What is CBD?

Cannabidiol or CBD is the second most common cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. The importance of research around it has increased recently thanks to the rich therapeutic potential it offers to those dealing with chronic pain, neurological difficulties, inflammation, mental disorders and more. It does not induce a noticeable psychoactive effect, and in fact it can even balance and alleviate negative side effects that may arise from treatment with high THC cannabis. So why are researchers so interested in the cannabinoid known as CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol is a compound that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. It's the second most common compound among more than a hundred known as "cannabinoids". Each cannabinoid has a different effect on the human body, and most of them have medicinal and sometimes even psychoactive potential.

Unlike its more famous brother, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not produce the psychoactive effects commonly associated with cannabis use. In other words, it will not "get you high", change your perception or shape your consciousness. At the same time - the medical potential it offers is particularly rich and suitable for a wide range of people.

CBD as a pain reliever

Chronic pain is a complex and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is often caused by inflammation or damage to the nervous system, and can be difficult to treat with traditional pain medications. However, CBD has been shown to have pain-relieving properties that may benefit patients that suffer from chronic pain.

The therapeutic uses that CBD offers to those dealing with chronic pain are based on the cannabinoid's ability to create a unique interaction with the nerve receptors responsible for regulating pain and other body functions in the endocannabinoid system. On top of that, CBD can also reduce the perception of pain by activating the serotonin receptors responsible for mood regulation.

Several studies have shown that CBD may be effective in treating chronic pain caused by health conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and neuropathy. A study published in "The Journal of Pain" found that CBD can reduce pain and improve sleep quality in patients with chronic pain caused by conditions such as fibromyalgia and neuropathy. Another study published in the "European Journal of Pain" found that CBD can reduce pain and improve function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

CBD and cancer: inhibitory, anti-inflammatory and reduces oxidation

The effects and treatment recommendations regarding CBD are still being researched, but there is growing evidence that the cannabinoid has the ability to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of autoimmune diseases. In addition to the damage they may cause to those dealing with inflammatory bowel diseases, inflammations are a key cause of many health problems, including: arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and even cancer.

In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, CBD is also thought to have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can contribute to a variety of health problems, including: cancer, heart disease and accelerated aging of cells in the body.

Researchers such as Professor Dedi Meiri tested these abilities, with the latest research on the subject showing progress and a real horizon in the ability to treat various types of cancer with the help of CBD. In addition to it, a new study revealed that CBD has the ability to change, and even suppress the development and proliferation of various cancer cells.

CBD for neurological challenges

There is evidence to suggest that CBD may have neuroprotective properties. In other words, it may help protect the brain from damage caused by injury or disease. This has led researchers to investigate its potential use in the treatment of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

In fact, several high-quality studies have been conducted on the therapeutic uses of CBD for neurological challenges. For example, a 2018 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that CBD was effective in reducing the frequency of seizures in children with a rare form of epilepsy known as Dravet syndrome.

CBD has also shown potential therapeutic uses in the treatment of neurological conditions that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including seizures, tremors, and muscle spasms. For evidence, many studies show that CBD has anticonvulsant properties that may be beneficial in the treatment of neurological conditions.

One of the most well-known neurological conditions that CBD has been shown to be effective in treating is difficult-to-treat epilepsy, and it has been proven to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures that epileptics experience. In fact, the US FDA has already approved a CBD-based drug to treat seizures associated with two rare forms of epilepsy.

CBD has also shown potential for treating other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and Huntington's disease. A study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that CBD can improve motor function and reduce tremors in patients with Parkinson's disease. Another study published in the Journal of Neurology found that CBD can improve sleep quality and reduce muscle spasms in patients with multiple sclerosis.

CBD and mental coping

CBD is also being studied for its potential use in treating anxiety and depression. While the exact mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood, there is evidence to suggest that CBD may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve mood by interacting with the brain's serotonin receptors.

For evidence, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2017 found that CBD was effective in reducing anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder. The study involved 24 participants who received CBD or a placebo before a public speaking test. The group receiving CBD reported lower levels of anxiety and discomfort during the test than the group receiving the placebo.

In addition to treating common mental struggles like anxiety and depression, CBD has other potential therapeutic uses in the world of mental health care. CBD has the potential to offer an antipsychotic effect that can provide relief for those dealing with narcotic seizures. Furthermore, it has the potential to treat substance abuse disorders.

CBD improves quality of life

CBD has the potential to improve quality of life in several ways, one of which is by reducing the side effects that can be felt from treatment with medical cannabis high in THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. Although it has many therapeutic benefits, it can also cause unwanted side effects such as anxiety, headaches, feeling foggy and more.

Studies have shown that CBD can counteract some of the negative effects of THC. For example, research has found that CBD can reduce anxiety and paranoia caused by THC. By reducing these negative side effects, CBD may make cannabis use more tolerable and improve the overall quality of life for those who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes.

CBD: research superstar

The discovery of CBD dates back to the 1940s, when it was first isolated by a team of scientists led by Roger Adams from the University of Illinois. However, it wasn't until 1963 that the two cannabinoids common in the cannabis plant were discovered: THC and CBD by Professor Raphael Meshulam, right here in Israel.

The cannabinoid did not gain the limelight in the 1960s like its psychoactive cousin THC. Fortunately, innovative stand-alone treatments using high-CBD strains conducted towards the end of the first decade of the 21st century showed promising potential that also made researchers from a variety of fields interested in the unknown cannabinoid.

Since then there has been a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of CBD, and a significant amount of research has been done and is currently underway to explore its properties and potential uses. Although much of this research is still in the early stages, the evidence presented in this article and new discoveries being made every day suggest that CBD may one day offer a variety of therapeutic benefits.

The best is yet to come

Overall, research on CBD is still in its early stages, but there is growing evidence to suggest that it has a variety of therapeutic benefits. As we get more and more research results, we will likely gain a better understanding of the effects and properties of CBD and see more and more drugs and therapeutic channels that include this unique cannabinoid in them.