[Pharmacology of cannabidiol: Red flags, consequences and risks in humans]

Abstract

Scientific knowledge about cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates that CBD is a substance that is not pharmacologically inert. If it does not act efficiently on cannabinoid receptors (those where tetrahydrocannabidol [THC] is fixed), it acts on brain receptors, especially on dopamine and serotonin receptors, making it a psychoactive product in its own right. Its consumption can thus have psychoactive effects, such as sedation and drowsiness for example. In humans, interactions between CBD and drugs such as anti-epileptics, anticoagulants, immunosuppressants or methadone, have been highlighted. Therefore, the drug treatment of patients with chronic diseases may be impacted because of the unknown interaction with CBD. In addition, a recent experimental study has shown that the use of CBD by vaping (e-cigarette) generated by pyrolysis, products containing THC; it could result in possible negative health consequences for the user in terms of clinical effects and/or collateral effects (including on driving). Finally, therapeutic claims (outside of authorized drugs) that are purely speculative at this stage may divert users from proven management (stopping their drug treatment in favor of CBD or "self-medication"). All these data underline the importance of implementing measures related to the accessibility of CBD in order to avoid public health consequences and to better protect the users.

Keywords: Addictovigilance; Cannabidiol; Drug interaction; Effets SNC; Interaction médicamenteuse; Pharmacologie; Pharmacology; SNC effects.