Cannabinol and cannabidiol exert opposing effects on rat feeding patterns

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) agonism, particularly from delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is known to increase food consumption.
• The feeding effects of other phytocannabinoids, such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN), remain largely uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the individual effects of CBG, CBD, and CBN on feeding behaviors in a rodent model.
• To determine if the feeding effects of CBN are mediated by the CB1R.

Main Methods:

• Adult male rats were orally administered CBG, CBD, CBN, or CBN in combination with the CB1R antagonist SR141716A.
• Rats were satiated before drug administration, and subsequent food intake was recorded.
• Analysis included hourly intake, latency to feed, meal size, and meal duration.

Main Results:

• Cannabinol (CBN) significantly reduced latency to feed and increased meal size and duration, indicating increased appetitive and consummatory behaviors.
• CBN also increased total food intake within the first hour and over the entire test period, mediated by CB1R.
• Conversely, cannabidiol (CBD) significantly decreased overall food consumption.
• Cannabigerol (CBG) did not alter feeding behavior.

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrates for the first time that cannabinol (CBN) increases feeding behavior.
• CBN's appetite-stimulating effects appear to be CB1R-mediated, offering a potential non-psychotropic alternative to THC-based appetite stimulants.
• Cannabidiol (CBD) exhibited appetite-suppressing effects, supporting further research into its potential anti-obesity applications.