Alcohol and alcoholism
Effects of cannabidiol on risky decision-making and autonomic function in alcohol use disorder
By McGuire E, Hurzeler T, Logge W and 5 others.
Abstract
Aims
To examine the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on psychophysiological responding and risky decision-making in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Methods
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 18 participants with AUD completed the Columbia Card Task (CCT) following administration of CBD and placebo. Skin conductance responses (SCR) and high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) were assessed as indices of autonomic responding during task performance. Risk-taking was indexed by the number of cards selected on the CCT.
Results
CBD did not significantly affect SCR (P = .16, pBH = .326) or risky decision-making on the CCT (P > .63, pBH = 0.67). However, CBD significantly increased HF-HRV (β = 0.53, SE = 0.19, P = .005; pBH = 0.020). There was no evidence that the relationships between HF-HRV or SCR and risky decision-making differed between CBD and placebo conditions (drug × HF-HRV: P = .92; drug × SCR: P = .958; both pBH = .958).