How can cannabidiol (CBD) help reduce alcohol use disorder (AUD) without side effects that are commonly associated with traditional medications? This is what a recent study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology hopes to address as a team of researchers from the University of Sydney investigated the benefits of using CBD for treating AUD and whether there were side effects associated with this treatment. This study has the potential to help researchers, medical professionals, and the public better understand the benefits of using CBD for medical treatments without fearing side effects.
For the study, the researchers used a variety of CBD doses with alcohol consumption in laboratory mice to ascertain how CBD influenced their drinking habits. Additionally, the researchers examined how specific neurological receptors and locomotors were triggered during the study to examine CBD interactions. Essentially, they were examining potential side effects from using CBD to treat AUD. In the end, the researchers found that high CBD doses successfully reduced AUD while also observing unclear side effects, noting that further research is still required.
The study concluded, “The present findings showed a clear, dose-dependent inhibition by CBD of binge-like ethanol consumption in male and female mice. This effect was supported by BEC [blood alcohol concentration] data and could not be attributed to sedation, because CBD did not alter locomotor activity. CBD suppressed drinking with acute administration, and the effect was maintained when CBD was administered sub-chronically, indicating the effect was not subject to tolerance.”
It is estimated that 28.9 million Americans 12 years of age and older suffered from AUD in 2023 with 28.1 million being ages 18 and over. Therefore, studies like this can help individuals suffering from AUD get proper treatment potentially without fear of side effects.
How will CBD help treat AUD in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: British Journal of Pharmacology, Marijuana Moment, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism