What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: CBD, Pain, Addiction, Neuroprotection.

Where was this research published?

Published in Scientific reports on January 11, 2026.

CBD cuts opioid-seeking behavior without reducing pain relief

Q: What did this research study find?

**CBD significantly reduced oxycodone self-administration** in both pain-free and neuropathic pain rats, demonstrating its potential to curb opioid-seeking behavior regardless of pain status

Cannabidiol reduces oxycodone self-administration while preserving its analgesic efficacy in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

Scientific reports • January 11, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

This groundbreaking study reveals that CBD may offer a solution to one of medicine's most pressing challenges: reducing opioid dependence while maintaining effective pain relief. Researchers used rats with chronic neuropathic pain to test whether CBD could decrease oxycodone self-administration without compromising its pain-relieving benefits. The rats were trained to self-administer oxycodone intravenously, then underwent surgery to induce nerve pain similar to chronic pain conditions in humans. The scientists tested CBD at doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg and measured both drug-seeking behavior and pain responses.

The results were remarkable: CBD significantly reduced oxycodone self-administration in both pain-free and pain-affected rats, suggesting its potential works regardless of pain status. Critically, while CBD decreased the rats' motivation to seek oxycodone, it did not interfere with oxycodone's ability to relieve pain. The oxycodone successfully reversed the pain hypersensitivity caused by nerve injury, and this therapeutic effect remained intact when combined with CBD. Interestingly, the presence of neuropathic pain alone didn't increase oxycodone consumption at the tested dose, challenging assumptions about pain-driven opioid-seeking behavior.

These findings have profound implications for the opioid crisis affecting millions with chronic pain. The study provides preclinical evidence that CBD could serve as an adjunct therapy to reduce opioid misuse risk while preserving crucial pain management benefits. This dual action—curbing addictive behavior without sacrificing analgesia—positions CBD as a promising tool for safer pain treatment strategies that could help patients reduce opioid doses and dependence risk.

💡 Key Findings

CBD significantly reduced oxycodone self-administration in both pain-free and neuropathic pain rats, demonstrating its potential to curb opioid-seeking behavior regardless of pain status

High

85%

CBD did not interfere with oxycodone's pain-relieving effects in rats with neuropathic pain, preserving the crucial therapeutic benefits while reducing drug-seeking

High

90%

Neuropathic pain alone did not increase oxycodone consumption at the tested dose, suggesting pain presence doesn't automatically drive higher opioid intake

Good

75%

CBD at doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg demonstrated dose-dependent effects on reducing opioid self-administration in the preclinical model

High

80%

📄 Original Abstract

Prescription opioid misuse is a significant public health concern among individuals with chronic pain. Treating severe pain often requires high doses of opioids, increasing the risk of developing an opioid use disorder. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating component of cannabis that has shown therapeutic potential without abuse liability. This study investigated the effects of CBD on oxycodone self-administration and hyperalgesia in an animal model of chronic neuropathic pain. Adult male rats were trained to self-administer intravenous oxycodone (0.06 mg/kg/infusion). Subsequently, they underwent chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve or received sham surgery. Paw withdrawal latency was measured using the Hargreaves test as an indicator of thermal pain sensitivity. CBD (0, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg, IP) was administered before the self-administration sessions, and pain testing was conducted afterward. The rats acquired oxycodone self-administration, as indicated by more active than inactive lever presses. CCI surgery decreased the paw withdrawal latency, confirming the induction of neuropathic pain. CCI alone did not affect oxycodone self-administration, suggesting that neuropathic pain does not substantially influence opioid intake at the dose tested. Treatment with CBD reduced oxycodone self-administration in both the sham and CCI rats. Oxycodone self-administration in the CCI rats reversed the CCI-induced decrease in paw withdrawal latency. However, CBD did not affect the antinociceptive effect of oxycodone in CCI rats. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that CBD reduces oxycodone self-administration without affecting the antinociceptive effects of oxycodone in neuropathic pain. This study supports the potential of CBD to reduce opioid use and misuse, regardless of pain status.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Scientific reports
Published: January 11, 2026
PMID: 41521216
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-31828-y

Authors (9)

Adriaan W Bruijnzeel Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. awbruijn@ufl.edu.
Azin Behnood-Rod Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Ranjithkumar Chellian Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Wendi Malphurs Department of Orthodontics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Robert M Caudle Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
+4 more authors