Abstract
In order to assess the presence of anxiolytic properties in cannabidiol (CBD) the drug was tested in an elevated plus-maze model of anxiety, in rats. Doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg significantly increased the entry ratio (open/total number of entries), an anxiolytic-like effect. CBD at a dose of 20.0 mg/kg was no longer effective. None of the doses of CBD used changed total number of entries, a measure of total exploratory activity. Diazepam (2.0 mg/kg) also caused an anxiolytic-like effect in this model. These results indicate that CBD causes a selective anxiolytic effect in the elevated plusmaze, within a limited range of doses.
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Guimarães, F.S., Chiaretti, T.M., Graeff, F.G. et al. Antianxiety effect of cannabidiol in the elevated plus-maze. Psychopharmacology 100, 558–559 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244012
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244012