What is CBD?
Cannabidiol or CBD is a cannabinoid from the cannabis plant whose configuration is similar to that of the infamous THC.
Although CBD, unlike THC, has none of the psychoactive effects associated with THC and the recreational use of cannabis.
CBD has many therapeutic properties as you will see throughout UK-Cannabidiol.com. Here we will try to outline a few.
It has been noticed that CBD has a very weak affinity with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), but that it acts, however, more pronounced on other receptors of the human body, such as GPR55 or 5-HT1A.
One interesting feature of this molecule is its low toxicity, and the fact that there are very few adverse side effects: at its worst, too high a dose would only cause sedation (the desire to sleep).
Products containing CBD are often consumed orally, and often in the form of oil, capsules or spray, the latter being used under the tongue (sublingual).
The ideal dose of CBD has not yet been defined by science and can vary according to the disease to be treated. It is often advised to begin using 1mg of CBD per kg of body weight, 3 or 4 times a day, then gradually increase this dosage until the effective dose is found.
CBD is also found in creams, ointments and other cosmetics, for topical application. This method is used to combat localised pains or skin problems such as acne or psoriasis.
Which ailments and diseases can CBD help with?
Professor Mechoulam noticed in 1963, that from over 1,500 scientific publications on cannabidiol made since its discovery, about half of these have been done in the 5 preceding years.
This shows the growing interest in the medical research of this molecule, with many interesting properties helping treat diseases and physical conditions.
Pain and inflammation
Cannabidiol has good analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, whether in the form of topical cream or consumed orally:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: A review of their effects on inflammation – study published in the journal ‘Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry’ in February 2015.
- Cannabidiol as an Emergent Therapeutic Strategy for Lessening the Impact of Inflammation on Oxidative Stress – Publication in the journal ‘Free Radical Biology and Medicine’ in September 2011.
Multiple sclerosis
- Purified Cannabidiol, the main non- psychotropic component of Cannabis sativa, alone, counteracts neuronal apoptosis in experimental multiple sclerosis – Published in January 2016 in the DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Anxiety and depression
CBD is an effective anxiolytic, which helps regulate mood and avoid depressive phases, as shown by these recent studies on this topic:
- Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: role of 5-HT1Areceptors – Study published in the journal Neuropharmacology in October 2015.
Antidepressant-Like and Anxiolytic-Like Effects of Cannabidiol: A Chemical Compound of Cannabis sativa – Étude publiée dans la revue CNS & Neurological Disorders en 2014.
Epilepsy
Cannabidiol is effective in some patients with severe forms of epilepsy, especially in children.
- Cannabidiol: Pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders – By Dr. Devinsky published in March 2014 in the journal Epilepsia.
Diabetes
CBD may be able to reduce the incidence of diabetes, as one study on mice published in the journal Autoimunity shows. But CBD could also help treat complications related to this disease, such as as diabetic cardiomyopathy or diabetic retinopathy.
- Cannabidiol lowers incidence of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice – Published in the journal Autoimunity in April 2006
This page has been adapted from the original article on Alchimaweb and translated from French, please vist them to read the full article in French.