As CBD sweeps across America and most parts of the western world, people can’t help but raise an eyebrow over the miraculous halo that it is surrounded by.
For the uninitiated, it is a phyto-cannabinoid (a plant-derived cannabinoid) sourced from the Cannabis Sativa L. plant, also known commonly as Industrial hemp.
It is closely related to Marijuana. But it does not cause the euphoric high that pot does.
Instead, its popularity stems from the wide swath of ailments that it is touted to cure.
Some of these claims are gathered purely from anecdotal reviews.
But Marijuana’s little tepid cousin also has a bunch of researchers rooting for it courtesy a large number of preclinical and animal studies that shed some light on its potential applications in healthcare and medicine.
But before you get excited and reach out for that fancy looking vial of CBD oil or the CBD-infused balm that people argue to be the best remedy for chronic pain, let’s take a look at some of the purported benefits and what science thinks about it.
Let’s for once separate the chaff from the wheat and understand what this new-age panacea can do for you.
One plant, many benefits
CBD or Cannabidiol has been associated with an ever-growing list of benefits, with newer additions being made to it every now and then.
What’s more interesting though is that scientists and researchers are confirming most of what has been claimed by CBD savants in the past.
Here are some of primary ones that has researchers interested.
1. CBD for chronic pain relief
It is estimated that 100 million Americans struggle with some form of chronic pain. That’s an alarming statistic that reveals why America is in the midst of an opioid crisis.
Growing awareness about the potential side effects of Opioids, NSAIDs and other painkillers has led people to look for safer, alternative treatment methods.
CBD fits the bill perfectly.
It is all-natural, non-habit forming and does not cause any adverse effects even at relatively higher doses.
It is no wonder then that people affected by chronic pain are making a beeline for CBD products in all types of forms.
What’s more important is that there are at least three clinical studies that prove the effectiveness of CBD in reducing pain and inflammation.
- This preclinical animal model study conducted in Wistar rats revealed that CBD helped reduce the perception and response of the rats to incision pain. The scientists made the incisions on the paws of the rats and then applied pressure to it after giving them a CBD dose. The pain was reduced both, in the short term as well as long term, which indicates that CBD is effective in reducing pain. It may be a safer form of pain relief for a slew of conditions, like surgery and post-injury healing.
- Another preclinical animal model study conducted in rats shows CBD’s effectiveness in reducing chronic inflammation and nerve pain.
- A study involving a CBD oromucosal spray was conducted to analyze its effectiveness in reducing pain caused due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Patients who received CBD showed a significant reduction in pain during movement, when they rested and it also helped improve their quality of sleep that was otherwise affected due to pain. The caveat is that the said product also contained THC with CBD in a 1:1 ratio.
There are many ways in which one could look at this research.
There are people who would say that the research is thin and limited.
That’s primarily because Marijuana continues to be a Schedule-I substance and it would probably be a while before we have quality Industrial hemp samples available for Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled, Clinical studies with larger groups.
But many researchers are hopeful and consider these studies to be an indicator of CBD’s effectiveness in reducing inflammation, nerve pain and other types of pain caused due to injuries and spasms.
2. Can CBD really help cancer?
There are numerous clinical studies that reveal a positive link between CBD and tumor cells.
Some animal-model studies indicate that it may have a strong anti-tumor effect and may prevent aggressive cancer cells from proliferating.
But we do not have any conclusive evidence yet.
With research at a very preliminary stage, it would be too early and a tad outrageous to claim that CBD can cure cancer, although that might well be the case.
But there’s sufficient research that proves that it can be very useful in managing some of the most uncomfortable symptoms of cancer, that normally require a bevy of pharmaceutical drugs to control.
Nausea and vomiting caused due to Chemotherapy: Severe Nausea and vomiting are the most distressing, debilitating symptoms of cancer treatment. In the most extreme cases where drugs with a high emetic side effect profile are used, patients may refuse the therapy entirely. Two synthetic THC-derivatives or synthetic cannabinoids, by the names of Nabilone and Dronabinol were approved by the FDA in 1986 as anti-emetics for use in patients that failed to respond to conventional forms of therapy. More recently, preclinical research has indicated that cannabinoids like CBD can be an effective clinical therapy for treating nausea and vomiting caused due to chemotherapy.
Cancer Pain: Cancer, as well as some forms of its treatment, can cause pain, inflammation as well as nerve injury. In extreme cases, the pain can be so severe that opioids become as the patient develops a tolerance towards it. CBD and THC, when used in combination, can help reduce chronic and neuropathic pain affecting cancer patients. This is because CBD is believed to interact with CB2 cannabinoid receptors which are associated with inflammation. THC, on the other hand, interacts with CB1 receptors which are linked to nerve pain and damage.
Appetite Stimulation: The appetite stimulant effect of CBD is not understood clearly. But experts believe that it may be linked to its anti-anxiety and anti-emetic properties. When you aren’t nauseated, nor feeling anxious, you are likelier to eat more. There is a clinical study published in 2011 which reveals CBD’s effectiveness in reducing intestinal-inflammation, which is another way by which it could induce appetite. THC, on the other hand, does make you crave the munchies by stimulating the release of Ghrelin, which is one of the noted effects of smoking pot. The caveat is that you’ll have to bear with the psychoactive effects of the compound if you were to use it along with CBD.
3. CBD for Anxiety
One of the most widely propagated benefits of CBD is its ability to reduce anxiety.
There are tons of anecdotal claims that CBD has a calming effect on people and that it improves cognitive thinking, reduces stress and improves social interaction.
Research points towards the benefits of CBD for different types of psychological conditions like Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and anxiety-induced Insomnia.
A study published in 2011 shows that 400mg of CBD administered to people with SAD helped reduce anxiety levels before they were to speak publicly.
PTSD patients who normally experience nightmares, as well as the replaying of negative emotions and thoughts, have also experienced a reduction in these symptoms with CBD alone.
4. CBD for Depression
It was for long believed that CBD interacts with the CB2 receptors present in the brain and alters the levels of serotonin, which in turn improves mood.
However, recent research indicates that CBD may instead activate different molecular pathways and alter the way in which the chemical receptors react to Serotonin that’s already present in the brain.
Either way, there are multiple preclinical trials and animal-model studies that indicate CBD’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety.
Unlike traditional, pharmaceutical anti-depressant medications that take weeks to build up in the system and alleviate symptoms, CBD’s effects are felt more rapidly and last longer.
To add to this, it is non-habit forming which may make it a better alternative than Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
5. CBD for Insomnia
CBD can help you sleep better by alleviating the symptoms of some of the underlying conditions that may be causing Insomnia.
Some of these conditions are anxiety, PTSD, pain, Parkinson’s disease & REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).
PTSD patients report recurrent nightmares and disrupted sleep, which CBD helps alleviate.
RBD is a potentially dangerous condition in which the patient does not enter REM sleep and hence, lacks muscle atonia. They then act out their dreams which put them at grave risk of injury. What’s worse is that if the condition is left untreated, it can eventually progress into neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. CBD is very effective at treating RBD and preventing the condition from recurring with no adverse side effects reported.
By promoting better, undisrupted sleep, it indirectly helps reduce grogginess and excessive sleepiness during the daytime, which can improve productivity and quality of life.
A 2019 double-blind study conducted to analyze anxiety and quality of sleep in 103 patients revealed that up to 66% of the patients who received CBD capsules instead of placebo, reported an improvement in the quality of sleep.
6. CBD for Stress Relief
Stress is defined as any condition that indicates to the body that it may be under attack.
As a result, it triggers the fight or flight response and triggers a cascade of hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine.
In some, controlled situations, stress can be very useful and even potentially lifesaving since the body is hardwired to put its best performance to save itself in a stressful situation. For example, stress before an exam can force a person to focus harder.
But when you are repeatedly and chronically under stress, it has a plethora of negative effects on the body and bodily systems. It can, for example, cause your blood pressure to rise to unsafe levels. It can also increase your blood sugar levels and may even be a precursor to Type-II Diabetes.
There are numerous clinical, preclinical and animal-model studies that reveal CBD’s effectiveness in reducing stress and related disorders.
7. CBD for Skin
There’s a huge body of evidence that points towards CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects when applied topically on the skin as well as when ingested orally.
Acne: This is what makes it so effective in alleviating acne symptoms.
One study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation revealed that CBD inhibits the excessive production of oil by the sebaceous glands. This is one of the primary causes of acne.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties which may help reduce the redness and pain caused in extreme cases of cystic acne or body acne.
This may also explain why CBD body washes are so popular these days.
Psoriasis: Cannabinoid receptors present in our skin can control the rate at which new skin is produced. CBD interacts with these receptors and shuts off specific receptors that trigger excessive skin growth, which is what occurs in Psoriasis. Most treatments in use currently, focus on the short term use of corticosteroids. CBD can be a side-effect free alternative to this. This is an in-vitro study, but a promising one nevertheless.
Healing scar tissue: When applied topically, CBD helps improve hydration, elasticity and prevents transepidermal water loss, the combined effect of which can help in reducing the appearance of scars and lesions caused due to conditions like Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and even acne. Just like the rest of the studies, the sample group is quite small and more studies are needed to come to a conclusion. But initial research looks very positive. CBD may one day replace conventional scar tissue treatments.
Itching: One of the most underrated effects of CBD is its ability to reduce itching caused by numerous skin conditions. Patients who undergo hemodialysis for example, often have dry and itchy skin which requires additional treatments to control. When CBD was applied topically on their skin, they experienced 100% relief from itchy skin. Researchers believe that CBD interacts with neurotransmitters in the skin that signal the itch to the brain and shut them off. Club this with its effectiveness in improving skin hydration and elasticity and you have a complete treatment for dry and itching skin.
8. CBD for Psychosis & Schizophrenia
CBD’s use as an anti-psychotic was first suggested by some German researchers over a decade ago.
More recently, researchers at the King’s College London conducted a study which reported that even a single dose of CBD may suffice to reset abnormal activities in the brains of people who suffer from Psychosis and Schizophrenia.
In fact, if the report is to go by, then CBD may be more effective than existing pharmaceutical drugs like Haldol, which come with a slew of side effects.
While it remains to be understood how CBD really works, it is believed that it helps reestablish connections among neurotransmitters in the areas of the brain that are affected due to Psychosis.
A larger study is currently underway to understand whether CBD can be used to prevent mental health from deteriorating, in patients who are at a risk for it.
Research indicates that THC, on the other hand, may cause Psychosis. The condition is called ‘Cannabis-Induced Psychosis’.
9. CBD for Addiction Recovery
As the opioid epidemic in the United States reaches grave proportions, there is an urgent need for treatments that are easily accessible as well as side-effect free.
Methadone and Buprenorphine, the drugs that are currently used for treating opioid addiction are tightly regulated, which makes it inaccessible for millions of people. Moreover, both these drugs pose a high risk of side effects.
There are at least 14 clinical studies that show CBD’s effectiveness in helping people overcome opioid, nicotine, cannabis and alcohol addiction.
Not only did the intake of CBD help reduce cravings, but it also helped prevent a relapse of the addiction.
In a preclinical animal study involving mice, 5mg/kg of CBD every day, limited heroin-seeking behavior for two weeks after cessation of therapy.
In another study conducted on a 19-year old female who was addicted to cannabis, showed extremely positive results where all withdrawal symptoms ceased completely within just 6-days of treatment.
THC, on the other hand, may increase reward-seeking behavior from opioids and psychostimulants like Methamphetamine and Cocaine, as it reduces the sensitivity to these drugs.
10. CBD for Parkinson’s Disease
There are at least three clinical studies that show that CBD can be used as an adjunct to regular Parkinson’s treatment as it can alleviate some of the common, distressing symptoms caused due to the condition.
Patients who used CBD have also reported an improvement in their quality of life.
The first study was conducted in a group of 22 participants who used medical marijuana and reported an improvement in pain and inflammation caused due to Parkinson’s disease. The fact that medical marijuana also contains THC does not reduce the validity of the study, as there are numerous other studies (cited in this article) that reveal that CBD by itself is very effective in reducing pain and inflammation.
The second study shows CBD’s effectiveness in reducing the uncontrolled muscle movements caused due to the medicines used to treat Parkinson’s.
CBD is also effective at reducing Psychosis caused due to Parkinson’s, in extreme cases. It helped reduce symptoms of psychosis, such as delirium and hallucinations.
11. Other potential uses of CBD
As cannabinoids attract the attention of researchers and scientists, more studies with larger groups are expected to be undertaken in the near future.
There are many conditions such as Type II diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and hypertension, the symptoms of which can be alleviated with CBD. It may well be able to prevent some of these conditions entirely.
- Diabetes: While there is no conclusive research yet that shows that CBD may be able to prevent, or reverse diabetes, it may be beneficial in reducing some of the effects of Diabetes on the body. It can, for example, help reduce the inflammation caused in the walls of blood vessels due to Type-II Diabetes. It can also help reduce pain caused due to some conditions that can result from uncontrolled diabetes. There are two other studies that show that CBD is effective in reducing inflammation in the pancreas caused due to Type-I diabetes.
- Heart health: CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the risk factors that can contribute to a heart attack. One of the early studies showed that CBD can help reduce heart rate and blood pressure in a highly stressful scenario. There’s another study that shows that CBD can increase cerebral blood flow during a stroke and can aid recovery after a stroke.
- Epileptic seizures: CBD received the biggest shot in the arm in the press in 2013, when it was used by a couple in Colorado to treat their daughter’s epileptic seizures that were uncontrollable with all conventional forms of treatment. In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, the world’s first CBD-derived drug for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two extremely dangerous forms of childhood epilepsy that can be potentially fatal if left untreated.
- As a superbug antibiotic: A study conducted by the Institute of Molecular Bioscience at The University of Queensland in Australia has revealed that CBD is able to completely kill different strains of drug-resistant bacteria. Also, the bacteria were unable to create a resistance mechanism despite being exposed to CBD for 20-days. Another study was later conducted by researchers in the UK, which revealed that when clubbed with specific antibiotics, CBD can help prevent the spread of drug-resistant bacteria in the body. Both these studies are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. But it does point towards the future use of CBD as an adjunct in drug-resistant, superbug infections.
The CBD craze is far from a voguish trend.
There are tons of initial promising research that points at its effectiveness in helping treat or alleviate the symptoms of some of the most debilitating ailments.
With more on the way, it may only be a matter of time before you can gulp a few drops of CBD oil and be done with popping pills forever.