Clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of therapeutic CBD for treating various health conditions. One such medication, Epidiolex, approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes.
In a randomized trial, oral CBD proved highly successful at significantly reducing both frequency and severity of seizures for those living with either epilepsy or other forms of neurological conditions.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to brief changes in movement, behavior, feelings and awareness that last from seconds to minutes. People suffering from Epilepsy are vulnerable to seizures which may result in injuries and accidents.
Orrin Devinsky and colleagues from various research centers published results this month in The Lancet Neurology showing CBD to be an effective treatment for epilepsy. Their researchers administered an extract containing 99 percent cannabidiol as an add-on medication. 162 patients were successfully treated.
They found that CBD significantly decreased seizures among patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, as well as side effects associated with other anti-seizure medications.
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, according to research conducted on rats by an international team of scientists. A new study suggests CBD may help treat anxiety by decreasing stress levels and improving sleep quality – although these findings remain preliminary and additional research studies should be performed soon.
Preclinical evidence demonstrates that CBD has antianxiolytic, panicolytic, anticompulsive and antidepressant actions and decreases autonomic arousal levels. Furthermore, CBD reduces fear expression while simultaneously increasing hippocampal neurogenesis through 5-HT1ARs and CB1Rs.
An SPST Phobia Test study demonstrated that orally administered CBD reduced self-reported anxiety in participants, suggesting it may be effective treatment for SAD. Randomized clinical trials are necessary to verify these results, while also exploring any gender specific effects from CBD use.
Parkinson’s disease
Recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of medical cannabis in alleviating symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease, such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. While medications used to treat this condition are limited in their effectiveness and can have serious side effects. As an alternative solution CBD treatment has seen renewed interest; unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD doesn’t possess psychotropic properties and therefore generally well-tolerated by patients.
Medical marijuana is now legal in some states for treating Parkinson’s Disease, though prior to using it it is wise to consult a doctor who will ensure you select an effective product and check with state regulations as it could interact with any existing medications you are already taking.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system. It occurs due to a breakdown of myelin sheath that protects nerve fibers, leading to communication issues between brain and rest of body. Multiple options exist for treating MS, such as disease-modifying medicines and symptomatic treatments.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of CBD in protecting neurons from damage in a MS model and alleviating symptoms including pain, spasticity and bladder dysfunction. A growing body of moderate-quality evidence supports using 1:1 THC/CBD cannabinoid oromucosal sprays which have proven successful within a narrow therapeutic window for improving subjective measures of spasticity and bladder dysfunction; though promising these results require further study in order to fully ascertain their efficacy.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a debilitating joint condition caused by overactive immune cells attacking healthy cells in the joints, most frequently seen with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis types of arthritis; symptoms typically include pain, swelling, tenderness and stiffness in joints accompanied by warm sensations, low-grade fevers and sweating.
CBD interacts with ECS receptors found throughout the brain and spinal cord to block pain signals, while increasing anandamide levels – a natural neurotransmitter which provides pain relief – increasing anandamide production for greater analgesia relief and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that CBD may help alleviate pain in those living with RA; however, more research needs to be conducted into how it may treat its underlying causes. Anyone living with RA should speak with their healthcare provider prior to using CBD products.
