Stress Response in C. elegans – A Biological Model to Assess the Use of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of PTSD

Overview

PTSD affects large portions of vulnerable populations (veterans, assault survivors, etc.), yet the current treatments for this disorder have limited efficacy. Thus, psychiatric research has begun to explore the use of alternative solutions to PTSD, such as medical marijuana. Based on previous studies, there is significant evidence that CBD––the main cannabinoid present in medical marijuana––reduces stress and PTSD related symptoms. Thus, the research observed how CBD modulated the stress response in the model organism C. elegans to the anthelmintic Albendazole. Worms were observed at 1μM, 10μM, 100μM, and 1000μM Albendazole, with and without 40uM CBD. Stress responses were analyzed using population multipliers and motility scores, based on the scale developed by Weaver et al. (2017). These values were compared using bar graphs and paired t-tests to determine whether CBD effectively reduced the stress responses in the worms. Results indicated significantly lower stress responses––indicated by higher motility scores––in treatment groups receiving CBD, compared to the groups receiving no CBD.