CBD According to MDs and Science
As early as 2900 B.C., marijuana has been used to treat pain. Not until recently have scientists shifted attention and study towards components of the cannabis sativa plant other than Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Most notably, Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a commonplace name in the United States in recent years both within the medical field and within the realm of retail. In December 2015, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) eased its regulations to allow CBD trials. In December 2018, the United States Congress passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to enhance farm support programs and improve crop insurance amongst other economic and environmental initiatives. The passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 legalized the sale of hemp plant and hemp products in the United States, though not all hemp-derived products became legal at this time. CBD has been and continues to be studied as a new drug and so, by law, it can not be included in food or dietary supplements or products marketed with therapeutic claims.
Products containing CBD may only be marketed as cosmetic products if they contain less than 0.3% THC. This percentage in itself is the figure that marks the fundamental difference between what is considered hemp and what is considered marijuana. A cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or less THC is considered hemp, while a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3% THC is considered marijuana. Also, THC is psychoactive, whereas CBD is not. Both the legality and scientific understanding of CBD are in flux. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD to various extents and the federal government considers CBD in the same drug class as marijuana, yet does not habitually enforce against it. Before moving any further to legalize and adopt CBD into commonplace medical practice, more studies must be conducted.
At this point, the understanding of CBD is narrow, but enough for scientists to publish data that indicates positive scientific and health properties that may be derived from hemp. Over 80 cannabinoids have been identified in the Cannabis sativa plant for study and potential use. CBD oil is the most commonly manufactured CBD product. To make CBD oil, CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant, then diluted with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil. Cannabidiol is most commonly used to treat seizure disorder. It’s effectiveness is particularly evident in the cannabidiol product named Epidiolex manufactured by GW Pharmaceuticals. This prescription drug treats seizures in children and adults alike whether their diagnosis be any of the following: Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex. Nonetheless, it is still typically taken in addition to traditional anti-seizure medications and cannot usually stand alone as an entire treatment. Additionally, CBD is recognized in the medical community for its pain-relieving properties. The endocannabinoid system in the human body regulates sleep, appetite, pain, and immune system response. When the body produces neurotransmitters known as endocannabinoids, they bind to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. CBD use increases the quantity of endocannabinoids in the body, thereby increasing receptor activity. This interaction has the capacity to reduce chronic pain and inflammation.
Sometimes, CBD may be used to treat acne for it’s anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce sebum production. Other times, CBD may be used in tandem with THC to treat pain associated with multiple sclerosis and arthritis. Sativex is an oral spray manufactured by a combination of CBD and THC that is approved to treat multiple sclerosis pain in several countries. And while CBD has not been proven to increase or decrease serotonin levels in the body, it is capable of affecting how one’s chemical receptors respond to the serotonin already present in the body. To that effect, CBD has the capacity to yield antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. By extension, it may also reduce hypertension. It is certainly a worthy treatment option to explore after conversations with a medical doctor.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-benefits
