Cannabidiol, or CBD as it is more commonly known, is an interesting chemical. Cannabidiol has been found in abundance in certain species of potpourri, the essential oil from a cactus-like plant. Cannabidiol, like other phytochemicals, is considered a medicinal substance. It has been used to treat a range of ailments in a variety of cultures across time. Today, it is being investigated for its ability to treat glaucoma, seizures, chemotherapy, nausea, chronic pain, depression, hyperactivity, tardive dyskinesia disease, and even Alzheimer’s Disease.
Treatment for Inflammation
Cannabidiol may be useful as an anti-inflammatory in human cardiovascular disease but is not currently being studied as a treatment for any type of heart disease. One study found that CBD reduces blood pressure without increasing blood sugar. In another study found that the reduction in blood pressure was only short term and did not prevent the patient from experiencing a further increase in their blood pressure once the medication was withdrawn. While this does not necessarily mean CBD is ineffective in lowering your blood pressure, the fact that it is still in human studies and has not received regulatory approval by the US Food and Drug Administration, makes it a less than reliable source of information. There are no clinical trials currently underway.
Treating MS
Another promising use of CBD is treating multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is characterized by inflammation throughout the body, including the central nervous system. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society says that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that could help ease symptoms of multiple sclerosis. However, there are no clinical trials currently underway for this use of CBD. In one study conducted by the University of Glasgow, mice were injected with CBD; some of them developed “leaky” intestinal cells that contributed to the internal bleeding seen in these animals.
Another potential use of CBD is treating pain associated with degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. One study found that CBD significantly reduced the pain of Alzheimer’s in older mice. This was backed up by animal model research, including biochemical and genetic evidence. It also supported the idea that CBD reduced oxidative stress, which is known to contribute to the progression of this disease.
Side Effects
One of the most troubling side effects of CBD is the possibility of addiction. In most countries, including the United States, where medical grass is legal, there is very little evidence of CBD use or addiction. But CBD has become popular with people who suffer from debilitating chronic pain, because they want to avoid the potentially fatal side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Unfortunately, there is no concrete evidence that CBD is addictive, but it is difficult to avoid the temptation to try it. If you decide to use CBD as a pain management technique, make sure you do your research carefully. As with most medications, too much can be dangerous.
Despite the lack of evidence of addiction, many patients do report feeling better when they use CBD. In one study published in the Journal of Neurotherapy, CBD reduced the intensity of “reassurance” facial expressions in healthy adults, relative to placebo. This suggests that CBD may be used as an effective, natural substitute for pharmaceutical pain killers. While these results are preliminary, it seems clear that CBD may have significant health benefits when used in combination with other pain-relieving therapies. More research is definitely needed to validate all of the reported benefits and to determine whether it should be considered a substitute for prescription pain killers.