CBD May Protect the Brain From Damage Caused by Common Food and Environmental Pollutant, Study Finds

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

December 19, 2025

A study in the Journal of Neuroscience Research suggests cannabidiol (CBD) may shield the brain from acrylamide, a pollutant formed in high-temperature cooking like frying and baking. Conducted by University of Patras scientists on male mice, it tested CBD against acrylamide's neurotoxicity, which crosses the blood-brain barrier, causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and signaling disruptions linked to neurodegeneration. Acrylamide-exposed mice showed anxiety-like behaviors, reduced movement, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), oxidative damage, and impaired cholinergic signaling vital for memory and cognition. It also lowered brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus, essential for neuroplasticity. CBD co-administration mitigated these: it reduced anxiety, boosted movement and exploration, lowered oxidative stress markers, restored antioxidants partially, and curbed inflammation across brain regions. Notably, CBD elevated BDNF levels, countering acrylamide's effects. Researchers conclude CBD exhibits neuroprotective properties by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation, and cholinergic dysregulation, positioning it as a potential therapy against pollutant-induced damage. Though animal-based, the findings highlight acrylamide's risks—widespread in diets and environments—and CBD's role in mitigation, urging further human studies to validate therapeutic applications for common exposures.