5 things you need to know about cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol (CBD) changes the data around the use of cannabis as a drug.
Most people have heard of a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the cannabis ingredient that “intoxicates” users. But recently, attention has turned to another cannabis compound, cannabidiol (CBD).
Because while doctors do not seem to overcome some of the side effects of THC, CBD does not appear to have this problem. On the other hand, evidence of CBD pharmaceutical benefits continues to proliferate.
Here are five things you need to know about this unique association:
1. CBD is a key ingredient in Cannabis
CBD is one of more than 60 compounds found in cannabis that belong to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. Of these compounds, CBD and THC are usually present in higher concentrations, and are therefore the most recognizable to be studied.
CBD and THC levels tend to vary between different plant varieties. Cannabis grown for recreational purposes often contains more THC than CBD. However, using selective breeding techniques, cannabis growers have been able to create varieties with high CBD levels and almost zero THC levels. These varieties are rare, but have become very popular in recent years.
2. CBD is non-psychoactive
Unlike THC, CBD does not cause “intoxication”. While this makes CBD a bad choice for recreational users, it makes it very important as a medicine, as health professionals prefer
treatments with minimal side effects.
CBD is non-psychoactive because it does not act on the same pathways as THC. These pathways, called CB1 receptors, are highly concentrated in the brain and are responsible for the psychotropic effects of THC.
A 2011 review published in Current Drug Safety concludes that CBD “does not interfere with the various psychomotor and psychological functions.” The authors add that many studies show that CBD is “well tolerated and safe”, even in high doses.
3. CBD has a wide range of pharmaceutical benefits
Although CBD and THC act in different ways in the body, they seem to have many common medicinal benefits. According to a 2013 review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, studies have shown that CBD has the following medicinal properties:
– Antiemetic: Reduces nausea and vomiting
– Anticonvulsant: Suppresses seizure activity
– Antipsychotic: Fights mental disorders
– Anti-inflammatory: Fights inflammatory disorders
– Antioxidant: Fights neurodegenerative disorders
– Anti-cancer: Fights cancer cells and cancer
– Anxiolytic / Antidepressant: Fights stress and depressive disorders
Unfortunately, most of this data comes from animal studies, as very few studies have been done on the effect of CBD on sick humans.
But a pharmaceutical version of CBD was recently developed by a UK-based pharmaceutical company. The company, GW Pharmaceuticals, now funds clinical trials of CBD as a treatment for schizophrenia and certain types of epilepsy.
Similarly, a team of researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center, led by Dr. Sean McAllister, has stated that they hope to begin testing for CBD as a treatment for breast cancer.
4. CBD reduces the negative effects of THC
CBD seems to offer natural protection against cannabis psychoactivity. Numerous studies show that CBD acts to reduce the intoxicating effects of THC. CBD also appears to counteract the hypnotic effects of THC, which may explain why certain varieties of cannabis are known to increase alertness.
Both CBD and THC have been shown to pose no risk of fatal overdose. However, in order to reduce the possible side effects, medical users may prefer to
use Cannabis with higher CBD levels.
5. CBD is still illegal
Although CBD holds great promise as a drug, it remains illegal in many parts of the world. CBD is classified as a Table 1 substance in the United States and as a Table 2 substance in Canada.
On the other hand, the US Food and Drug Administration recently approved a request to test the CBD drug in children with rare forms of epilepsy. The drug was produced by
GW Pharmaceuticals and is called Epidiolex.
According to the company, the drug “contains more than 98% CBD, traces of certain other cannabinoids, and zero THC”. GW Pharmaceuticals also produces another Cannabis-based drug called Sativex, which has been approved in more than 24 countries for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
A patent granted to U.S. Health and Human Services in 2003 (US6630507) also covers the use of CBD as a treatment for various neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders.
source: http://www.leafscience.com/2014/02/23/5-must-know-facts-cannabidiol-cbd/
Note All articles published here refer to information on all cannabinoids, but in Greece it is not possible to access THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is not yet legal in our country.
