Several studies have pointed out a correlation between the occurrence of OCD and cannabis use (De Alwis et al., 2014; Bidwell et al., 2014; Loflin et al., 2014).
However, whether cannabis use precipitates OCD or cannabis is used to self-medicate against the symptoms of OCD remains to be elucidated.
In one study in mice, CBD, but not CBDV, THCV or CBG, effectively suppressed obsessive compulsive behavior (marble burying)(Deiana et al., 2012).
Interestingly Anandamide can inhibit marble burying behavior (OCD) at low doses (1-10 microgram/mouse ICV) via stimulation of CB1, while stimulating obsessive behavior at high doses (20/40 microgram/mouse ICV) via stimulation of TRPV1 (Umathe et al., 2012).
Thus stimulation of CB1 and/or inhibition of TRPV1 might both be beneficial in the treatment of OCD.
References:
De Alwis, D., Agrawal, A., Reiersen, A.M., Constantino, J.N., Henders, A., Martin, N.G., and Lynskey, M.T. (2014). ADHD symptoms, autistic traits, and substance use and misuse in adult Australian twins. J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 75, 211–221.
Bidwell, L.C., Henry, E.A., Willcutt, E.G., Kinnear, M.K., and Ito, T.A. (2014). Childhood and current ADHD symptom dimensions are associated with more severe cannabis outcomes in college students. Drug Alcohol Depend. 135, 88–94.
Deiana, S., Watanabe, A., Yamasaki, Y., Amada, N., Arthur, M., Fleming, S., Woodcock, H., Dorward, P., Pigliacampo, B., Close, S., et al. (2012). Plasma and brain pharmacokinetic profile of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarine (CBDV), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG) in rats and mice following oral and intraperitoneal administration and CBD action on obsessive-compulsive behaviour. Psychopharmacology (Berl.) 219, 859–873.
Loflin, M., Earleywine, M., De Leo, J., and Hobkirk, A. (2014). Subtypes of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cannabis use. Subst. Use Misuse 49, 427–434.
Umathe, S.N., Manna, S.S.S., and Jain, N.S. (2012). endocannabinoid analogues exacerbate marble-burying behavior in mice via TRPV1 receptor. Neuropharmacology 62, 2024–2033.