A study^[1] published in the May issue of the journal Psychopharmacology, and published online by the National Institute of Health, has found that cannabis may treat panic and anxiety-related disorders.

According to researchers; “The present study tested the hypothesis that the endocannabinoid system counteracts aversive responses in the dlPAG-stimulation model of panic attacks.”

Using a cannabinoid receptor agonist that’s designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, researchers injected the medicine into dlPAG rats that were induced with a chemical (NMDA) that causes “panic-like behavioural and cardiovascular responses in freely moving and anaesthetized animals, respectively.”

According to researchers; “The selective CB1 receptor agonist prevented the NMDA-induced panic-like escape responses.” The agonist also helped to prevent “both the behavioural response and the increase in blood pressure induced by NMDA.”

Researchers conclude; “The endocannabinoid system in the dlPAG attenuates the behavioural, cellular and cardiovascular consequences of aversive stimuli. This process may be considered for the development of additional treatments against panic and other anxiety-related disorders.”

The full study can be found by clicking here^[2].

– TheJointBlog

References

1. ^{^} study (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
2. ^{^} clicking here (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)