Maintained anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol after treatment discontinuation in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author(s):Show less -

Souza, Jose Diogo S. ; Zuardi, Antonio W. ; Guimaraes, Francisco S. ; Osorio, Flavia de Lima ; Loureiro, Sonia Regina ; Campos, Alline Cristina ; Hallak, Jaime E. C. ; Dos Santos, Rafael G. ; Machado Silveira, Isabella Lara ; Pereira-Lima, Karina ; Pacheco, Julia Cozar ; Ushirohira, Juliana Mayumi ; Ferreira, Rafael Rinaldi ; Costa, Karla Cristinne Mancini ; Scomparin, Davi Silveira ; Scarante, Franciele Franco ; Pires-Dos-Santos, Isabela ; Mechoulam, Raphael ; Kapczinski, Flavio ; Fonseca, Benedito A. L. ; Esposito, Danillo L. A. ; Andraus, Maristela Haddad ; Crippa, Jose Alexandre S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY; v. 13, p. 9-pg., 2022-10-03.

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether the effects of oral administration of 300 mg of Cannabidiol (CBD) for 28 days on mental health are maintained for a period after the medication discontinuation. Methods: This is a 3-month follow-up observational and clinical trial study. The data were obtained from two studies performed simultaneously by the same team in the same period and region with Brazilian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scales to assess emotional symptoms were applied weekly, in the first month, and at weeks eight and 12. Results: The primary outcome was that, compared to the control group, a significant reduction in General Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire (GAD-7) from baseline values was observed in the CBD group on weeks two, four, and eight (Within-Subjects Contrasts, time-group interactions: F1-125 = 7.67; p = 0.006; eta(p) (2) = 0.06; F1-125 = 6.58; p = 0.01; eta(p) (2) = 0.05; F1-125 = 4.28; p = 0.04; eta(p) (2) = 0.03, respectively) after the end of the treatment. Conclusions: The anxiolytic effects of CBD in frontline health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic were maintained up to 1 month after the treatment discontinuation, suggesting a persistent decrease in anxiety in this group in the real world. Future double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the present findings and weigh the benefits of CBD therapy against potential undesired or adverse effects. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/09009-2 - Crack/cocaine chronic use: dopamine transporters availability, genetic factors, and executive functioning
• Grantee: Acioly Luiz Tavares de Lacerda
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/50891-1 - INCT 2014: Translational Medicine
• Grantee: Jaime Eduardo Cecilio Hallak
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/12110-9 - Cannabidiol (CBD) in patients with mild to moderate symptoms of coronavirus 2019: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
• Grantee: José Alexandre de Souza Crippa
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research in Public Policies