Study: CBD cannabinoid found in marijuana 'induces rapid antidepressant-like effects'

Written By Emily Gray Brosious

 

 

(Photo credit: Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

CBD’s fast-acting antidepressant effects in lab study hold promise for those struggling with depression.

New research published online in Neuropharmacology shows cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive compound found in marijuana “induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects.”

CBD has already been shown to greatly help reduce seizures in epilepsy patients, and now the cannabinoid shows promise for people suffering with depression, as reported by Marijuana.com.

Researchers conducted behavioral and neurochemical studies on surgically modified OBX mice following CBD treatment, and found CBD reversed the OBX-induced hyperactivity and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure).

“Our findings indicate that CBD could represent a novel fast antidepressant drug, via enhancing both serotonergic and glutamate cortical signalling through a 5-HT_1A receptor-dependent mechanism,” researchers wrote.

The rapid onset of CBD’s antidepressant effects are of particular interest because at present, nearly all pharmaceutical antidepressants must be taken for weeks before patients feel any effects kick in.