CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of a group of compounds found in the cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. There are over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis hemp, with CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) being the two major cannabinoids. Other cannabinoids include CBG (cannabigerol), CBN (cannabinol), CBC (cannabichromene), among many others. Each of these compounds has its own unique effects when consumed. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second-most abundant and therapeutically most relevant medi­cinal component of cannabis. CBD has received significant interest over the last several years because of its reported pharmacological effects in a range of conditions, from inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases , to epilepsy, autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and cancer . However, there is currently insufficient toxicological and clinical data regarding these therapeutic effects. Moreover, CBD is considered to regulate and alleviate THC-related adverse effects, including tachycardia, anxiety, sedation and hunger. CBD is not associated with psychoactivity and does not affect motor function, memory, heart rate, blood pressure or body temperature alone. However, Zuardi et al. Reported that, in mixed use of CBD and THC, the time between uptake of CBD and THC and the CBD/THC ratio appear to play important roles in the interaction between the two cannabinoids. Thus, CBD may increase the effects of THC through pharmacokinetic interaction if it is consumed before THC. However, a reverse interaction may occur when both cannabinoids are taken together, particularly at a high dose ratio of CBD/THC .

 

All vertebrate animals, including humans, create their own cannabinoids. The body produces these endocannabinoids to serve as neurotransmitters in a cell-signaling system called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Endocannabinoids send signals to receptors in various organs and systems throughout the body, most notably the brain and nervous system, and help them to maintain homeostasis, or balance. This helps the body to regulate such important functions as sleep, appetite, memory, mood, immune function, stress, pain, motor control, and more. As it turns out, plant-based cannabinoids (such as CBD) have a similar effect on the body, mimicking endocannabinoids and helping the body’s ECS to perform more efficiently. This produces wellness benefits for several systems and organs throughout the body, and it’s the reason that CBD wellness products have become so incredibly popular. 

 

To investigate effects of smoking cannabidiol (CBD)-rich marijuana on driving ability and determine free CBD and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations in capillary blood samples, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover pilot study was conducted with 33 participants. Participants smoked a joint containing 500 mg of tobacco and either 500 mg of CBD-rich marijuana (16.6% total CBD; 0.9% total THC) or 500 mg of a placebo substance, then performed three different dimensions of the Vienna Test System TRAFFIC examining reaction time, behavior under stress, and concentration performance. For further assessment of participants’ fitness to drive, three tests of balance and coordination were evaluated and vital signs (blood pressure and pulse) were measured. Dried blood spot samples of capillary blood were taken after smoking and after completion of the tests to determine the cannabinoid concentrations (CBD, THC and THC-metabolites). The results revealed no significant differences between the effects of smoking CBD-rich marijuana and placebo on reaction time, motor time, behavior under stress, or concentration performance. Maximum free CBD and THC concentrations in capillary blood were detected shortly after smoking, ranging between 2.6–440.0 mg/mL and 6.7–102.0 mg/mL, respectively. After 45 min, capillary blood concentrations had already declined and were in the range of 1.9–135.0 mg/mL (free CBD) and 0.9–38.0 mg/mL (free THC). Although the observed levels of free THC concentrations have been reported to cause symptoms of impairment in previous studies in which THC-rich marijuana was smoked, no signs of impairment were found in the current study. This finding suggests that higher CBD concentrations cause a negative allosteric effect in the endocannabinoid system, preventing the formation of such symptoms. Nevertheless, it is recommended that consumers refrain from driving for several hours after smoking CBD-rich marijuana, as legal THC concentration limits may be exceeded.