in early human trials (https://www.gwpharm.com/…/gw-pharmaceuticals-announces-posi…). The trials were performed in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and isolated cannabidiol was used in combination with conventional drugs.
Another study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3079847/) conducted in humans in 2011 found that taking cannabidiol as a precaution before a public speech reduced stress levels to 12 patients who had not used cannabidiol before. 600 mg of the compound were administered.
3.ANTI-EPILEPTIC
Human trials have shown that cannabidiol is a powerful anti-seizure drug that relieves arousal in the brain. Although cannabinoid is considered non-psychoactive, cannabidiol has been shown to have a drastic effect on the brain in certain types of epilepsy.
Pediatric seizures such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome have been found to be particularly responsive to the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). There are many videos in which we can see children during a seizure coming back a few minutes after giving a few drops of Cannabis oil.
Article : Anna Wilcox
Translation : Iraklis Tsagarakis
source : https://herb.co/2017/03/24/cbd-psychoactive/
Note : All articles published here refer to information on all cannabinoids,
however, access to THC (D9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is not possible in Greece,
which is not yet legal in our country.
