Cannabidiol as a Therapeutic Alternative for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: From Bench Research to Confirmation in Human Trials

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by poor adaptation to a traumatic experience. This disorder affects approximately 10% of people at some point in life. Current pharmacological therapies for PTSD have been shown to be inefficient and produce considerable side effects. Since the discovery of the involvement of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in emotional memory processing, pharmacological manipulation of eCB signaling has become a therapeutic possibility for the treatment of PTSD. Cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid constituent of Cannabis sativa without the psychoactive effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, has gained particular attention. Preclinical studies in different rodent behavioral models have shown that CBD can both facilitate the extinction of aversive memories and block their reconsolidation, possibly through potentialization of the eCB system. These results, combined with the currently available pharmacological treatments for PTSD being limited, necessitated testing CBD use with the same therapeutic purpose in humans as well. Indeed, as observed in rodents, recent studies have confirmed the ability of CBD to alter important aspects of aversive memories in humans and promote significant improvements in the symptomatology of PTSD. The goal of this review was to highlight the potential of CBD as a treatment for disorders related to inappropriate retention of aversive memories, by assessing evidence from preclinical to human experimental studies.

Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa) as an Emerging Source for Value-Added Functional Food Ingredients and Nutraceuticals

“…Treatment doses need to be selected carefully to ensure only anxiolytic benefits are felt by the individual. Other anxiety-related disorders also benefit from treatment with CBD, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, as well as addiction recovery [ 99 , 100 , 101 ]. The endocannabinoid system is involved in learning, emotional responses (including those related to trauma), and regulation of emotional behavior; therefore, this system is an important target for the treatment of PTSD [ 100 ].…”

“…Other anxiety-related disorders also benefit from treatment with CBD, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, as well as addiction recovery [ 99 , 100 , 101 ]. The endocannabinoid system is involved in learning, emotional responses (including those related to trauma), and regulation of emotional behavior; therefore, this system is an important target for the treatment of PTSD [ 100 ]. Using experimental animal models, CBD has been effectively used to treat the development of adverse associations at all steps of the process, including immediately after trauma to prevent the development of PTSD.…”

“…Using experimental animal models, CBD has been effectively used to treat the development of adverse associations at all steps of the process, including immediately after trauma to prevent the development of PTSD. CBD has been able to help in the extinction process of adverse memories in humans, as well as treat the anxiety-related symptoms accompanying PTSD without causing side effects [ 100 ]. In male and female genetically depressive mice, CBD had anti-depressant properties as well as reduced the exhibition of anhedonia [ 102 ].…”

Cannabis Epistemology and the Case-Series Design: An Invited Commentary on a Case Series and a Dismissive Response

“…This tendency to differentially emphasize distinct subsets of research is also reflected in the present dialogue, with Stuyt and Hildebrand highlighting a single animal study as evidence of harms 9 and the Elms et al response emphasizing literature evincing a positive signal. [10][11][12] What both of these admittedly incomplete literature reviews reveal is that the most rigorous research designs have not yet been implemented, and that conclusive results may not arrive as soon as we might hope.…”

Cannabis: A potential efficacious intervention for PTSD or simply snake oil?

“…Ideally, the neurobiological mechanisms of psychological disorders could be assessed using animal models. 8 Yet, even under the best conditions, this can be difficult to achieve, especially in relation to PTSD. Among other things, paradigms used to model PTSD are frequently the same as those used to model depressive disorders and anxiety (e.g., freezing in response to conditioned fear cues; response to novel stimuli after exposure to uncontrollable footshock; forced swim performance following prolonged restraint).…”