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Grogans SE, Hur J, Barstead MG, Anderson AS, Islam S, Kim HC, Kuhn M, Tillman RM, Fox AS, Smith JF, DeYoung KA, Shackman AJ. Neuroticism/Negative Emotionality Is Associated with Increased Reactivity to Uncertain Threat in the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis, Not the Amygdala. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1868232024. [PMID: 39009438 PMCID: PMC11308352 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1868-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroticism/negative emotionality (N/NE)-the tendency to experience anxiety, fear, and other negative emotions-is a fundamental dimension of temperament with profound consequences for health, wealth, and well-being. Elevated N/NE is associated with a panoply of adverse outcomes, from reduced socioeconomic attainment to psychiatric illness. Animal research suggests that N/NE reflects heightened reactivity to uncertain threat in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce), but the relevance of these discoveries to humans has remained unclear. Here we used a novel combination of psychometric, psychophysiological, and neuroimaging approaches to test this hypothesis in an ethnoracially diverse, sex-balanced sample of 220 emerging adults selectively recruited to encompass a broad spectrum of N/NE. Cross-validated robust-regression analyses demonstrated that N/NE is preferentially associated with heightened BST activation during the uncertain anticipation of a genuinely distressing threat (aversive multimodal stimulation), whereas N/NE was unrelated to BST activation during certain-threat anticipation, Ce activation during either type of threat anticipation, or BST/Ce reactivity to threat-related faces. It is often assumed that different threat paradigms are interchangeable assays of individual differences in brain function, yet this has rarely been tested. Our results revealed negligible associations between BST/Ce reactivity to the anticipation of threat and the presentation of threat-related faces, indicating that the two tasks are nonfungible. These observations provide a framework for conceptualizing emotional traits and disorders; for guiding the design and interpretation of biobank and other neuroimaging studies of psychiatric risk, disease, and treatment; and for refining mechanistic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Grogans
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Juyoen Hur
- Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Allegra S Anderson
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240
| | - Samiha Islam
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Hyung Cho Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Manuel Kuhn
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478
| | | | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California 95616
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - Jason F Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Kathryn A DeYoung
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Alexander J Shackman
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
- Maryland Neuroimaging Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
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Audi D, Hajeer S, Saab MB, Saab L, Harati H, Desoutter A, Al Ahmar E, Estephan E. Effects of Cannabis Use on Neurocognition: A Scoping Review of MRI Studies. J Psychoactive Drugs 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38944688 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2372377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most commonly utilized recreational drugs. However, increasing evidence from the literature suggests harmful implications on cognition. Thus, the main aim of the current review is to summarize literature findings pertaining to the impact of cannabis on neurocognitive skills, focusing on the imaging biomarkers provided by MRI. Two reviewers navigated the literature independently using four main search engines including PubMed and Cochrane. Articles were first evaluated through their title and abstract, followed by full-text assessment. Study characteristics and findings were extracted, and the studies' quality was appraised. 47 articles were included. The majority of the studies were of a case-control design (66%), and the most studied neurocognitive skill was memory (40.4%). With task-based fMRI being the most commonly utilized MRI technique, findings have shown significantly varying decreased and increased neuronal activity within brain regions associated with the cognitive tasks performed. Results suggest that cannabis users are significantly suffering from cognitive deficits. The major significance of this review is attributed to highlighting the role of MRI. Future research needs to delve more into validating the negative effects of cannabis, to enable stakeholders to take action to limit cannabis usage, to foster public health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dima Audi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Shorouk Hajeer
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marie-Belle Saab
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Pedagogy, Lebanese University, Furn-El-Chebbak, Lebanon
| | - Lea Saab
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Kaslik, Lebanon
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Kaslik, Lebanon
| | - Hayat Harati
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Muscat University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | | | - Elie Al Ahmar
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Kaslik, Lebanon
- School of Engineering, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Kaslik, Lebanon
| | - Elias Estephan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Kaslik, Lebanon
- LBN, University Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Grogans SE, Hur J, Barstead MG, Anderson AS, Islam S, Kim HC, Kuhn M, Tillman RM, Fox AS, Smith JF, DeYoung KA, Shackman AJ. Neuroticism/negative emotionality is associated with increased reactivity to uncertain threat in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, not the amygdala. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.02.09.527767. [PMID: 36798350 PMCID: PMC9934698 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.09.527767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Neuroticism/Negative Emotionality (N/NE)-the tendency to experience anxiety, fear, and other negative emotions-is a fundamental dimension of temperament with profound consequences for health, wealth, and wellbeing. Elevated N/NE is associated with a panoply of adverse outcomes, from reduced socioeconomic attainment to psychiatric illness. Animal research suggests that N/NE reflects heightened reactivity to uncertain threat in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce), but the relevance of these discoveries to humans has remained unclear. Here we used a novel combination of psychometric, psychophysiological, and neuroimaging approaches to rigorously test this hypothesis in an ethnoracially diverse, sex-balanced sample of 220 emerging adults selectively recruited to encompass a broad spectrum of N/NE. Cross-validated robust-regression analyses demonstrated that N/NE is preferentially associated with heightened BST activation during the uncertain anticipation of a genuinely distressing threat (aversive multimodal stimulation), whereas N/NE was unrelated to BST activation during certain-threat anticipation, Ce activation during either type of threat anticipation, or BST/Ce reactivity to threat-related faces. It is often assumed that different threat paradigms are interchangeable assays of individual differences in brain function, yet this has rarely been tested. Our results revealed negligible associations between BST/Ce reactivity to the anticipation of threat and the presentation of threat-related faces, indicating that the two tasks are non-fungible. These observations provide a framework for conceptualizing emotional traits and disorders; for guiding the design and interpretation of biobank and other neuroimaging studies of psychiatric risk, disease, and treatment; and for informing mechanistic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E. Grogans
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Juyoen Hur
- Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Allegra S. Anderson
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240 USA
| | - Samiha Islam
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Hyung Cho Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Manuel Kuhn
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478 USA
| | | | - Andrew S. Fox
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Jason F. Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Kathryn A. DeYoung
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Alexander J. Shackman
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
- Department of Maryland Neuroimaging Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
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Dammann I, Rohleder C, Leweke FM. Cannabidiol and its Potential Evidence-Based Psychiatric Benefits - A Critical Review. PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY 2024; 57:115-132. [PMID: 38267003 DOI: 10.1055/a-2228-6118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system shows promise as a novel target for treating psychiatric conditions. Cannabidiol (CBD), a naturally occurring cannabinoid, has been investigated in several psychiatric conditions, with diverse effects and an excellent safety profile compared to standard treatments. Even though the body of evidence from randomised clinical trials is growing, it remains relatively limited in most indications. This review comprises a comprehensive literature search to identify clinical studies on the effects of CBD in psychiatric conditions. The literature search included case studies, case reports, observational studies, and RCTs published in English before July 27, 2023, excluding studies involving nabiximols or cannabis extracts containing CBD and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Completed studies were considered, and all authors independently assessed relevant publications.Of the 150 articles identified, 54 publications were included, covering the effects of CBD on healthy subjects and various psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, substance use disorders (SUDs), anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and autism spectrum disorders. No clinical studies have been published for other potential indications, such as alcohol use disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, dementia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This critical review highlights that CBD can potentially ameliorate certain psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, SUDs, and PTSD. However, more controlled studies and clinical trials, particularly investigating the mid- to long-term use of CBD, are required to conclusively establish its efficacy and safety in treating these conditions. The complex effects of CBD on neural activity patterns, likely by impacting the endocannabinoid system, warrant further research to reveal its therapeutic potential in psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Dammann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Endosane Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cathrin Rohleder
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Endosane Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - F Markus Leweke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Hurzeler T, Watt J, Logge W, Towers E, Suraev A, Lintzeris N, Haber P, Morley KC. Neuroimaging studies of cannabidiol and potential neurobiological mechanisms relevant for alcohol use disorders: a systematic review. J Cannabis Res 2024; 6:15. [PMID: 38509580 PMCID: PMC10956336 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-024-00224-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The underlying neurobiological mechanisms of cannabidiol's (CBD) management of alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains elusive.Aim We conducted a systematic review of neuroimaging literature investigating the effects of CBD on the brain in healthy participants. We then theorise the potential neurobiological mechanisms by which CBD may ameliorate various symptoms of AUD.Methods This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Terms relating to CBD and neuroimaging were used to search original clinical research published in peer-reviewed journals.Results Of 767 studies identified by our search strategy, 16 studies satisfied our eligibility criteria. The results suggest that CBD modulates γ-Aminobutyric acid and glutamate signaling in the basal ganglia and dorso-medial prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, CBD regulates activity in regions associated with mesocorticolimbic reward pathways; salience, limbic and fronto-striatal networks which are implicated in reward anticipation; emotion regulation; salience processing; and executive functioning.Conclusion CBD appears to modulate neurotransmitter systems and functional connections in brain regions implicated in AUD, suggesting CBD may be used to manage AUD symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Hurzeler
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Translational Research in Alcohol, Edith Collins Centre, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joshua Watt
- Translational Research in Alcohol, Edith Collins Centre, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Warren Logge
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Translational Research in Alcohol, Edith Collins Centre, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ellen Towers
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Translational Research in Alcohol, Edith Collins Centre, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anastasia Suraev
- Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas Lintzeris
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul Haber
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Translational Research in Alcohol, Edith Collins Centre, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kirsten C Morley
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Translational Research in Alcohol, Edith Collins Centre, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.
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O'Sullivan SE, Jensen SS, Nikolajsen GN, Bruun HZ, Bhuller R, Hoeng J. The therapeutic potential of purified cannabidiol. J Cannabis Res 2023; 5:21. [PMID: 37312194 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-023-00186-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of cannabidiol (CBD) for therapeutic purposes is receiving considerable attention, with speculation that CBD can be useful in a wide range of conditions. Only one product, a purified form of plant-derived CBD in solution (Epidiolex), is approved for the treatment of seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex. Appraisal of the therapeutic evidence base for CBD is complicated by the fact that CBD products sometimes have additional phytochemicals (like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)) present, which can make the identification of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in positive studies difficult. The aim of the present review is to critically review clinical studies using purified CBD products only, in order to establish the upcoming indications for which purified CBD might be beneficial. The areas in which there is the most clinical evidence to support the use of CBD are in the treatment of anxiety (positive data in 7 uncontrolled studies and 17 randomised controlled trials (RCTs)), psychosis and schizophrenia (positive data in 1 uncontrolled study and 8 RCTs), PTSD (positive data in 2 uncontrolled studies and 4 RCTs) and substance abuse (positive data in 2 uncontrolled studies and 3 RCTs). Seven uncontrolled studies support the use of CBD to improve sleep quality, but this has only been verified in one small RCT. Limited evidence supports the use of CBD for the treatment of Parkinson's (3 positive uncontrolled studies and 2 positive RCTs), autism (3 positive RCTs), smoking cessation (2 positive RCTs), graft-versus-host disease and intestinal permeability (1 positive RCT each). Current RCT evidence does not support the use of purified oral CBD in pain (at least as an acute analgesic) or for the treatment of COVID symptoms, cancer, Huntington's or type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, published clinical evidence does support the use of purified CBD in multiple indications beyond epilepsy. However, the evidence base is limited by the number of trials only investigating the acute effects of CBD, testing CBD in healthy volunteers, or in very small patient numbers. Large confirmatory phase 3 trials are required in all indications.
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Pintori N, Caria F, De Luca MA, Miliano C. THC and CBD: Villain versus Hero? Insights into Adolescent Exposure. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065251. [PMID: 36982327 PMCID: PMC10048857 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is the most used drug of abuse worldwide. It is well established that the most abundant phytocannabinoids in this plant are Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These two compounds have remarkably similar chemical structures yet vastly different effects in the brain. By binding to the same receptors, THC is psychoactive, while CBD has anxiolytic and antipsychotic properties. Lately, a variety of hemp-based products, including CBD and THC, have become widely available in the food and health industry, and medical and recreational use of cannabis has been legalized in many states/countries. As a result, people, including youths, are consuming CBD because it is considered “safe”. An extensive literature exists evaluating the harmful effects of THC in both adults and adolescents, but little is known about the long-term effects of CBD exposure, especially in adolescence. The aim of this review is to collect preclinical and clinical evidence about the effects of cannabidiol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Caria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-070-6758633
| | - Cristina Miliano
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Stella N. THC and CBD: Similarities and differences between siblings. Neuron 2023; 111:302-327. [PMID: 36638804 PMCID: PMC9898277 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its sibling, cannabidiol (CBD), are produced by the same Cannabis plant and have similar chemical structures but differ dramatically in their mechanisms of action and effects on brain functions. Both THC and CBD exhibit promising therapeutic properties; however, impairments and increased incidence of mental health diseases are associated with acute and chronic THC use, respectively, and significant side effects are associated with chronic use of high-dose CBD. This review covers recent molecular and preclinical discoveries concerning the distinct mechanisms of action and bioactivities of THC and CBD and their impact on human behavior and diseases. These discoveries provide a foundation for the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics for multiple devastating diseases and to assure their safe use in the growing legal market of Cannabis-based products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nephi Stella
- Department of Pharmacology, Department Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Cannabis Research, Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Lichenstein SD. THC, CBD, and Anxiety: A review of recent findings on the anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects of cannabis' primary cannabinoids. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2022; 9:473-485. [PMID: 38106452 PMCID: PMC10722902 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-022-00450-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of review In the context of ongoing decriminalization and legalization of cannabis, a better understanding of how THC and CBD impact anxiety is critical to elucidate the risks of recreational cannabis use as well as to establish the therapeutic potential of cannabis products for anxiety-related applications. Recent findings Recent literature supports anxiogenic effects of THC administration, which may be attenuated among regular cannabis users. Data regarding anxiolytic effects of CBD administration are mixed. Most newer studies contradict earlier findings in reporting no effects of CBD on anxiety in healthy participants, whereas inconsistent results have been reported among individuals with anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and other clinical populations. Summary Future research is needed to reconcile heterogenous findings, explore sex differences in the effects of THC and CBD on anxiety, as well as to assess how effects change with extended exposure, the impact of different CBD doses, and interactions between THC, CBD, and other cannabis compounds.
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