Oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adults
Abstract Background The effect of oral Cannabidiol (CBD) on interference during learning and memory (L&M) in healthy human volunteers has not been studied. Method A two-arm crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cannabis Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00262-2 |
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| author | Hanna H. Gebregzi Joanna S. Zeiger Jeffrey P. Smith Libby Stuyt Luann Cullen Jim Carsella Daniel C. Rogers Jordan Lafebre Jennah Knalfec Alfredo Vargas Moussa M. Diawara |
| author_facet | Hanna H. Gebregzi Joanna S. Zeiger Jeffrey P. Smith Libby Stuyt Luann Cullen Jim Carsella Daniel C. Rogers Jordan Lafebre Jennah Knalfec Alfredo Vargas Moussa M. Diawara |
| author_sort | Hanna H. Gebregzi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The effect of oral Cannabidiol (CBD) on interference during learning and memory (L&M) in healthy human volunteers has not been studied. Method A two-arm crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) to evaluate the effects of 246 mg oral CBD on L&M in healthy adults. Among 57 healthy volunteers enrolled, 35 were included in the analyses. For assessment of L&M, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) was used to evaluate verbal baseline cognitive function; RAVLT-R tests (List A and List B recalls, Proactive and Retroactive Interference ratios, and Forgetting Speed ratio) were used to evaluate verbal declarative memory; and total prose recall was used to evaluate verbal logical memory. Linear Mixed Models with Bonferroni Corrections were used to compare L&M results between primary outcomes (CBD vs. placebo) and secondary demographic outcomes, with a two-tailed statistical significance of P < 0.05. Results CBD administration did not affect any of the dependent variables measured compared to the placebo group. There were no effects of THC, history of CBD use, or sex on CBD’s modulation of L&M. However, a highly significant interaction effect between treatment groups (CBD vs. placebo) and age of subjects was observed for the PI ratio (P = 0.008; n = 35). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that administration of oral CBD alone does not significantly impair L&M in healthy adults. However, age might influence CBD related modulation of proactive interference during human L&M. Future research involving a larger group of older adults is needed to confirm this potential effect. Trial registration The study was approved by the CSU Pueblo IRB, conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06074172). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0faece0079424f8fa0741cd72d2bc414 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2522-5782 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cannabis Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-0faece0079424f8fa0741cd72d2bc4142025-01-26T12:50:48ZengBMCJournal of Cannabis Research2522-57822025-01-017111110.1186/s42238-025-00262-2Oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adultsHanna H. Gebregzi0Joanna S. Zeiger1Jeffrey P. Smith2Libby Stuyt3Luann Cullen4Jim Carsella5Daniel C. Rogers6Jordan Lafebre7Jennah Knalfec8Alfredo Vargas9Moussa M. Diawara10Department of Biology, Colorado State University PuebloCann Research FoundationDepartment of Biology, Colorado State University PuebloCircle Program, Colorado Mental Health Institute at PuebloCullen Regenerative Medicine, Naturopathic MedicineCullen Regenerative Medicine, Naturopathic MedicineDepartment of Biology, Colorado State University PuebloDepartment of Biology, Colorado State University PuebloDepartment of Biology, Colorado State University PuebloDepartment of Biology, Colorado State University PuebloDepartment of Biology, Colorado State University PuebloAbstract Background The effect of oral Cannabidiol (CBD) on interference during learning and memory (L&M) in healthy human volunteers has not been studied. Method A two-arm crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) to evaluate the effects of 246 mg oral CBD on L&M in healthy adults. Among 57 healthy volunteers enrolled, 35 were included in the analyses. For assessment of L&M, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) was used to evaluate verbal baseline cognitive function; RAVLT-R tests (List A and List B recalls, Proactive and Retroactive Interference ratios, and Forgetting Speed ratio) were used to evaluate verbal declarative memory; and total prose recall was used to evaluate verbal logical memory. Linear Mixed Models with Bonferroni Corrections were used to compare L&M results between primary outcomes (CBD vs. placebo) and secondary demographic outcomes, with a two-tailed statistical significance of P < 0.05. Results CBD administration did not affect any of the dependent variables measured compared to the placebo group. There were no effects of THC, history of CBD use, or sex on CBD’s modulation of L&M. However, a highly significant interaction effect between treatment groups (CBD vs. placebo) and age of subjects was observed for the PI ratio (P = 0.008; n = 35). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that administration of oral CBD alone does not significantly impair L&M in healthy adults. However, age might influence CBD related modulation of proactive interference during human L&M. Future research involving a larger group of older adults is needed to confirm this potential effect. Trial registration The study was approved by the CSU Pueblo IRB, conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06074172).https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00262-2CBDTHCL&MMOCAProse recallLogical Memory Subtest |
| spellingShingle | Hanna H. Gebregzi Joanna S. Zeiger Jeffrey P. Smith Libby Stuyt Luann Cullen Jim Carsella Daniel C. Rogers Jordan Lafebre Jennah Knalfec Alfredo Vargas Moussa M. Diawara Oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adults Journal of Cannabis Research CBD THC L&M MOCA Prose recall Logical Memory Subtest |
| title | Oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adults |
| title_full | Oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adults |
| title_fullStr | Oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adults |
| title_short | Oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adults |
| title_sort | oral cannabidiol did not impair learning and memory in healthy adults |
| topic | CBD THC L&M MOCA Prose recall Logical Memory Subtest |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00262-2 |
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