Study: CBD Increases Anti-Inflammatory Eicosanoids, While THC Has No Effect

The study, published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research and available online through the U.S. National Library of Medicine, examined how CBD and THC affect eicosanoids—lipid compounds derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids that play a central role in the body’s inflammatory response. Specifically, the researchers focused on three key eicosanoid-generating enzymes: lipoxygenase (LOX), cyclooxygenase (COX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450). Using plasma samples from several clinical studies, researchers compared the effects of high-CBD and high-THC cannabis on eicosanoid levels. They found that high-CBD cannabis significantly increased plasma levels of eicosanoids, especially lipoxins—compounds known to promote the resolution of inflammation.

In contrast, high-THC cannabis did not produce a similar effect.

The researchers concluded that CBD likely stimulates anti-inflammatory activity through the 15-LOX pathway, further supporting its potential use as a treatment for inflammatory diseases.