CBD, or cannabidiol, is an organic chemical compound, one of over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis, the Cannabis sativa plant, with calming and healing properties. Although sourced from hemp, it has little to do with marijuana. It does not have a psychotic effect, but has a great healing potential. Does CBD improve sleep quality? Eases anxiety and pain? Check what scientific studies say about the effectiveness of CBD.
CBD (cannabidiol)is obtained from the hemp plant. It is worth noting, however, that the term "hemp" is not the same as marijuana. Marijuana is obtained from many varieties of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L. var indica). Apart from them, the hemp family includes varieties of wild hemp (Cannabis sativa L. var ruderalis) and true hemp (Cannabis sativa L. var sativa), also known as fibrous. Cannabis is known primarily for the psychoactive properties that the plant owes to the presence of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD is present in the cannabis plant alongside THC, but this plant is not the source of its extraction.
Medicinal CBD is extracted from Cannabis sativa L. var sativa. Its varieties contain less than 0.3% THC in dry weight, which makes them non-psychoactive. Cannabidiol itself is a natural remedy that is non-narcotic. CBD has antipsychotic, anxiety-relieving, sedative, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, and pain-reducing properties.
CBD - how does it work?
There are two types of receptors in the human body that cannabinoids can attach to - CB1, found mainly in the nervous system, and CB2, in the immune system. They are part of the endocannabinoid system, which in addition to receptors is created by enzymes and cannabinoids produced by the body.
It was long thought that CBD did not bind to these receptors, but a process of studying the mechanisms of action of cannabidiol found that it likely had a weak affinity for CB1 and a stronger affinity for CB2.
Currently, the exact mechanism of action of CBD is not yet understood. Cannabidiol can interfere with the inactivation of anandamide (a cannabinoid produced by the body) by trapping it or causing enzymatic degradation, leading to indirect activationCB1 receptor.
CBD is also a known agonist of serotonin 5-HT1A receptors and vanilloid type 1 receptors (TRPV1). It may also enhance adenosine receptor signaling by inhibiting adenosine inactivation, suggesting a potential therapeutic role in reducing pain and inflammation. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this compound may explain its potential neuroprotective effects.
Regardless of the mechanism of action, there is evidence that CBD has the potential to treat and alleviate the symptoms of various neurological disorders such as epilepsy and seizures, psychosis, anxiety, movement disorders (e.g. Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) ) and multiple sclerosis.
CBD - scientifically proven healing properties
Drug-resistant epilepsy
Epilepsy is the first disease in which the CBD-containing drug Epidiolex has been legalized for use. Studies conducted on adults and children show that CBD may improve the he alth and comfort of life of people with epilepsy.
A meta-analysis published in 2022 in the journal Frontiers in Neurology showed that over 60% of respondents describe clinical improvement in drug-resistant epilepsy. Both CBD-rich plant extracts (e.g. oils) and purified cannabidiol are effective.
Interestingly, CBD in its natural form has a much stronger effect than the purified compound. Patients taking the extracts needed a concentration of CBD 4 times lower for positive effects. These data suggest that CBD is 4 times "more potent" when administered in herbal form, possibly because other minor compounds present in the extract may contribute to its therapeutic effects.
The interpretation of the greater potency of CBD in combination with other compounds is consistent with previous reports of a synergistic effect between cannabinoid and even non-cannabinoid compounds.
Side effects may occur when treating epilepsy with cannabidiol. The most commonly reported side effects were changes in appetite (much more food needed), somnolence, gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhea, weight changes (increase), fatigue and nausea.
CBD therapies are effective and safe, at least in the drug-resistant epilepsy patient population, given the risks and benefits of treating this severe neurological condition. A significant proportion of patients benefit from treatment, and adverse events, when they occur, are fairly mild.
Movement disorders
Clinical trials andpreclinical studies indicate a beneficial effect of CBD in the treatment of movement disorders - dystonia, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. The mechanisms by which CBD exerts its effects are still not fully understood.
It is worth noting that CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and both inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with the pathogenesis of various movement disorders. Data available in the publications indicate a protective role for CBD in the treatment and prevention of certain movement disorders. Although there is little research, CBD appears to be effective in treating dystonic movements, both primary and secondary.
It's worth noting that in some cases, especially in multiple sclerosis and Huntington's disease, clinically beneficial effects are only seen when CBD is combined with Δ9-THC in a 1: 1 ratio, as in Sativex.
In fact, the therapeutic effects are likely due to Δ9-THC. Nevertheless, CBD has been shown to reduce the unwanted effects of Δ9-THC, such as slowness, memory impairment, and psychosis.
Regarding Parkinson's disease, although preclinical studies are promising, several patient studies have failed to detect improvement in motor symptoms following treatment with CBD. In animals, the beneficial effects are seen when CBD is administered before or immediately after manipulation to induce Parkinson's-like symptoms. This suggests that CBD may play a preventive rather than therapeutic role.
In clinical practice, Parkinson's disease is diagnosed by the appearance of motor symptoms - which occur up to 10 years after the onset of neurodegeneration and the appearance of non-motor symptoms. At the time of diagnosis, approximately 60% of the dopaminergic neurons are already lost.
The fact that in clinical trials CBD is not administered until the disease has progressed so significantly may explain the conflicting results. Unfortunately, early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease remains a challenge in the implementation of prevention strategies. The development of diagnostic criteria for detecting disease in the early stages would extend the uses of CBD.
The molecular mechanisms involved in CBD treatment of motor disorders are possibly multifaceted. They may be dependent on the action of CBD on 5-HT1A, CB1, CB2 and PPARγ receptors. Moreover, all movement disorders are related to some degree with oxidative stress and inflammation, and CBD has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Human and animal studies suggest CBD may offertherapeutic benefits for disorders associated with inappropriate responses to traumatic memories. CBD's influence on various stages of aversive memory processing makes this compound a potential pharmacological addition to psychological therapies in post-traumatic stress disorder.
CBD also has fewer side effects than the drug therapy currently used to treat this type of disorder. However, more research is needed to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms involved in CBD's therapeutic effects.
Additional controlled studies showing CBD's effectiveness in human post-traumatic stress disorder are also needed. While much remains to be discovered, treatment for patients with stress-related injuries and disorders with CBD shows promise.
Anxiety and anxiety
Symptoms of excessive fear and anxiety are present in many neuropsychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Preclinical evidence shows conclusively that CBD is effective in reducing the anxiety behaviors associated with many disorders. CBD's anxiolytic effects appear to be dependent on its effects on CB1R and 5-HT1AR receptors in several areas of the brain, but the exact mechanism is unknown.
The results of human experiments confirm the preclinical results and also suggest no anxiety and anxiety effects, minimal sedation and an excellent safety profile.
Chronic Pain
Research into CBD-containing products and their use in pain management is promising. CBD can be an alternative for people who suffer from chronic pain from a variety of causes (cancer, rheumatism, neuralgia, fibromyalgia) and benefit from medications such as opioids, which can be addictive and have side effects.
The growing prevalence of the non-psychoactive CBD cannabinoids provides an opportunity to treat incurable chronic pain for which basic treatments are either insufficient or impossible.
Initial mechanism of action studies indicate CBD modulation of hepatic cytochrome p450, leading to increased bioavailability of endogenous pain mediators and exogenous analgesics, including THC. Clinical trials are necessary to develop specific methods of action in the treatment of pain in various diseases.
Nausea and vomiting
Lots of research into how CBD works on nauseafocuses on the benefits for people with cancer. Nausea and vomiting are often side effects of chemotherapy. Animal studies suggest that CBD may help relieve nausea because it interacts with the receptors of serotonin, a hormone that affects mood and overall well-being.
While CBD may play a role in reducing nausea, researchers have concluded that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, has a much greater effect on reducing nausea and vomiting.
Human studies also show that a combination of CBD and THC can provide relief from nausea in people undergoing chemotherapy.
The American Cancer Society has included cannabinoids in its list of drugs for the treatment of nausea and vomiting. The organization explains that these compounds are helpful in cases where the usual anti-nausea and vomiting medications do not work. Chemotherapy is often associated with a severe decrease in appetite, and cannabinoids can help with this as well.
There are currently two synthetic cannabis-derived drugs that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. They are Nabilone and Dronabinol.
What CBD products are available and legal on the Polish market?
- Oils with various concentrations of CBD - from 2.5 to 40%
- Hemp drought
- CBD pastes
- Liquids for e-cigarettes
- Gel capsules with various CBD concentrations
- Dietary supplements containing CBD in combination with other ingredients, e.g. omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and vitamin A
- Warming ointments
- Creams and other face cosmetics
- Chewing gums
- CBD oils for animals
The most popular are CBD oils that are taken orally, under the tongue. Manufacturers may recommend different dosages, but usually 3-4 drops kept under the tongue for a minute taken 1 to 3 times a day.
Is the use of CBD products safe? For adults, CBD appears to be a very safe product. CBD causes side effects in a handful of people, including nausea, fatigue, and irritability. It can also interact with some medications, so always consult your doctor before use.
It happens that CBD products are used by pregnant women. They can't use a lot of drugs, and CBD seems like a good option because it's a natural product. However, there are risks associated with taking CBD while pregnant as it is not known how this compound affects fetal development.
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