CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabis-derived chemical that has been extensively pushed as a panacea for, well, everything. At the time of writing, CBD can be found in a vast array of lifestyle-improving products, ranging from sports-recovery balms and personal lubricants to sleeping aids and energy boosters that might keep you up all night (yes, take your pick!).
What Is Cannabidiol (CBD), and Where Can I Get It?
However, let’s begin with defining CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating chemical constituent of the cannabis plant and the hemp plant (both of which belong to the same plant species). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in marijuana, is the major reason cannabis plants are produced. Nevertheless, according to a report published in Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences in November 2016, a large amount of THC has been bred out of many hemp plants. Textiles, insulation, food, paper, vitamins, and skin care products are just a few of the many use for cultivated plants.
While the media may depict CBD (which is available as oils, candies, tinctures, lotions, tablets, and more) as a panacea, a 2018 study published by the World Health Organization showed that it has only been shown beneficial in treating a limited range of conditions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sees CBD similarly to dietary supplements, which means that CBD products may be marketed without effectiveness evidence. “Buyer beware” accurately describes the present situation.
How Might CBD Help Individuals Suffering from PTSD?
Will CBD Oil Help with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
What uses does CBD have?
Current research on CBD’s medical potential is reviewed, along with the illnesses and disorders for which the Food and Drug Administration has approved CBD products.
Pain In a study published in Current Neuropharmacology, researchers discovered that inflammation and pain perception were decreased when CBD interacted with the vanilloid receptor family. A study published in the European Journal of Pain in July 2016 indicated that CBD may help arthritic patients manage pain. The CBD gel was administered transdermally (through the skin) to the research animals, and the outcomes demonstrated a decrease in inflammatory markers and pain-related behaviors.
Stress and depression Researchers have investigated the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders for decades. Current research indicates that topical CBD has “great potential as a treatment for various anxiety disorders,” according to a study published in October 2015 in Neurotherapeutics. According to a research review published in September 2015 by the Journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, “preclinical data substantially supports CBD as a therapy for anxiety disorders.” This encompasses PTSD, GAD, OCD, and SAD.
Epilepsy Decades of anecdotal evidence of CBD’s efficacy in treating epilepsy and a limited number of high-quality scientific research tend to support these claims. In a research done on individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and published in May 2018 in the New England Journal of Medicine, CBD was shown to be effective at reducing seizure frequency (LGS). In 2018, the FDA cleared an oral CBD formulation for the treatment of LGS and Dravet syndrome, two kinds of epilepsy.
Side effects of cancer chemotherapy Much of the research into CBD’s potential as a cancer treatment has focused on its ability to reduce chemotherapy- and radiation-induced nausea and vomiting. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone) for the treatment of these symptoms (nabilone). According to the American Cancer Society, scientists have shown in recent years that CBD may decrease cancer cell development.
cutaneous problems, such as acne A July 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation suggests that topical cannabidiol (CBD) may be useful against acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In a July 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, CBD (and THC) were shown to be beneficial in reducing the itching and inflammation associated with eczema and psoriasis.
Scientists in England discovered that CBD reduced resting blood pressure by 6 mmHg following a single dose in a group of healthy guys aged 19 to 29 who were nonsmokers and had never used cannabis. This data implies that CBD may also reduce stroke risk. The results of the study, which were published in July 2017 in JCI Insight, imply that the response may be due to CBD’s anxiolytic and analgesic characteristics.
Addiction Despite being technically classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration and therefore currently being illegal in nearly half of the United States, CBD has demonstrated a great deal of promise in combating addiction to everything from opioids and cocaine to alcohol and tobacco. In a number of preclinical investigations, including one published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in June 2017, CBD has shown potential as an alternative to opioids.
Diabetes Numerous studies, including one published in February 2012 in the American Journal of Pathology, have connected CBD to positive benefits in individuals with diabetes. Observational studies have shown that cannabis users had lower fasting insulin levels and markers of insulin resistance.
How does CBD function and what are its possible side effects?
If you suffer from any of these ailments and are contemplating trying CBD to see if it helps, you should also be aware of the possible negative effects. The most common adverse responses are nausea, vomiting, vertigo, dry mouth, and stomach discomfort. CBD may interact with a variety of medicines, including warfarin (a blood thinner) and clobazam, according to research. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss the use of CBD-containing products with your physician or other healthcare expert (used to treat epilepsy).
How Can You Be Sure of CBD Product Ingredients?
Next, we must solve the challenge of identifying items with accurate labels. According to a research published in November 2017 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, many CBD products do not contain the amount of CBD stated on their labels. Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania conducted laboratory tests to establish whether or not the CBD content of 84 products matched their labels. Seventy percent of CBD products had erroneous labelling, and 26% had less CBD than advertised, which might negate any potential medicinal impact.
CBD is not suitable for everyone, just as aspirin and zinc oxide are not. Despite being “natural,” it may not be safe for everyone, especially those who are currently taking prescription medications. Educate yourself about the origins, manufacturing method, and suggested dose of CBD products before using them.