Examining the neuromodulatory effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in healthy adults

About

Prescriptions of medicinal cannabis have increased substantially over the past 6 years, particularly as a therapeutic option for psychiatric and neurological conditions, but there is very little research exploring the effects of medicinal cannabis on the human brain. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound derived from the Cannabis sativa L. plant, acts on the brain’s endocannabinoid system, with animal studies showing that the endocannabinoid system is tightly linked with brain processes involved in excitation-inhibition (E-I) balance. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigates the extent to which a single dose of CBD oil affects brain processes involved in brain E-I using electroencephalography (EEG) in healthy adults aged 18-40 years. We will also examine safety and tolerability. This project will provide proof-of-concept and feasibility data for future clinical trials in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric populations.