According to a study published today by the Journal of Neuroscience Research, the cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) may help protect the brain from damage caused by acrylamide, a widespread environmental and dietary pollutant commonly formed during high-temperature cooking processes such as frying and baking.

The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Patras in Greece, examined whether CBD could counteract neurological harm caused by acrylamide exposure in an animal model. Acrylamide is known to cross the blood–brain barrier and has been linked to oxidative stress, inflammation and disruptions in brain signaling, all of which are associated with neurodegenerative conditions.

In the study, male mice exposed to acrylamide developed anxiety-like behavior, reduced movement and biochemical signs of brain injury. According to the researchers, “Acrylamide elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6” while also increasing oxidative damage and impairing cholinergic signaling, which plays a key role in memory and cognition.

When CBD was administered alongside acrylamide, many of these effects were reduced. Behavioral testing showed that CBD “mitigated anxiety-like behavior induced by acrylamide, enhancing movement and center exploration.” At the biochemical level, CBD lowered markers of oxidative stress, partially restored antioxidant defenses and reduced inflammation in several brain regions.

The study also found that CBD countered acrylamide-related declines in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for neuroplasticity. Researchers reported that CBD “increased BDNF levels in the hippocampus, counteracting the reduction caused by acrylamide.”

In their conclusion, the authors state that CBD “exhibits neuroprotective properties by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and cholinergic dysregulation,” adding that the findings highlight CBD’s potential as a therapeutic tool against pollutant-induced neurotoxicity. While the results are limited to animal models, the researchers say the data underscore both the neurological risks of acrylamide exposure and the possible role of CBD in mitigating related brain damage.