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Cannabidiol is a complex molecule produced by the cannabis plant. Cannabis has been proposed for centuries as a medicinal plant. It is only recently that CBD has been scientifically studied for various disorders.
Compared with THC, CBD acts on different receptors in the brain and other parts of the body. In this way, CBD is very different from THC and can offer new treatment mechanisms. For this reason, CBD has received a lot of attention as a possible treatment for many different disorders.
CBD has been proposed as a cure or treatment for many disorders and diseases, including epilepsy, chronic pain, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or disease from Lou Gehrig) and insomnia. Some of these uses are science-based, but others are proposed by advocates of CBD and medical marijuana. Several anecdotal reports, case reports, case series and small studies have reported on CBD for many of these disorders. The information from these reports is contradictory. Case reports, case series, and small studies are considered insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the safety and effectiveness of a drug or treatment. This is because these studies are generally unable to distinguish between the effect of a drug and a placebo effect, the patient thinks that the drug works when it does not provide benefit.
However, there are two large, well-designed studies that indicate that CBD is effective in two different epilepsy syndromes. In these studies, approximately 40% of patients taking CBD had a significant reduction in some types of seizures.
RELATED: Cannabis-based Medicine Drastically Reduces Seizures
Epilepsy is the only disorder for which there is strong scientific evidence demonstrating that CBD is safe and effective. This does not mean that CBD will not work for other disorders, but epilepsy is the only one where we have clear and well documented evidence that CBD helps.
The results of these studies show that CBD has side effects. The most common are drowsiness, nausea, intestinal cramps, bloating and diarrhea. More serious side effects may occur. In one of the studies on epilepsy, about 10% of patients treated with CBD had an increase in laboratory tests of liver function. These tests usually indicate liver damage. About 2 to 3% of patients taking CBD had to discontinue it due to large increases in some liver enzymes in laboratory tests, showing possible liver damage.
We are also studying the drug interactions that occur with CBD. In these studies, CBD slowed the metabolism of several medications commonly administered to people with epilepsy. Interactions between CBD and other drugs took side effects. It is not known if these side effects were due to CBD, other drugs or a combination. The doses of the other drugs have been reduced because of the interactions.
The mechanism of these interactions indicates that there are probably several other interactions between CBD and other common drugs. Cannabidiol should be used with caution in combination with other drugs.
Problems Beyond Efficiency
There are several other factors to consider regarding the CBD. Cannabidiol does not dissolve well in water. For this reason, CBD oral products are made with an oil, often a type of vegetable oil. It is important that the right oil is used.
In addition, less than 20 percent of an oral dose of CBD is absorbed. This makes it difficult to produce a CBD product where CBD is absorbed reliably and consistently.
Related: Cannabis Compound Can Restore Learning and Memory in People with Schizophrenia
An FDA Study on Unregulated CBD Products Available on the Market Shows That these products are frequently contaminated with pesticides, herbicides, fungi or bacteria. In addition, the FDA has found that more than 50% of CBD products do not contain the amount of CBD on the label. This is especially true in states where CBD products are not regulated by the state. In 17 states where regulations exist, there is better control over the quality and purity of the product.
Finally, there are two pharmaceutical grade CBD products that have been studied for production by a pharmaceutical company. One is Epidiolex, and the other is still under study.
Up to now, the proof is that CBD is safe and effective for specific epilepsy syndromes. The scientific evidence is insufficient to indicate whether it is effective or ineffective for other disorders. Information from well-designed studies indicates that CBD causes significant side effects and drug interactions that need to be taken into account. Those wishing to use CBD should be managed and monitored by health professionals familiar with its use.
This article was originally published by The Conversation .
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