CBD comes in various forms – tinctures, capsules, vape pens and creams are available – for topical application. People living with chronic pain may take CBD oil or gummies to help ease symptoms.
Before beginning CBD use, consult your physician. It may interact with certain over-the-counter supplements and medications; for example, CBD could reduce the effectiveness of sedatives like Klonopin while increasing their side effects such as drowsiness.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD), is an all-natural compound found in cannabis (hemp) plants. It has long been touted as a treatment for anxiety, pain, sleep disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other health conditions. CBD products include oils, gummies, vape juice and lotions available across 50 states that do not constitute controlled substances and remain legal to purchase or use; it’s best to check state laws before purchasing CBD; also, avoid synthetic versions sold as “spice” and bath salts which have been associated with psychotic reactions.
Studies suggest that CBD may assist with alleviating anxiety, depression and schizophrenia symptoms. Furthermore, CBD could potentially relieve pain from rheumatic diseases like fibromyalgia as well as alleviate nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatments. Furthermore, evidence exists for its use reducing opioid use disorder drug cravings; there have also been reports of decreased withdrawal symptoms when prescribed in correct doses of CBD vs placebo or with other antidepressant or sedative medications (sedatives/antidepressants). When taken at recommended dosage amounts it generally has few side effects; however interactions could occur with certain antidepressant/sedatives/antidepressants/medications which interact negatively with each other (and vice versa).
How does CBD work?
CBD interacts with serotonin, opioid and pro-inflammatory receptors to induce relaxation and alleviate pain. Furthermore, CBD inhibits peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activity which has an impact on cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Though CBD is nonaddictive, it may still cause side effects including changes to alertness that lead to drowsiness; stomach upset and diarrhea; decreased or increased appetite; changes in mood that include irritability/agitation and mood shifts; these symptoms typically go away when dosage decreases or stops altogether.
CBD may interfere with certain medicines, including benzodiazepine sedatives like Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam) and Valium (diazepam); antidepressants like Amitriptyline (Elavil), Citalopram (Celexa), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft) and Mirtazapine (Remeron); immunosuppressants like Sandimmune; immunosuppressants like Cyclosporine (Sandimmune). Consultation with cyclosporine prior to adding CBD into supplement regimen; they will advise on safe methods of taking CBD supplementation.
What are the benefits of CBD?
CBD has long been touted as an effective treatment for various conditions, from anxiety to pain. It has been used as an anti-inflammatory in rheumatoid arthritis and topically applied for chemotherapy pain management, while studies on its impact in managing PTSD or depression remain limited.
Studies are necessary to verify these results, ideally comparing placebo and high-quality CBD products. CBD appears to be what pharmacologists refer to as a promiscuous drug, meaning that its effects may affect multiple processes in the body simultaneously and thus potentially treat multiple medical conditions; however, more research needs to be completed in this area before conclusive findings can be drawn.
Although CBD generally produces few side effects, some users have reported changes to alertness (usually somnolence or sleepiness), gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea or reduced appetite), and mood changes such as irritability or agitation. When adding any new supplement to your regimen, always consult your healthcare provider first.
What are the risks of CBD?
CBD is well tolerated and has minimal abuse potential. It doesn’t alter respiration or vital signs, nor sedate or highten people. Furthermore, research suggests it helps decrease cravings in individuals struggling with addiction – one study conducted with heroin users found CBD reduced their cravings two- to threefold!
CBD may pose some risks, most notably when used in combination with other medications. It may interact with blood thinners, antiepileptics and immunosuppressants as well as increase levels of certain medicines by competing for liver enzymes that break them down – this could increase their side effects while diminishing effectiveness.
CBD may interact with sedative medications like Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam) and Valium (diazepam), to reduce their effectiveness. Furthermore, CBD could lessen antidepressant effectiveness while increasing side effects; furthermore it may decrease effectiveness of tuberculosis treatment with rifamin-based drugs and increase infection risks.
