CBD has demonstrated great promise in treating anxiety, pain, dystonia (a movement disorder), fibromyalgia and some cancer-related symptoms – not to mention depression, PTSD and psychosis.
CBD may interact with certain medicines, including blood thinners and anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital or Lamictal anticonvulsants and antibiotics; increasing levels of these drugs in your body.
Anxiety
CBD has quickly become one of the hottest ingredients on the market, from shampoos and skincare products to drinks and even food supplements. Many companies claim their CBD-containing products treat an array of health issues including anxiety – but does it really work?
CBD was shown to produce antianxiety effects in animal models of generalized anxiety disorder through elevated plus maze (EPM), Vogel conflict test (VCT) and elevated T maze (ETM) experiments, specifically 5-HT1ARs and CB1Rs. Furthermore, CBD reduced amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex responses to fearful faces as well as blood oxygen-level dependent activation of these regions, and attenuated skin conductance fluctuations by decreasing amygdala responses and activation through blood oxygen-level dependent activation of these brain regions as well as reduce amygdala/ACs responses as well as attenuated blood oxygen level dependent activation of these regions while attenuating blood oxygen level dependent activation of these brain regions and thus decreasing amygdala/ACC responses.
CBD was also shown to enhance extinction and block reconsolidation of aversive memories, suggesting it could be an effective treatment option for various PTSD symptom domains. More research needs to be conducted on its long-term therapeutic effects in clinical populations.
Pain
CBD works to modulate the receptors in your brain that detect pain while also possessing anti-inflammatory properties to target its source. It’s an ideal treatment option for arthritis, neuropathy (pain caused by nerve damage) and muscle spasms associated with MS. Some HIV sufferers report that CBD has also helped relieve their nerve pain associated with their condition.
Clinical trials of CBD as an anxiety treatment show great promise, yet more research needs to be conducted. CBD may help reduce drug cravings among those struggling with substance use disorders and preclinical studies indicate it could extend lives for some people with an aggressive form of cancer known as glioblastoma.
CBD products come in various forms, such as oils, tinctures, capsules and vapes that enable you to inhale it directly. Topical preparations that you rub onto the skin tend to work better for relieving pain because it works through bloodstream delivery to reach specific parts of the body that need relief.
Substance use disorders
CBD has long been recognized for its therapeutic effects on numerous ailments and conditions; it may prove particularly effective for those struggling with substance use disorders. CBD can assist with cravings and anxiety as well as help boost mood while acting as an anti-inflammatory and providing sleep disturbance relief during recovery from addiction.
Studies with animals have demonstrated the efficacy of CBD to decrease cue-induced drug-seeking behavior and anxiety levels – both of which play an integral part in opioid use disorder relapses.
CBD acts as an inverse agonist of GPR3, GPR6, and GPR12 receptors in the brain, decreasing b-arestin 2 levels and cAMP accumulation induced by amyloid beta-peptide formation in Alzheimer’s disease models, while also protecting neurons against oxidative damage caused by beta-amyloid peptides forming amyloid plaques. Furthermore, CBD may help alleviate symptoms associated with PTSD or trauma by modulating fear memories and decreasing anxiety levels.
Cancer
Research has demonstrated the efficacy of CBD at suppressing cancer cell growth, shrinking tumour size and stopping their spread. Furthermore, CBD’s anti-inflammatory and chemotherapy toxicity-reducing properties make it ideal for use alongside chemotherapy to increase effectiveness while simultaneously decreasing side effects such as nausea, vomiting and weight loss.
CBD acts as an agonist for A2A receptors, stimulating their release to increase adenosine release and lower TNF-a levels which is involved in inflammation processes. Furthermore, studies have also indicated that CBD acts as an inhibitor for GPR55 – an increased receptor found in certain triple negative breast cancers that promote metastasis.
Studies suggest that CBD could alleviate neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy drug Paclitaxel (PAC). Furthermore, CBD could also treat symptoms related to cancer such as nausea, vomiting and decreased appetite. More research needs to be conducted on this matter to confirm these findings and understand exactly how CBD helps with cancer-related pain.
