THC and CBD: Similarities and differences between siblings.
Nephi Stella
Neuron February 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.022 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis CBD |
| Key findings | Argues that THC and CBD differ dramatically in mechanisms and effects, with THC associated with impairments and increased mental health disease incidence, and high-dose CBD linked to significant side effects; recent discoveries may inform therapeutics and safe use. |
Abstract
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its sibling, cannabidiol (CBD), are produced by the same Cannabis plant and have similar chemical structures but differ dramatically in their mechanisms of action and effects on brain functions. Both THC and CBD exhibit promising therapeutic properties; however, impairments and increased incidence of mental health diseases are associated with acute and chronic THC use, respectively, and significant side effects are associated with chronic use of high-dose CBD. This review covers recent molecular and preclinical discoveries concerning the distinct mechanisms of action and bioactivities of THC and CBD and their impact on human behavior and diseases. These discoveries provide a foundation for the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics for multiple devastating diseases and to assure their safe use in the growing legal market of Cannabis-based products.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on CBD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
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- Challenges and considerations for treating PTSD with medicinal cannabis: the Australian clinician's perspective. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology 2023
- Acute cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and their mixture (THC:CBD) exert differential effects on brain activity and blood flow in rats: A translational neuroimaging study. Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2026
- The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine prevents cortical neuropathological phenotypes caused by adolescent Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure in male rats. Translational Psychiatry October 6, 2025
- Cannabidiol Mitigates Ketamine-Induced Hyperlocomotion Via Allosteric Potentiation of Ventral Tegmental Glycine Receptor α1 Signaling. Biological Psychiatry March 16, 2026
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Cites 38
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- Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol produce dissociable effects on prefrontal cortical executive function and regulation of affective behaviors Neuropsychopharmacology November 27, 2018
- Cannabis smoking impairs driving performance on the simulator and real driving: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover trial Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology May 12, 2018
- Rates and correlates of cannabis-associated psychotic symptoms in over 230,000 people who use cannabis Translational Psychiatry September 6, 2022
- Association between ABCB1 rs2235048 Polymorphism and THC Pharmacokinetics and Subjective Effects following Smoked Cannabis in Young Adults Brain Sciences September 3, 2022
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