Study Finds Cannabis Sativa Oil Enhances Social Interaction via Oxytocin Pathway

NEW YORK- A study titled “Cannabis Sativa Oil Promotes Social Interaction and Ultrasonic Communication by Acting on Oxytocin Pathway” has been published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, and made available online by the US National Library of Medicine. Conducted by researchers at the Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine at the University of Brescia in Italy, the study explores the prosocial effects of cannabidiol (CBD)-rich Cannabis sativa oil on mice.

Background and Objectives

Cannabis sativa is noted as the most widely used recreational drug globally. The study’s abstract highlights a growing interest in the therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis for various psychiatric and neurological conditions. Particularly, CBD, a nonpsychoactive component of cannabis, has garnered attention for its potential to enhance social behaviors, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored.

The primary aim of the study was to investigate the effects of CBD-rich Cannabis sativa oil (CS oil) on social interaction and ultrasonic communication in mice.

Methodology

The study involved 27 adult male mice, which were treated daily with either a vehicle (control substance) or CS oil for two weeks. On the 14th day, the mice underwent behavioral testing, which included social interaction tests and ultrasonic communication assessments. Prior to the behavioral tests, mice received an intranasal treatment with either the vehicle or an oxytocin receptor antagonist, L-371,257, 40 minutes before testing.

Key Findings

The study found that a two-week treatment with CS oil resulted in increased social interaction and ultrasonic vocalizations in mice. These prosocial effects were inhibited when the mice were pretreated with the oxytocin receptor antagonist, indicating the role of the oxytocin pathway in mediating these effects.

At the molecular level, CS oil treatment led to a significant increase in oxytocin levels and a decrease in oxytocin receptor expression in the hypothalamus of the brain.

The researchers concluded that CS oil promotes social behavior by acting on the oxytocin pathway. The findings suggest potential therapeutic applications of CBD-rich Cannabis sativa oil for enhancing social interactions, possibly offering new insights into treatments for conditions characterized by social deficits.

This study contributes to the understanding of how CBD may exert prosocial effects and opens avenues for further research into its potential therapeutic uses.