The Leaf THE LEAF November-December 2019 | Page 13

3 Studies That Show Cannabis Grows Brain Cells - Real Pharmacy
The International Journal of
Neuropsychopharmacology - July 2013
The anxiolytic effect of cannabidiol on
chronically stressed mice depends on
hippocampal neurogenesis: involvement of
the endocannabinoid system
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-
psychotomimetic component of the plant
Cannabis sativa, exerts therapeutically
promising effects on human mental health
such as inhibition of psychosis, anxiety and
depression.
However, the mechanistic bases of CBD
action are unclear.
Here we investigate the potential involvement
of hippocampal neurogenesis in the anxiolytic
effect of CBD in mice subjected to 14 d
chronic unpredictable stress (CUS).
Repeated administration of CBD (30 mg/kg
i.p., 2 h after each daily stressor) increased
hippocampal progenitor proliferation and
neurogenesis in wild-type mice. …
CBD administration prevented the anxiogenic
effect of CUS in wild type but not in GFAP-
TK mice as evidenced in the novelty
suppressed feeding test and the elevated plus
maze.
This anxiolytic effect of CBD involved the
participation of the CB1 cannabinoid
receptor, as CBD administration increased
hippocampal anandamide levels and
administration
of
the
CB1–selective
antagonist AM251 prevented CBD actions.
Studies conducted with hippocampal
progenitor cells in culture showed that CBD
promotes progenitor proliferation and cell
cycle progression and mimics the
proliferative effect of CB1 and CB2
cannabinoid receptor activation. …
These findings support that the anxiolytic
effect of chronic CBD administration in
stressed mice depends on its proneurogenic
action in the adult hippocampus by
facilitating endocannabinoid-mediated
signalling.
PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science)
May 2013
Activation of Type 1 Cannabinoid Receptor
(CB1R) Promotes Neurogenesis in Murine
Subventricular Zone Cell Cultures
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system has been
implicated in the modulation of adult
neurogenesis.
Here, we describe the effect of type 1
cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) activation on
self-renewal, proliferation and neuronal
differentiation
in
mouse
neonatal
subventricular zone (SVZ) stem/progenitor
cell cultures.
Expression of CB1R was detected in SVZ-
derived immature cells (Nestin-positive),
neurons and astrocytes.
Stimulation of the CB1R … increased self-
renewal of SVZ cells, as assessed by counting
the number of secondary neurospheres …