Answers to the main questions about the cannabis extract

Sales of products containing cannabidiol are expected to exceed $ 2 billion by 2021. But is the CBD right for you?

Posted: April 2019

Cannabidiol (CBD) is presented as a natural wonder that can help treat the symptoms of everything from anxiety to arthritis pain. The plant extract comes from two varieties of cannabis – hemp and marijuana – and is available in creams, tinctures, oils, patches, gelatin cubs, capsules and more. You can even add CBD to a café au lait if you go to a coffee shop in some cities.

But is the CBD safe for the elderly? There have not been many far-reaching studies on the safety of the CBD, but more traditional medications for the treatment of pain and anxiety are not exempt from the safety of the CBD. ;side effects. "I think that DBC is probably safer than many other treatments used for pain, insomnia, or anxiety," says Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care physician at Mbadachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard. Other doctors think that we do not know enough about the safety profile of CBD to be sure.

What is CBD?

CBD is different from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical cannabis that some people use to get high. CBD does not produce high, and it's not addictive. "It does not make you lose your temper and do not hurt your driving," says Dr. Grinspoon.

He has not yet fully understood how CBD works to relieve symptoms of various conditions. Our body produces natural cannabinoids that help regulate sleep, appetite and mood. Plant-derived CBD is thought to bind to CBD receptors in the body and thus may affect the body's systems.

How is CBD used?

People usually take oral CBD (such as one or two drops of oil placed under the tongue, or in pills or edible products like gums) to help reduce the symptoms of many ailments, especially the Anxiety, bipolar disorder, arthritis, diabetes, dystonia muscle disorders, convulsions, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's disease, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and insomnia.

CBD is also used in many other products: vaporized and inhaled liquids; creams that are rubbed on aching joints; and cosmetics such as creams, lip balms and even salt scrubs.

Does it work?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that there is some evidence that CBD helps reduce pain, anxiety, and symptoms of psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia). However, the NIH points out that we still do not have enough evidence to prove that CBD reduces everything except epileptic seizures. Most of the evidence comes from studies on laboratory animals.

As we announced in March, the FDA has recently approved the first marijuana – derived (Marijuana) – derived CBD (Epidolex) for the treatment of seizures badociated with rare forms of epilepsy.

In his clinic, Dr. Grinspoon sees CBD making a difference for people suffering from insomnia and anxiety. "It seems to ease people's anxiety, and for insomnia, it seems to help you fall asleep and stay asleep," he says.

But not everyone who uses CBD has success. "The reactions I receive are mixed and one patient feels that the CBD-based cream that she uses daily to wash her hands has gotten rid of the pain. she was doing nothing, "said Dr. Suzanne Salamon, badistant chief of gerontology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Harvard affiliate.

Is it safe?

Although the World Health Organization maintains that CBD is generally considered safe and well tolerated, it is unclear how much CBD is safe and for how long.

According to the NIH, CBD supplements in pill form have been safely used for six months at daily doses of up to 300 milligrams (mg) and up to four weeks at daily doses of pill-free from 1200 to 1500 mg. A dose of 2.5 mg of CBD sputum under the tongue was safely used for two weeks.

Here are some of the known risks:

Side effects. These may include diarrhea, stomach upset, nausea, tiredness, irritability, low blood pressure, dizziness or drowsiness.

Drug interference. CBD can decrease or slow down the way some drugs are broken down in the body. "This means that CBD can increase the levels of certain drugs in the blood," says Dr. Grinspoon. Warfarin (Coumadin), a blood anticoagulant, is the main concern, but there are other drugs that could also be affected, including omeprazole (Prilosec, Omesec) and amitriptyline antithexpressor (Elavil).

Is it legal?

CBD comes mainly from hemp plants, which contain a tiny amount of THC (0.3%). In December 2018, Congress legalized hemp in all 50 states, removing hemp from the list of controlled substances. But there are still restrictions and regulations in place at the federal level that dictate where, how and if CBD products can be sold. For example, edible products impregnated with CBD can not be sold from one state to another, but they can be legal in your state and all CBD supplements are illegal if they are marketed with medical or therapeutic claims.

But laws change quickly. It may be legal or not to buy or own products containing CBD in your state, and you may or may not need a prescription from a doctor, depending on the laws in effect in your community.

Contact a pharmacist or your local health department or police for more information.

CBD can also come from marijuana plants that are high in THC but contain less CBD. Marijuana use is permitted for recreational purposes in 10 states and in the District of Columbia. Marijuana use for medical purposes is legal in 33 states.

What does your CBD product contain?

The FDA does not test CBD products. This means that you do not really know what the CBD product you buy – just like the supplements you buy at a pharmacy.

The risks? First, the product may not contain the expected amount of CBD, or even none. Secondly, it can contain THC without you realizing it. "THC content is a concern and if you do not know that you are taking THC and driving, your driving may be impaired," says Dr. Grinspoon.

What kind of CBD is the best?

CBD derived from hemp and CBD derived from marijuana are widely available online, in retail stores or in cannabis dispensaries, depending on the laws of your state. What kind of CBD is the best? "It is certainly safer to start with hemp derived CBD because there will not be any psychoactivity badociated with THC," said Dr. Grinspoon.

On the other hand, a small amount of THC added to marijuana-derived CBD can contribute to the effectiveness of CBD, even though it also increases the chances that a person will become a little elevated and have some problems. operating problems.

Should you try it?

Only you and your doctor can decide if CBD is right for you. If you get the green light, Mr. Grinspoon recommends using products made from cannabis grown in the US or Canada (which has stricter safety regulations than other countries), which indicate the amount of CBD and THC on the label. to pretend to heal anything.

How should you take it?

"Start with a low dose," Dr. Grinspoon suggests. The amount of CBD you use depends on the dispensing system (whether it's an edible, a dye or a pill, for example) and your individual needs. And of course, as with any new drug, try it first in a safe environment, when you know you will be home and you will have someone on hand to make sure everything is fine. Write down the side effects and report them to your doctor if they are of concern.

There is still a lot we do not know about the CBD. "We are at the very beginning," said Dr. Salamon, "but I suspect that in the next two years we will know much more, for better or for worse."

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