Antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of cannabidiol: a chemical compound of Cannabis sativa

CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2014;13(6):953-60. doi: 10.2174/1871527313666140612114838.

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are pathologies that affect human beings in many aspects of life, including social life, productivity and health. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a constituent non-psychotomimetic of Cannabis sativa with great psychiatric potential, including uses as an antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like compound. The aim of this study is to review studies of animal models using CBD as an anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like compound. Studies involving animal models, performing a variety of experiments on the above-mentioned disorders, such as the forced swimming test (FST), elevated plus maze (EPM) and Vogel conflict test (VCT), suggest that CBD exhibited an anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in animal models discussed. Experiments with CBD demonstrated non-activation of neuroreceptors CB1 and CB2. Most of the studies demonstrated a good interaction between CBD and the 5-HT1A neuro-receptor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety / drug therapy*
  • Cannabinoids / chemistry
  • Cannabinoids / therapeutic use*
  • Cannabis / chemistry
  • Databases, Bibliographic / statistics & numerical data
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Medical Marijuana / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Cannabinoids
  • Medical Marijuana