In multiple behavioral tests in mice, CBD produced no rewarding effects, no withdrawal symptoms, no changes in movement, and no motivation to self-administer, suggesting it lacks drug abuse potential.
Regulators, CBD researchers, and consumers interested in CBD safety.
No reward, no withdrawal, no self-administration
What the researchers found
CBD (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg) failed to induce conditioned place preference (no rewarding effects). No withdrawal symptoms or motor changes appeared 12 hours after repeated dosing. CBD plasma was nearly undetectable at 12 hours. In an oral self-administration paradigm, mice showed equal motivation and consumption for CBD solution and plain water.
Why it matters
Concerns about CBD abuse potential have slowed research and clinical development. This comprehensive behavioral profile helps address those concerns at the preclinical level.
The numbers in context
CPP tested at 15, 30, 60 mg/kg. Withdrawal assessed after 30 mg/kg twice daily for 6 days. Plasma measured at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours. Self-administration: 50 mg/kg oral CBD vs water.
How the study worked
Multiple behavioral paradigms in C57BL/6J mice: conditioned place preference (CPP) at three doses, spontaneous withdrawal assessment after 6 days of treatment, locomotor activity testing, plasma concentration measurements, and an oral self-administration paradigm comparing CBD water to plain water.
What this study cannot tell us
Animal study (mice); human abuse potential may differ. Specific doses and routes may not reflect human use patterns. Oral self-administration is less sensitive than intravenous paradigms.
How to read the evidence
Well-designed preclinical study with multiple complementary behavioral paradigms, but animal data only.
When this study was published
2019 preclinical study.
The bigger picture
With CBD products widely available to consumers, establishing that CBD lacks abuse potential at the preclinical level supports its continued availability and further therapeutic development.
Questions still open
- Would extremely high CBD doses produce any rewarding effects? Do these findings hold across different mouse strains and species?
Common questions
Is CBD addictive?
Can you get high from CBD?
Read the original research
Cannabidiol does not display drug abuse potential in mice behavior.
Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 40(3), 358-364
Citation
Viudez-Martínez, Adrián; García-Gutiérrez, María S; Medrano-Relinque, Juan; Navarrón, Carmen M; Navarrete, Francisco; Manzanares, Jorge. (2019). Cannabidiol does not display drug abuse potential in mice behavior.. Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 40(3), 358-364. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41401-018-0032-8
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