Neuroimaging studies of acute effects of THC and CBD in humans and animals: a systematic review.
Albert Batalla, José A. Crippa, Geraldo F. Busatto, Francisco S Guimarães, A W Zuardi, O Valverde, Zerrin Atakan, P K McGuire, Sagnik Bhattacharyya, Rocío Martín‐Santos
Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014 DOI: 10.2174/13816128113199990432 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Occasional or naive cannabis users and naive animals in pharmacological challenge studies |
| Interventions | THC CBD |
| Topics | Cannabis CBD |
| Key findings | Functional neuroimaging studies provide extensive evidence that cannabinoids acutely modulate brain function, with THC and CBD generally showing opposite neurophysiological effects. The reviewed neurochemical imaging studies did not support a central role for increased dopaminergic activity in THC-induced psychosis. The authors note considerable methodological heterogeneity and call for more standardized methods and replication. |
Abstract
In recent years, growing concerns about the effects of cannabis use on mental health have renewed interest in cannabis research. In particular, there has been a marked increase in the number of neuroimaging studies of the effects of cannabinoids. We conducted a systematic review to assess the impact of acute cannabis exposure on brain function in humans and in experimental animals. Papers published until June 2012 were included from EMBASE, Medline, PubMed and LILACS databases following a comprehensive search strategy and pre-determined set of criteria for article selection. Only pharmacological challenge studies involving the acute experimental administration of cannabinoids in occasional or naïve cannabis users, and naïve animals were considered. Two hundred and twenty-four studies were identified, of which 45 met our inclusion criteria. Twenty-four studies were in humans and 21 in animals. Most comprised studies of the acute effects of cannabinoids on brain functioning in the context of either resting state activity or activation during cognitive paradigms. In general, THC and CBD had opposite neurophysiological effects. There were also a smaller number of neurochemical imaging studies: overall, these did not support a central role for increased dopaminergic activity in THC-induced psychosis. There was a considerable degree of methodological heterogeneity in the imaging literature reviewed. Functional neuroimaging studies have provided extensive evidence for the acute modulation of brain function by cannabinoids, but further studies are needed in order to understand the neural mechanisms underlying these effects. Future studies should also consider the need for more standardised methodology and the replication of findings.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on CBD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroimaging in cannabis use: a systematic review of the literature Cannabis users and controls in neuroimaging studies | 2009 | Systematic review | |
| Cannabis, a cause for anxiety? A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties | 2020 | Systematic review | |
| Effects of Cannabis on Impulsivity: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Findings | 2014 | Systematic review | |
| Association between formal thought disorder and cannabis use: a systematic review and meta-analysis Individuals along the psychosis continuum (healthy individuals, patients with... | 2022 | Meta-analysis | n = 5,191 |
| The Relationship Between Cannabis Use and Schizophrenia As a Risk Factor or For Its Therapeutic Potential: A Systematic Review of Evidence | 2025 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Translational Investigation of the Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD): Toward a New Age Frontiers in Immunology September 21, 2018
- Cannabis Dampens the Effects of Music in Brain Regions Sensitive to Reward and Emotion The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology August 30, 2017
- Cannabinoids and Vanilloids in Schizophrenia: Neurophysiological Evidence and Directions for Basic Research Frontiers in Pharmacology June 21, 2017
- 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
- Cannabis vaping and mental health: The association of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol with anxiety and depressive symptoms-Findings from the United States National Youth Tobacco Survey (2021-2023). Addiction March 2026
and 11 more in the library
Cites 64
- High-potency cannabis and the risk of psychosis The British Journal of Psychiatry November 30, 2009
- From dopamine to salience to psychosis--linking biology, pharmacology and phenomenology of psychosis. Schizophrenia Research November 1, 2005
- Distinct Effects of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Neural Activation During Emotional Processing Archives of General Psychiatry 2009
- Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research April 1, 2006
- Acute Effects of a Single, Oral dose of d9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) Administration in Healthy Volunteers Current Pharmaceutical Design September 12, 2012
and 59 more in the library