Cannabidiol (CBD) improves brain function

Scientists have found that cannabidiol (CBD) increases blood flow to the hippocampus and improves brain function

Researchers at University College London in the UK have found that even a single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) can significantly increase blood flow to the hippocampus, a key area of ​​the brain associated with memory and emotion. The results are published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, with lead author Dr. Michael Bloomfield, a psychiatry specialist at University College London.

The scientists' findings could be an important step forward in treating conditions that affect memory, such as Alzheimer's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

As part of their research, scientists are seeking to understand how CBD affects cerebral blood flow in different areas of the brain responsible for information processing and memory.

“Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural phytocannabinoid and one of the main components of the cannabis plant. Its therapeutic potential is attracting increasing attention from the scientific community,” says Dr. Bloomfield.

"There is evidence that CBD may help reduce symptoms of psychosis and anxiety. Also, some research suggests that CBD may improve cognitive function and memory."

“CBD alters the way the brain processes emotional memories, which may explain its therapeutic effects in PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. However, the mechanisms behind these effects on memory are not yet fully understood,” he adds.

The study involved 15 healthy volunteers with little or no experience with cannabis. They took 600 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) or a placebo orally, with an interval of at least one week between doses. The researchers measured blood flow to the hippocampus using “arterial spin labeling,” a special magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that measures changes in blood oxygen levels.

Scientific discoveries and potential applications of CBD in therapy

Scientists found that cannabidiol significantly increased blood flow in the hippocampus, as well as in the prefrontal cortex – an area of ​​the brain responsible for planning and decision-making.

“This is the first study to show that CBD can increase blood flow to important brain areas related to information processing and memory, particularly the hippocampus,” explains Dr. Bloomfield.

"These results support the hypothesis that CBD has therapeutic effects on brain function. If confirmed by further research, these findings could lead to new therapies for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and PTSD, which are characterized by dysregulation of cerebral blood flow."