Action of cannabidiol on the anxiety and other effects produced by delta 9-THC in normal subjects

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1982;76(3):245-50. doi: 10.1007/BF00432554.

Abstract

The object of the experiment was to verify whether cannabidiol (CBD) reduces the anxiety provoked by delta 9-THC in normal volunteers, and whether this effect occurs by a general block of the action of delta 9-THC or by a specific anxiolytic effect. Appropriate measurements and scales were utilized and the eight volunteers received, the following treatments in a double-blind procedure: 0.5 mg/kg delta 9-THC, 1 mg/kg CBD, a mixture containing 0.5 mg/kg delta 9-THC and 1 mg/kg CBD and placebo and diazepam (10 mg) as controls. Each volunteer received the treatments in a different sequence. It was verified that CBD blocks the anxiety provoked by delta 9-THC, however this effect also extended to marihuana-like effects and to other subjective alterations induced by delta 9-THC. This antagonism does not appear to be caused by a general block of delta 9-THC effects, since no change was detected in the pulse-rate measurements. Several further effects were observed typical of CBD and of an opposite nature to those of delta 9-THC. These results suggest that the effects of CBD, as opposed to those of delta 9-THC, might be involved in the antagonism of effects between the two cannabinoids.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / chemically induced
  • Anxiety / drug therapy*
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Cannabidiol / therapeutic use*
  • Cannabinoids / therapeutic use*
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Pulse / drug effects

Substances

  • Cannabinoids
  • Cannabidiol
  • Dronabinol