Influence of cannabidiol on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol effects

Experiments investigating the possible interaction of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), two major components of marihuana, were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions in a double-blind manner. In one study, 15 male volunteers were given placebo or 25 mug/kg of THC together with either placebo or 150 mug/kg of CBD by inhalation of the smoke of a single cigarette. All four treatments were assigned to each subject according to a series of Latin-square designs. CBD significantly attenuated the subjective euphoria of THC. Psychomotor impairment due to THC was not significantly altered by the simultaneous administration of CBD, but a trend indicating a decrease in THC-like effects was observed after the combination. When administered alone CBD was inactive for all the parameters measured. In a second study, 8 male subjects were given CBD (0 or 150 mug/kg) by smoke inhalation 30 min before THC (0 or 25 mug/kg) in a second cigarette. In contrast to the simultaneous administration of both drugs, CBD pretreatment did not alter the effects of THC on the parameters observed.