CBD has been shown to significantly alleviate symptoms associated with certain psychiatric disorders and treat pain effectively while decreasing inflammation. It may interact with other medications and impact liver function adversely; therefore it should be used with caution.
One study demonstrated that CBD significantly reduced both positive and negative BPRS symptoms of schizophrenia patients, as well as catalepsy induced by haloperidol.
Anti-seizure
CBD has been shown to be effective at managing seizures in preclinical models and small clinical trials, both preclinically and through small clinical trials. Its anticonvulsant effect is thought to be caused by inhibiting T-type voltage-gated calcium channels, its antagonistic action against GPR55 receptors, and full agonistic actions on vanilloid TRPA1 and TRPV1-4 channels. CBD may also have neuroprotective properties by decreasing oxidative stress and cell death production.
CBD also exerts its effects on the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), by acting as both an antagonist and negative allosteric modulator of CB1 receptor. Research has demonstrated its efficacy at alleviating pain, inflammation and anxiety as well as protecting against cell excitability degeneration while supporting glial cell homeostasis.
Anti-anxiety
CBD has been proven to be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. According to one study, patients given 300 mg of CBD were significantly less anxious in simulated public speaking tests compared with those given placebos or 600 mg. The effect lasted four weeks with no negative side effects identified by researchers.
CBD’s anxiolytic effects have been associated with specific receptor mechanisms and brain regions. CBD appears to inhibit responses in the amygdaloid nucleus and cingulate cortex when exposed to fearful facial stimuli, likely by disrupting forward intrinsic connectivity. Furthermore, CBD blocks reconsolidation of fear memory in elevated plus maze tests as well as Vogel conflict tests as well as improving escape electrical thresholds in DPAG in an elevated T-maze test.
Anti-psychotic
CBD has been shown to effectively alleviate psychotic symptoms in those suffering from schizophrenia. Furthermore, it blocks L-DOPA-induced catalepsy – a side effect of Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, studies have also revealed it to reduce hyperphagia and improve mood for Parkinson’s patients as well as have positive impacts on anxiety as well as physiological stress responses like elevated cortisol levels and decreased hippocampal neurogenesis.
One RCT conducted on first-episode schizophrenia patients treated for six weeks with CBD as an add-on antipsychotic saw a significant reduction in positive psychotic symptoms as well as more clinicians rating them as improved; these improvements, however, did not reach statistical significance.
Anti-spasmodic
CBD has been found to reduce spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients while decreasing pain and increasing mobility in those living with Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, CBD serves as an excellent alternative to opioids when dealing with addiction; however it cannot act as an anti-seizure medication.
Anxiolytic and antipsychotic effects are produced through non-endocannabinoid receptors such as 5-HT1A agonists acting on non-endocannabinoid receptors; peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma stimulation is also involved to suppress neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity (Costa et al. 2021).
In a double-blind study conducted on abstinent opioid users (Fitzcharles et al. 2021), CBD significantly reduced self-reported heroin craving and anxiety while simultaneously decreasing drug cue-induced physiological measures of anxiety.
Anti-inflammatory
CBD is an anti-inflammatory that may help to reduce neuroinflammation and lower Alzheimer’s risk, while also acting as an anxiolytic and antidepressant agent. CBD may offer an effective alternative to traditional pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories with severe side effects, such as corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS).
Studies suggest that CBD could assist those living with rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing inflammation and improving joint function. A separate research project demonstrated how it reduced pain associated with osteoarthritis while increasing mobility in rats.
CBD effectively blocks activation of microglial inflammasomes, an essential part of inflammation. Furthermore, CBD reduces proinflammatory cytokine production such as SERPIN E1 and IL-1 ss expression in HIV-infected microglial cells under reactivation conditions.
Anti-psychosis
CBD may act via CB1 receptor agonistic activity on inhibitory interneurons to produce antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects in humans, while simultaneously regulating biological stress pathways by blocking pro-inflammatory cytokine production and decreasing salivary cortisol production – likely explaining its great success in treating conditions like psychosis.
CBD proved significantly effective at improving PANSS scores among patients with schizophrenia in a placebo-controlled trial involving six participants who received either CBD or placebo with their existing medications for six weeks. Furthermore, an fMRI study demonstrated that CBD reduced activation in areas associated with psychosis-like symptoms – similar results to traditional antipsychotics drugs.
