A small Australian study suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) does not impair people’s cognitive or driving skills when taken in doses that are commonly used for medical purposes.
For the study, the scientists asked 17 healthy adults to complete a series of four driving assessments and cognitive tests after taking a placebo or CBD oil at a dose of 15, 150, or 1,500 milligrams (mg). These doses represent amounts that are normally consumed to manage conditions such as epilepsy, pain, anxiety and sleep disorders, the researchers reported on May 30 in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
In each of these four test scenarios, participants completed tasks between 45 and 75 minutes after taking the placebo or CBD oil dose, and again between 3.5 and 4 hours later. CBD is thought to reach peak blood levels in three to four hours after an oral dose, according to researchers.
To demonstrate how CBD affected driving, participants had to drive behind another vehicle at a safe distance and then navigate simulated routes on urban and rural roads. The scientists measured how well the participants controlled the car, as well as how much the vehicle weaved or drifted. They also administered cognitive tests and took blood samples to determine participants ’plasma CBD concentrations.
None of the CBD oil doses appeared to impair driving or cognitive performance or make participants feel intoxicated, according to the study.
“While CBD is generally considered ‘non-intoxicating’, its effects on security-sensitive tasks are still being established,” said lead author Danielle McCartney, PhD, University of Sydney, in the university press release. “Our study is the first to confirm that, when consumed alone, CBD is safe for the driver.”
Medical marijuana was legal in 37 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in February 2022, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Although drunk driving is illegal in all states, laws against driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs vary from state to state; you can see them on a site produced by the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Researchers point out that driving while on the CBD is legal in Australia and many other countries. The results of the new study are based on previous evidence suggesting that CBD does not necessarily cause intoxication. Another component of cannabis, THC, can induce sedation and a euphoric increase that has previously been associated with impaired cognition.
THC can adversely affect areas of the brain that control movement, balance, coordination, memory, and judgment, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For drivers, THC can also reduce reaction times and reduce the ability to make decisions.
While the new study suggests that these issues may not arise for drivers using CBD oil, the study team warns that their findings only apply to the specific doses they tested. At higher doses of CBD, or in combination with other substances, drivers may not work optimally.
“This study only looked at CBD in isolation,” Dr. McCartney said. “Drivers taking CBD with other medications should do so with caution.”
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