Cannabis Extract Reduced Cocaine Relapse in Mice
A non-psychoactive cannabis extract sped up extinction of cocaine preference and blocked cocaine-primed relapse in mice, working through serotonin receptors rather than cannabinoid receptors.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
A non-psychoactive cannabis extract (NPCE) significantly reduced the extinction latency of smoked cocaine-induced place preference, while pure CBD did not. NPCE also selectively blocked relapse triggered by a priming dose of cocaine but not stress-induced relapse. The serotonin 5-HT1A receptor was involved in this effect, while the CB2 receptor was not.
Key Numbers
NPCE reduced extinction latency of AEME-COC preference (CBD did not). NPCE blocked priming-dose reinstatement but not stress-induced reinstatement. 5-HT1A receptor antagonist attenuated NPCE effects. CB2 receptor inverse agonist had no significant impact.
How They Did This
Mouse conditioned place preference model using AEME-COC (a model for smoked cocaine). Three experiments tested: (1) cocaine vs AEME-COC conditioning, (2) CBD vs NPCE on extinction, (3) receptor antagonists on NPCE-mediated inhibition of reinstatement. Behavioral pharmacology approaches identified receptor mechanisms.
Why This Research Matters
Smoked cocaine (crack) is particularly addictive and difficult to treat. Finding that a non-psychoactive cannabis extract reduces relapse markers in a relevant animal model opens a potential new treatment avenue.
The Bigger Picture
The fact that a whole cannabis extract worked where isolated CBD did not suggests that other non-psychoactive compounds in the plant may contribute to anti-addiction effects. The serotonin mechanism provides a pathway for future drug development.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Animal model of cocaine preference does not fully capture human addiction. NPCE composition may vary between preparations. IP administration does not mimic human use. Single study requiring replication.
Questions This Raises
- ?Which specific non-psychoactive compounds in the extract are responsible?
- ?Would oral NPCE administration produce the same effects?
- ?Could this approach translate to human crack cocaine treatment?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis extract blocked cocaine relapse; pure CBD did not
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: animal study using a conditioned place preference model with a single non-psychoactive cannabis extract preparation
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025
- Original Title:
- Non-psychoactive cannabis extract promotes extinction and reduces reinstatement by priming dose in smoked cocaine-induced conditioned place preference.
- Published In:
- Physiology & behavior, 301, 115048 (2025)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06013
Evidence Hierarchy
Tests effects in animals (usually mice or rats), not humans.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the cannabis extract work but pure CBD did not?
Cannabis contains many non-psychoactive compounds beyond CBD. The extract may contain a combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other molecules that work together to produce effects that CBD alone cannot achieve.
Could cannabis-based treatments help with cocaine addiction?
This animal study suggests a non-psychoactive cannabis extract may reduce some markers of cocaine addiction in mice. However, translating animal findings to human treatment requires extensive further research, including clinical trials.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06013APA
Barreto, Fabián Leonardo; Lozano, María Constanza; Martínez-Ramírez, Jorge A. (2025). Non-psychoactive cannabis extract promotes extinction and reduces reinstatement by priming dose in smoked cocaine-induced conditioned place preference.. Physiology & behavior, 301, 115048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115048
MLA
Barreto, Fabián Leonardo, et al. "Non-psychoactive cannabis extract promotes extinction and reduces reinstatement by priming dose in smoked cocaine-induced conditioned place preference.." Physiology & behavior, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.115048
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Non-psychoactive cannabis extract promotes extinction and re..." RTHC-06013. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/barreto-2025-nonpsychoactive-cannabis-extract-promotes
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.