CBD is the new wonder drug everyone is talking about with much controversy. Over the past year it has been linked to helping many health conditions and reliving pain, with new stories coming out all the time. The most recent being a link for athletes and how CBD can help them to work out longer. But since it is part of the Cannabis plant popular opinion is divided and still classed as cannabis and the judgement that goes with it.
What is CBD?
Cannabis has two elements to it, Tetrahydrocannabidol (THC), the prime mind-altering constituent of the plant, responsible for its addictive properties. The other part is Cannabidiol (CBD) the non-psychoactive extract of cannabis. To be classed as CBD, it has to contain less than 0.2 percent of THC.
So what’s different about CBD?
The difference is that we have cannabinoids in our bodies. We have a network of cannabinoids and receptors running through our bodies called “Endocannabinoid System” ES. Endo meaning coming from within. One of the main jobs of the ES is to keep the body in balance, a state known as Homeostasis. The ES has an impact on our sleep, appetite, exercise, pain, inflammation, female reproduction, metabolism, anxiety and immunity. The two main cannabinoid receptors are called CB1 and CB2.
CB1 receptors are present throughout the entire body but majority in the brain. These deal with coordination and movement, pain, emotions, moods, thinking and appetite.
CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system, affecting inflammation and pain.
Researchers believe CBD doesn’t attach directly on to CB1 and CB1 receptors, instead it seems to direct the body to use more of its own cannabinoids to the areas they are needed the most. There is also preliminary research suggesting that cannabinoids, particularly CBD, may be neuroprotective.
Health claims
There is currently research in to how CBD can help the following conditions:
Pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties; people are starting to use CBD as a natural alternative instead of prescribed pain med, especially for those suffering from chronic pain.
Quitting smoking and drug withdrawals; In two studies, the researchers noted that CBD reduced some symptoms associated with substance use disorders; including anxiety, mood related symptoms, pain and insomnia.
Epilepsy; FDA in America researched the effects of CBD oil for treating epilepsy. They approved the use of CBD ( Epidiolex ) as a therapy for two rare conditions characterized by epileptic seizures in 2018.
Neurological conditions; Authors of a 2014 review noted that CBD has anti-seizure properties. The findings also suggested that CBD could possibly treat complications linked to epilepsy, such as neurodegeneration, neuronal injury, psychiatric diseases and schizophrenia.
Fighting Cancer; British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found evidence that CBD significantly helped to prevent the spread of cancer, suppress the growth of cancer cell and promote their destruction.
Anxiety Disorders; Also though THC can trigger anxiety and paranoia, the authors of a review from Neurotherapeutics found that CBD may help reduce anxiety related behaviours in people suffering from: PTSD, general anxiety disorder, Panic attacks, social anxiety disorder and OCD.
Type 1 Diabetes; Type 1 diabetes results from inflammation that occurs when the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas. Research published in 2016 by Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation found that CBD may ease this inflammation in the pancreas. This may be the first step in finding a CBD based treatment for type 1 diabetes.
Acne; The condition is caused by inflammation and overworked sebaceous glands in the body. Researchers have found that CBD helps to lower the production of sebum and inflammation and could become a future treatment for acne.
Alzheimer’s Disease; Initial research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found CBD was able to prevent the development of social recognition deficit in suffers. Which means CBD could help people with early on set Alzheimer’s to keep the ability to recognize the faces of their loved ones and slow the progression of the disease.
Although these are all in their initial stages of research, the results seem promising and it shows the amount of funding and research they are ploughing in to further understanding CBD.
CBD legal in the UK
I am writing this post from a UK perspective where CBD oil is legal. In the UK you can buy CBD oil from Main high street health stores such as Holland and Barrett and large named pharmacies such as Lloyds. However they can only sell it as a food supplement and cannot claim any medical effects.
You can buy CBD oil on line and other companies, but my one advice would be buy from a retailer you know and trust. The issue CBD is facing at the moment is that it is not properly regulated, just like any other supplement, you need to know what you are buying. How much CBD it contains and what the carrier oils which are included in the product. And to be classed as CBD it needs to have less than 0.2% THC where there are reports some products are higher. Research well before you buy.
According to Cannabis Trades Association UK, the number of cannabidiol consumers shot from 125,000 in 2017 to 250,000 in 2018.
I first came aware of CBD 10 months ago, going past Holland and Barrett. Although it was legal it was treated as under the counter food supplement which doesn’t make much sense. In my recent visit to the store, I was greeted by a whole range of CBD oils and pills including creams for skin care and muscle rubs. Which shows the progress and popularity CBD is receiving as World Health Organisation ( W.H.O ) and the NHS (British health care system) acknowledging the research and the effects people with health conditions are witnessing; who knows what the next steps for CBD might be.
Look out for part 2 . . .
In part two of my CBD blog post, I will discuss the potential effects CBD has to treat chronic pain and how it could be the turning point for treating Endometriosis.
effective way to reduce pain and relax their bodies. However it is the THC element which makes
Me, You and Mina 