Cannabis oil: Con or Cure?
Cannabidiol (CBD) has recently received tremendous coverage as many hail it a cure for everything from inflammation to insomnia.
Henriette Lamprecht - Last November the World Health Organisation (WHO) released its Cannabidiol Pre-Preview Report stating “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile”.
The report found no evidence of recreational use of CBD or “any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD”.
In June this year the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug, for the treatment of seizures caused by two rare forms of childhood epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome and Lennox Gestaut Syndrome. It was the first and thus far only marijuana-based drug to be approved by the agency.
What is CBD oil?
CBD is one of many compounds known as cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Researchers have been looking at the possible therapeutic uses of CBD. CBD oils are oils containing concentrations of CBD. The concentration and uses of these oils vary.
Is CBD marijuana?
Until recently, the best-known compound of cannabis was delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most active ingredient in marijuana. Marijuana contains both THC and CBD, but these compounds have different effects. THC creates a mind-altering "high" when smoked or used in cooking. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t change a person's state of mind when used. It does however appear to produce significant changes in the body, with some research suggesting it has medical benefits.
Where does CBD come from?
The least-processed form of the cannabis plant is hemp. Hemp contains most of the CBD that people use medicinally. Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, Cannabis sativa, but are very different.
How CBD works
All cannabinoids, including CBD, produce effects in the body by attaching to certain receptors. The human body produces certain cannabinoids on its own. It also has two receptors for cannabinoids, called CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, but many are in the brain. They are involved with coordination, movement, pain, emotions, mood, thinking, appetite, memory and other functions. THC attaches to these receptors.
CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system. They affect inflammation and pain. Researchers once believed CBD attached to CB2 receptors, but it now appears CBD does not attach directly to either type of receptor. Instead, it seems to direct the body to use more of its own cannabinoids.
Benefits
People claim CBD oil can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, though evidence to back up these claims is often lacking. CBD may have various health benefits. This includes among others natural pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties, fighting epilepsy, cancer, anxiety disorders, type 1 diabetes as well as Alzheimer's disease.
While a variety of online blogs and articles on the supposed benefits of cannabis oil is available, limited research does not suggest it should replace conventional medicine. Another risk factor is the fact that a lack of regulation or safety tests leaves the consumer in the dark on what exactly they’re getting.
Researchers further emphasize not foregoing conventional and established treatment available in lieu of CBD-oil. In addition certain medication can potentially interact with CBD, including amitriptyline, ibuprofen and meloxicam. The decision to use CBD oil for medical purposes needs to be based on science, not marketing, a sentiment echoed by David Cassaret (MD) in his book Stoned: A Doctor’s case for Medical Marijuana: “Medical marijuana is becoming too widespread, and the risks are too great to leave the patient to fend for himself.”
(Sources: www.medicalnewstoday.com; www.livescience.com; www.painnewsnetwork.com)
Blokkie:
@Technavio analysts forecast the global #CBDoil market to grow over 31% during the period 2018-2022, according to their latest #marketresearch report.
The report found no evidence of recreational use of CBD or “any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD”.
In June this year the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug, for the treatment of seizures caused by two rare forms of childhood epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome and Lennox Gestaut Syndrome. It was the first and thus far only marijuana-based drug to be approved by the agency.
What is CBD oil?
CBD is one of many compounds known as cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Researchers have been looking at the possible therapeutic uses of CBD. CBD oils are oils containing concentrations of CBD. The concentration and uses of these oils vary.
Is CBD marijuana?
Until recently, the best-known compound of cannabis was delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most active ingredient in marijuana. Marijuana contains both THC and CBD, but these compounds have different effects. THC creates a mind-altering "high" when smoked or used in cooking. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t change a person's state of mind when used. It does however appear to produce significant changes in the body, with some research suggesting it has medical benefits.
Where does CBD come from?
The least-processed form of the cannabis plant is hemp. Hemp contains most of the CBD that people use medicinally. Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, Cannabis sativa, but are very different.
How CBD works
All cannabinoids, including CBD, produce effects in the body by attaching to certain receptors. The human body produces certain cannabinoids on its own. It also has two receptors for cannabinoids, called CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, but many are in the brain. They are involved with coordination, movement, pain, emotions, mood, thinking, appetite, memory and other functions. THC attaches to these receptors.
CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system. They affect inflammation and pain. Researchers once believed CBD attached to CB2 receptors, but it now appears CBD does not attach directly to either type of receptor. Instead, it seems to direct the body to use more of its own cannabinoids.
Benefits
People claim CBD oil can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, though evidence to back up these claims is often lacking. CBD may have various health benefits. This includes among others natural pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties, fighting epilepsy, cancer, anxiety disorders, type 1 diabetes as well as Alzheimer's disease.
While a variety of online blogs and articles on the supposed benefits of cannabis oil is available, limited research does not suggest it should replace conventional medicine. Another risk factor is the fact that a lack of regulation or safety tests leaves the consumer in the dark on what exactly they’re getting.
Researchers further emphasize not foregoing conventional and established treatment available in lieu of CBD-oil. In addition certain medication can potentially interact with CBD, including amitriptyline, ibuprofen and meloxicam. The decision to use CBD oil for medical purposes needs to be based on science, not marketing, a sentiment echoed by David Cassaret (MD) in his book Stoned: A Doctor’s case for Medical Marijuana: “Medical marijuana is becoming too widespread, and the risks are too great to leave the patient to fend for himself.”
(Sources: www.medicalnewstoday.com; www.livescience.com; www.painnewsnetwork.com)
Blokkie:
@Technavio analysts forecast the global #CBDoil market to grow over 31% during the period 2018-2022, according to their latest #marketresearch report.
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