For those who might be exploring the benefits of cannabis or are considering its many therapeutic effects, Cannabidiol, often abbreviated as CBD is especially important for cannabis patients. CBD possess a wide array of therapeutic effects, without the psychoactive and intoxicating effects that are typically associated with cannabis.
CBD is one of close to 85 cannabinoids present in cannabis, with THC being the most commonly known. Cannabinoids are chemicals within cannabis that offer relief to patients, similar to natural compounds in our body called endocannabinoids.
As a standalone drug, this cannabinoid has garnered significant interest in the last ten years from the medical community for a number of benefits as a1:
The potential value of CBD for patients
With increased pressure from the North American public, cannabidiol has taken center stage as a drug with an impressive volume of therapeutic applications, but is often still wrapped up in state and federal politics and medical cannabis legalization. With increased attention and further legalization efforts in the United States, research surrounding the health applications are still in its infancy stages, but documentation and clinical trials continue to flow into the public sphere.
The CBD knowledge-base continues to grow
Recently, research has revolved around the use of cannabidiol for treating refractory epilepsy, most notably in children suffering from Dravet Syndrome.2 Clinical trials have explored the impacts of CBD on pediatric epilepsy, yielding positive results from a study consisting of 74 patients under the age of 18, with 90 percent of patients reporting a reduction in seizure frequency.3
Clinical evidence also demonstrates that cannabidiol can reduce anxiety-related behavior related to a number of disorders including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.4
Isolated cannabidiol oil is an emerging product available to patients, and oral consumption remains as one of the simplest ways to consume the product. CBD tinctures are also available; infused with alcohol and held underneath the tongue to aid delivery into the bloodstream. However, recent studies have suggested that vaporization of CBD might present as the most efficient way of consuming cannabidiol5, compared to other consumption methods such as topical creams and edible products.
The possibilities of cannabidiol are endless, and for patients on their cannabis journey, cannabidiol has the possibility to work wonders; supported by clinical trials and evidence, the hope is that CBD cements itself as a drug that can aid in a myriad of medical issues.
Works cited
1.Morales P, Reggio PH, Jagerovic N. An Overview on Medicinal Chemistry of Synthetic and Natural Derivatives of Cannabidiol. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00422.
2. Welty TE, Luebke A, Gidal BE. Cannabidiol: Promise and Pitfalls. Epilepsy Currents. 2014;14(5):250-252. doi:10.5698/1535-7597-14.5.250.
3. Tzadok M, Uliel-Siboni S, Linder I, et al. CBD-enriched medical cannabis for intractable pediatric epilepsy. Seizure. 2016;35:41-44. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2016.01.004.
4. Blessing EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J, Marmar CR. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2015;12(4):825-836. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1. 5. Solowij N, Broyd SJ, Hell HHV, Hazekamp A. A protocol for the delivery of cannabidiol (CBD) and combined CBD and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by vaporisation. BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology. 2014;15(1). doi:10.1186/2050-6511-15-58.
5. Solowij N, Broyd SJ, Hell HHV, Hazekamp A. A protocol for the delivery of cannabidiol (CBD) and combined CBD and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by vaporisation. BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology. 2014;15(1). doi:10.1186/2050-6511-15-58.
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