Marijuana with comparatively high levels of a compound known as cannabidiol could also be less risky to smoke over the future, as a result of this ingredient might counteract a number of the drug’s harmful effects, per a brand new study in mice.
The study found that adolescent mice injected with frequent doses of consciousness-altering drug (THC) — the ingredient in marijuana that produces a “high” — showed signs of impaired memory and enlarged anxiety over the future. however mice that received daily doses of tetrahydrocannabinol combined with Associate in Nursing equal quantity of cannabidiol (CBD) failed to expertise these negative effects.
The study “suggests that strains of cannabis with similar levels of CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol would cause considerably less long risk because of CBD’s protecting result against THC,” study author Dr. Ken Mackie, a prof within the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Hoosier State University, aforesaid in an exceedingly statement.
Over the last many decades, tetrahydrocannabinol levels in marijuana utilized in the u. s. have enlarged three hundred p.c, whereas levels of CBD in marijuana have shriveled, the researchers aforesaid. however the long effects of exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD got to be studied any, they said.
Studies on whether or not CBD will counteract the negative effects of tetrahydrocannabinol are mixed, per a 2013 review paper on the subject . for instance, some studies have found that individuals expertise fewer symptoms of hysteria after they smoke marijuana with high CBD levels, compared to after they smoke marijuana with high tetrahydrocannabinol levels, however different studies did not replicate these results, per the review. Another study, printed in 2011 , found that individuals UN agency attended use marijuana merchandise with high CBD levels were at lower risk for psychotic symptoms over the future, though the result was delicate.
In the new study, the researchers examined the results of tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD on each adolescent and adult mice. The mice were divided into 5 groups: a bunch that received tetrahydrocannabinol only; a group that received CBD only; a group that received THC and CBD; a group that received a placebo; and a group that received no treatment. The mice within the initial four teams were injected with the substances a day for 3 weeks. The researchers examined the mice shortly once their drug treatment and after a six-week sober amount.
The researchers found that, directly once treatment, the mice exposed to tetrahydrocannabinol alone showed signs of impaired memory and enlarged psychoneurotic behavior. Six weeks later, the adolescent mice still showed these symptoms, whereas the adult mice failed to. (This finding agrees with analysis in humans suggesting that teens could also be at larger risk for long issues from marijuana , compared with adults.)
However, each the adolescent and adult mice that were exposed to tetrahydrocannabinol old long will increase in anxiety.
In distinction, mice that were exposed to each tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD along (in equal amounts) showed no changes in their behavior, either over the short or future.
“This is that the initial study in an exceedingly strictly controlled animal model to seek out that CBD seems to shield the brain against the negative effects of chronic tetrahydrocannabinol,” Mackie aforesaid.
Animal models enable researchers to conduct experiments in an exceedingly controlled manner, while not putt individuals in danger for damage from the study. however findings in animals don’t forever translate to humans.
More studies also are required to work out however CBD counters the results of tetrahydrocannabinol, and the way abundant CBD is required to confer a protecting result, the researchers aforesaid.
Earlier this year, Canada issued new tips for the way individuals will lower their risk of health issues connected to marijuana use , if they like better to use the drug. (In April, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced legislation to legitimize the recreational use of marijuana within the country.) one amongst the recommendations was to decide on merchandise with high levels of CBD relative to tetrahydrocannabinol, that the rules additionally aforesaid could also be “lower- risk” merchandise.
Source site: https://www.foxnews.com/health/marijuana-with-cbd-may-pose-less-risk-to-long-term-users
