Cbd and thc effects

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CBD and THC Effects: Psychoactive, Cognitive, and Behavioral Outcomes

Psychoactive and Intoxicating Effects of THC and CBD

THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, responsible for the "high" and intoxication, while CBD is non-intoxicating but still psychoactive in some ways . High doses of CBD can actually increase the subjective and cognitive effects of THC, making people feel higher, rather than reducing these effects . However, some studies show that high doses of CBD may reduce the intoxicating effects of THC, especially in infrequent cannabis users, while low doses of CBD can enhance THC's effects . This means the interaction between CBD and THC is complex and depends on the dose and the user's experience with cannabis Gorbenko2024Solowij2019.

Anxiety, Psychosis, and Emotional Effects

THC is known to cause anxiety and psychosis-like symptoms, especially in new or sensitive users Lichenstein2022Stella2023Szkudlarek2020. Some research suggests that CBD can reduce the anxiety and psychosis-like effects caused by THC, but this is not consistent across all studies Freeman2019Boggs2017Lichenstein2022. In some cases, CBD alone has shown anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and antipsychotic properties, but these effects are not always seen, especially in healthy people or frequent cannabis users Freeman2019Morgan2018Lichenstein2022+1 MORE. The way CBD and THC interact to affect anxiety and psychosis may depend on the ratio of the two compounds, the dose, and individual differences Freeman2019Boggs2017Solowij2019+2 MORE.

Cognitive and Memory Effects

THC can impair memory and cognitive function, including working and episodic memory Morgan2018Withey2021. Studies show that adding CBD to THC does not consistently reduce these negative cognitive effects Gorbenko2024Boggs2017Morgan2018+1 MORE. In animal studies, CBD did not protect against THC-induced cognitive impairment, but it did prevent some side effects like nausea . In some cases, CBD alone may impair certain cognitive functions, such as perception and associative learning, through different brain pathways than THC .

Analgesic (Pain-Relief) Properties

THC is known for its pain-relieving properties, but adding CBD does not seem to enhance THC's analgesic effects . Even at high doses, CBD did not improve the pain relief provided by THC .

Drug Interactions and Metabolism

Both THC and CBD can inhibit certain liver enzymes (CYP450), which are important for metabolizing many medications . This means that using THC or CBD, especially together, can increase the risk of drug interactions and side effects when taken with other medications that are processed by these enzymes .

Conclusion

THC and CBD have different effects on the brain and body. THC is intoxicating and can cause anxiety, psychosis-like symptoms, and cognitive impairment. CBD is not intoxicating and may reduce some of THC's negative effects, but this is not consistent and depends on the dose, ratio, and individual factors. In some cases, CBD can even increase the effects of THC. Both compounds can interact with other medications by affecting liver enzymes. More research is needed to fully understand how CBD and THC interact and how they can be used safely and effectively.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Cannabidiol Increases Psychotropic Effects and Plasma Concentrations of Δ9‐Tetrahydrocannabinol Without Improving Its Analgesic Properties

CBD does not reduce the adverse effects of oral THC or enhance its analgesic properties.

RCT

2024·

14citations

·Andriy A Gorbenko et al.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics·

DOI

How does cannabidiol (CBD) influence the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in humans? A systematic review.

CBD may reduce some acute effects of THC, such as anxiety and psychosis-like effects, but its effects vary across studies and outcomes.

Systematic ReviewHighly Cited

2019·

175citations

·A. Freeman et al.

Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews·

DOI

Clinical and Preclinical Evidence for Functional Interactions of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol

Cannabidiol (CBD) may interact with THC, potentially reducing anxiety and psychosis-like symptoms, and should be considered in future cannabis-related policy decisions.

Literature ReviewRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2017·

198citations

·D. Boggs et al.

Neuropsychopharmacology·

DOI

A randomised controlled trial of vaporised Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol alone and in combination in frequent and infrequent cannabis users: acute intoxication effects

Low doses of CBD combined with THC enhance intoxication effects, while high doses of CBD reduce THC's intoxicating effects, with implications for cannabis use recommendations.

RCTRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2019·

150citations

·N. Solowij et al.

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience·

DOI

Individual and combined effects of acute delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on psychotomimetic symptoms and memory function

THC increases psychotic symptoms and impairs memory, while CBD does not attenuate these effects, potentially impacting frequent cannabis users.

RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2018·

119citations

·C. Morgan et al.

Translational Psychiatry·

DOI

THC, CBD, and Anxiety: A review of recent findings on the anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects of cannabis’ primary cannabinoids

Recent literature supports anxiogenic effects of THC, while data on CBD's anxiolytic effects is mixed and inconsistent.

Literature Review

2022·

31citations

·Sarah D. Lichenstein

Current addiction reports·

DOI

THC and CBD: Similarities and differences between siblings

THC and CBD show promising therapeutic properties, but their distinct mechanisms of action and brain effects differ, with potential for developing cannabinoid-based therapeutics for various diseases and ensuring safe use in the legal cannabis market.

Highly Cited

2023·

119citations

·N. Stella

Neuron·

DOI

Effects of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on cytochrome P450 enzymes: a systematic review

CBD and THC both inhibit CYP450 enzymes, increasing the risk of drug-drug interactions with psychotropic medications.

Systematic Review

2024·

12citations

·S. Smith et al.

Drug Metabolism Reviews·

DOI

THC and CBD Produce Divergent Effects on Perception and Panic Behaviours via Distinct Cortical Molecular Pathways.

THC promotes panic-like behavior in the prefrontal cortex, while CBD impairs perception and latent inhibition through activation of 5-HT1A receptors and reduced phosphorylation of p70S6K.

Non-RCTAnimal Study

2020·

16citations

·H. Szkudlarek et al.

Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry·

DOI

Effects of Daily Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alone or combined with Cannabidiol (CBD) on Cognition-based Behavior and Activity in Adolescent Nonhuman Primates

Daily high doses of THC impair cognitive performance and reduce activity in adolescent primates, with tolerance developing within weeks.

2021·

20citations

·Sarah L. Withey et al.

Drug and alcohol dependence·

DOI

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