Meeting Abstract
The widespread legalization of recreational cannabis use has expanded the commercialization of cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid that accounts for approximately 40% of the extracts from the cannabis plant. It is commonly used in oil form to reduce anxiety and pain in humans but has also been utilized to make pets more tranquil. It has also been promoted as a weight loss agent. Most research on CBD has focused on mammals, but this study aimed to uncover the physiological effects cannabidiol oil has on small amphibians. Specimens of Incilius valliceps were acquired and split into control and experimental groups (n=8 for each group). The animals were allowed to acclimate to the lab environment and mass was measured for each specimen before and after experimental protocols. Experimental toads were fed CBD oil in a dropper while control toads were given equal amounts of tap water. The data collected analyzed the effect on heart rate, weight, and metabolic rate. The average weight loss for the experimental group was 3.5 g more than the control group, which corresponds to and increase in metabolism caused by the CBD. Heart rates were higher among the control, which suggests that CBD oil led to a lower heart rate which may aid in a state of relaxation. Based upon these mixed results, further research is required to determine if Cannabidiol oil can act as a stress-reducing agent across animal taxa.
