Cannabinoid Modulation of Amygdala Reactivity to Social Signals of Threat in Humans
Journal of Neuroscience March 5, 2008 K. Phan, Mike Angstadt, J. Golden et al.
The cannabinoid (CB) system is a key neurochemical mediator of anxiety and fear learning in both animals and humans. The anxiolytic effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are believed to be mediated through direct and selective agonism of CB1 receptors localized within the basolateral amygdala, a critical brain region for threat perception....