Clinical evidence supports CBD’s therapeutic efficacy in terms of alleviating anxiety and insomnia. Furthermore, it has also been found to ameliorate symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Finally, CBD reduces cravings for alcohol, opioids and cocaine by diminishing cravings for these substances.
Moderate doses of CBD do not pose any major safety concerns, although certain interactions may occur with certain medications. It is therefore wise to opt for products which have been third-party tested to ensure purity and quality.
Analgesic
CBD contains analgesic properties, as evidenced by studies which demonstrate it can alleviate pain from both chronic and acute conditions. Furthermore, its safe alternative to other pain medication includes not affecting respiration or alertness – making CBD an attractive prospect.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in ways still unclear; its exact mechanisms remain unknown. It has been demonstrated to act as a potent stimulator of the 3 adrenergic receptor and increase dorsal horn neurons with more glycine, thereby decreasing mechanical allodynia in mouse models of neuropathic pain.
CBD also inhibits the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes, which is associated with drug metabolism. This could lower concentrations in your bloodstream and subsequently diminish effectiveness.
Anticonvulsant
CBD has been discovered to possess antiseizure properties. Studies conducted on animal models of epilepsy demonstrated its efficacy at decreasing burst amplitude and duration as well as decreasing seizure severity with pilocarpine and penicillin acute seizures models. Furthermore, studies on human patients indicated it could help prevent seizures when taken as supplements.
CBD interacts with many receptors, yielding numerous therapeutic effects. For instance, it acts as a negative allosteric modulator of CB1 and CB2 G-protein-coupled receptors; an antagonist of GPR55; and as an inverse agonist for vanilloid receptors TRPA1 and TRPV1-4.
However, CBD may cause unwanted side effects in some individuals. Studies on laboratory animals have reported male reproductive toxicity symptoms including decreased testicular size and inhibited sperm production.
Antipsychotic
CBD acts as an antipsychotic in a unique manner that differs from traditional dopamine blockers. CBD appears to work by inhibiting the fatty acid amide hydrolase enzyme responsible for breaking down anandamide and other endocannabinoids produced naturally in the brain; this effect could also be achieved through blocking orthosteric sites of CB1 receptors; therefore it could potentially be effective at lower concentrations than those employed during clinical trials and may even be tolerated more readily by mental patients.
Studies have demonstrated CBD’s effectiveness at treating schizophrenia by decreasing symptoms. While results of such studies are promising, their findings need to be repeated with larger samples and extended over an extended period of time.
Antioxidant
CBD has been demonstrated to act as an antioxidant in several animal models. It reduces oxidative stress by inhibiting FAAH and increasing AEA availability; and inhibiting degradation of GPR55 which increases binding and activity for AEA binding [160]. CBD may also limit hippocampal neuronal death associated with binge alcohol abuse by stimulating autophagy; as well as limit generation of ROS during cisplatin cardiotoxicity studies by inhibiting production.
Studies conducted on keratinocytes have demonstrated how CBD activates Nrf2, decreasing ROS levels and protecting cells against oxidative damage. It’s also been shown to inhibit BACH1 [177], possibly accounting for its anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and analgesic properties observed during animal studies.
Anti-inflammatory
CBD interacts with receptors of the endocannabinoid system to decrease inflammation and facilitate cell regeneration, as well as to protect proteins and lipids from oxidative damage. Research has also demonstrated its beneficial properties against diabetic neuropathy as it decreases oxidative stress levels as well as prevent tyrosine nitration in cisplatin-treated mouse liver cells while simultaneously increasing energy production for greater cellular efficiency.
Studies suggest that CBD could aid with the symptoms of fibromyalgia and other pain conditions by decreasing inflammation and stimulating cell growth and differentiation. Before trying CBD supplements, however, it’s wise to speak with your physician as CBD could interact with antidepressants or warfarin, potentially interfering with their effectiveness and increasing inflammation further. Furthermore, you should avoid mixing CBD with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Neuroprotective
CBD has been demonstrated to possess neuroprotective effects in several acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. It can reduce oxidative stress by scavenging ROS and decreasing neuronal nitrite production, prevent b-amyloid-induced neuronal death and inhibit microglial activation, increase BDNF levels while simultaneously decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines production; its neuroprotective properties in neonatal ischaemia models have also been associated with its ability to activate PPARg and NF-kB activation.
CBD exerts direct action on ECS receptors by acting as a competitive substrate for FAAH to increase anandamide, and indirectly by raising 2-AG levels (123). Furthermore, CBD acts as an antagonizer of GPR55 to prevent glutamate release and excitotoxicity (123).
