CBD Given to Newborn Rats Caused Lasting Memory Problems and Reduced Brain Cell Branching
Neonatal rats given CBD on days 1, 3, and 5 of life showed decreased dendritic complexity in brain neurons and females developed spatial memory deficits in adulthood, raising questions about CBD safety in the earliest stages of life.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Neonatal CBD exposure (50 mg/kg on postnatal days 1, 3, 5) caused decreased dendritic length and spine density in both cortical and hippocampal neurons in both sexes, with reduced dendritic arborization on Sholl analysis. Females (but not males) showed spatial memory deficits in the Barnes maze. No anxiety changes in either sex.
Key Numbers
50 mg/kg CBD intraperitoneally on postnatal days 1, 3, and 5. Overall decrease in dendritic length and spine density (apical and basal) in cortex and hippocampus. Reduced dendritic intersections on Sholl analysis. Females showed spatial memory deficit; males did not. No anxiety changes in either sex.
How They Did This
Male and female neonatal Sprague Dawley rats received CBD (50 mg/kg IP) on postnatal days 1, 3, and 5. In early adulthood, rats were tested on Barnes maze (spatial memory), open field, and elevated plus maze (anxiety). Golgi-Cox staining assessed neuronal morphology in cortex and hippocampus.
Why This Research Matters
CBD is increasingly considered for neonatal conditions like seizures, and maternal CBD use during pregnancy could expose newborns through breast milk. This study provides concerning evidence that early-life CBD exposure may permanently alter brain architecture and sex-specifically impair memory.
The Bigger Picture
As more parents use CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and as neonatal CBD applications are explored, this study sounds an important caution. The sex-specific memory deficit adds to growing evidence that cannabinoids affect male and female brains differently during development.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
High-dose intraperitoneal CBD in rats — human neonatal exposure would be much lower. Only three dosing days — different schedules may have different effects. Golgi-Cox staining provides morphological but not functional detail. Rat brain development timeline differs from humans.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does prenatal CBD exposure through maternal use produce similar brain changes?
- ?Would lower doses still affect neuronal morphology?
- ?Why are females more vulnerable to the memory effects?
- ?Could these findings influence guidelines for breastfeeding mothers who use CBD?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Preclinical study with behavioral and morphological endpoints, but high doses and intraperitoneal route limit translation to human neonatal exposure.
- Study Age:
- Published 2025.
- Original Title:
- Neonatal Cannabidiol Exposure Impairs Spatial Memory and Disrupts Neuronal Dendritic Morphology in Young Adult Rats.
- Published In:
- Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 10(1), e145-e155 (2025)
- Authors:
- Wadhwa, Meetu(2), Chinn, Gregory A(2), Sasaki Russell, Jennifer M, Hellman, Judith, Sall, Jeffrey W
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07895
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
This rat study adds to concerns about early-life CBD exposure, showing lasting brain changes and memory deficits. While doses were much higher than typical human exposure, major medical organizations already advise against CBD use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Why were females affected more than males?
The sex difference in memory is consistent with other cannabinoid research showing females may be more vulnerable to certain developmental effects. The mechanisms likely involve sex-specific endocannabinoid system development and hormonal differences.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07895APA
Wadhwa, Meetu; Chinn, Gregory A; Sasaki Russell, Jennifer M; Hellman, Judith; Sall, Jeffrey W. (2025). Neonatal Cannabidiol Exposure Impairs Spatial Memory and Disrupts Neuronal Dendritic Morphology in Young Adult Rats.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 10(1), e145-e155. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2024.0010
MLA
Wadhwa, Meetu, et al. "Neonatal Cannabidiol Exposure Impairs Spatial Memory and Disrupts Neuronal Dendritic Morphology in Young Adult Rats.." Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2024.0010
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Neonatal Cannabidiol Exposure Impairs Spatial Memory and Dis..." RTHC-07895. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/wadhwa-2025-neonatal-cannabidiol-exposure-impairs
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.