| DOI: 10.29090/psa.2026.02.25.8042 | Pharm Sci Asia 2026; 53(2), 211-220 |
Cannabis-induced of behavioural effects in zebrafish: A comprehensive reviewMohamad-Firdaus Abdul Razak1,2, Razif Dasiman1,2,3, Fatin Nadzirah Zakaria1,2,3*
1 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, 42300 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
2
Natural Product & Phytomedicine Biotechnology Research Laboratory (NPPBRL), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, 42300 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
3
Optometry and Visual Sciences Research Group (iROViS), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Puncak Alam, 42300 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
The rising use of cannabis and its constituents for therapeutic and recreational purposes has intensified interest in understanding its neurobehavioral effects. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a robust model for behavioral neuroscience due to their genetic similarity to humans and conserved endocannabinoid system. This narrative review explores the behavioral effects of major cannabinoids including Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on anxiety, learning and memory, and social interaction in zebrafish. Findings indicate that THC induces dose-dependent anxiogenic effects, particularly at higher concentrations, characterized by hypolocomotion and increased bottom-dwelling. Conversely, CBD shows anxiolytic potential at moderate doses but may produce biphasic effects depending on dose and exposure timing. In cognitive assays, THC impairs learning and memory performance in spatial and associative tasks, while CBD’s effects vary based on administration phase. Limited studies on social behavior suggest cannabinoids may modulate sociability, although outcomes remain inconsistent. This review highlights methodological gaps, such as the underrepresentation of chronic exposure studies, sex-based analyses, and minor cannabinoids like CBC, CBG, and CBN. Furthermore, few studies integrate behavioral outcomes with molecular or neurophysiological endpoints. By consolidating current findings, this review underscores the potential of zebrafish as a translational model in cannabinoid research and advocates for more standardized, mechanistically informed investigations to clarify the behavioral impact of cannabis constituents.
Keyword:
Behavior; Cannabidiol; Cannabinoids; Tetrahydrocannabinol; Zebrafish
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