A recent study has shown that a single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) may be enough to improve blood flow to certain parts of the brain, particularly those associated with memory and decision-making.
Improved Blood Flow to the Hippocampus Thanks to CBD
The study in question was conducted by University College London. It demonstrated that cannabidiol (the main non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis) increases blood flow to the hippocampus (the area of the brain responsible for learning and memory). An increase in blood flow to the part of the brain responsible for decision-making was also observed.
These encouraging results could lead to the development of better targeted therapies for people with memory-related disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
To conduct this study, the researchers selected 15 participants with no history of cannabis use and administered 600 mg of CBD to them on various occasions over the course of a week. They then repeated the experiment, this time administering 600 mg of a placebo. These trials definitively confirmed the hypothesis thatcannabidiolhas a direct impact on blood flow in specific regions of the human brain.
To be more precise, CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are derivatives of the cannabis plant and are part of the group of cannabinoid compounds found in hashish, cannabis oil, and most strains of marijuana. However, only THC has psychoactive properties, and it is responsible for the euphoric sensations associated with marijuana use. This “high” is caused by the interaction between THC and CB1 receptors in our central nervous system, which can produce feelings of euphoria or anxiety.
In contrast,hemp flowers are not psychoactive at all and do not interact with these receptors. Researchers believe, however, that they are responsible for certain therapeutic effects of cannabis, as they help relieve pain, among other things.
How was this study on CBD conducted?
The study by University College London was published in the *Journal of Psychopharmacology*. It involved 15 young, healthy participants who did not use cannabis; for two weeks, they alternated between taking 600 mg of cannabis and a placebo, without being told what was in the capsules they were taking.
The researchers then had them undergo an MRI scan of the brain to measure changes in the oxygen level in their blood.
It’s now been proven: CBD improves blood flow to your brain!
Through this study, they observed that CBD increased blood flow in the hippocampus and the orbitofrontal cortex (the area responsible for decision-making).
According to Bloomfield, a British psychiatrist, cannabidiol is one of the main components of cannabis and is attracting significant interest for its therapeutic potential: “There is evidence that CBD can help reduce symptoms of psychosis and anxiety. Some evidence suggests that CBD may improve memory function.”
