Millions of people suffer from digestive issues, yet conventional therapies fail to offer much relief. CBD has shown great promise as an alternative treatment solution.
CBD has been proven to provide relief for anxiety, pain management, dystonia muscle disorders and Parkinson disease symptoms in animal studies. Furthermore, its antidepressant effects are also well established.
Anxiety
CBD has been shown to effectively alleviate anxiety in various ways. This includes decreasing symptoms associated with anxiety disorders, improving sleep, relieving nightmares for those living with PTSD and possibly even increasing effectiveness of other anti-anxiety medication; though this effect may not always work.
CBD may interact with CB1 receptors in the brain to modify serotonin signals that cause anxiety. Studies on animal models of PTSD and depression have also confirmed its efficacy.
An ongoing placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of CBD oil capsules as flexible dose treatments for anxiety disorders will provide results by 2022.
Depression
CBD exhibits both anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in animal models by binding to serotonin receptors 5HT1A. Furthermore, it affects glutamate and TRPV-a vanilloid receptors; causes vasodilation; acts on adenosine reuptake; prevents DNA methylation in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex and improves cognitive dysfunctions associated with depression.
One small study reported that CBD could effectively decrease anxiety and nightmare symptoms among PTSD patients, possibly due to its effect on anandamide by inhibiting its reuptake and degradation. A fear conditioning test demonstrated this by showing CBD reduced contextual fear responses by blocking activity of the periaqueductal gray and bed nucleus of stria terminalis while simultaneously increasing extinction learning.
Insomnia
CBD can help alleviate insomnia by decreasing anxiety and pain levels that interfere with restful slumber, while acting as an antidepressant and anxiolytic.
Researchers conducted a study, published in January’s issue of The Permanente Journal, of 72 patients treated with CBD for either anxiety or poor sleep issues. Anxiety levels decreased while sleep quality also improved significantly as a result.
Note, however, that CBD products are unregulated by the FDA and could contain THC or other potentially dangerous ingredients that could pose risks. Before trying CBD for sleep or any other condition it would be a good idea to consult a health care professional first.
Epilepsy
CBD has proven effective at treating seizures associated with Dravet syndrome type 2 and LGS. CBD reduces seizure frequency significantly even among patients resistant to multiple antiepileptic drugs.
CBD’s anticonvulsant effects are due to its inhibitory action on GPR55 and GPR18 receptors, which prevent mobilization of intracellular calcium mobilization and reduce neuronal excitability. Furthermore, CBD also has an anti-NMDA effect which blocks activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors – known as triggers of seizures and other neurological conditions – blocking activation via anti-NMDA mechanisms. Anyone already taking medications for other conditions should first consult their healthcare providers before adding CBD into their regimen.
Parkinson’s disease
CBD has been found to possess neuroprotective properties that may help delay or even prevent Parkinson’s symptoms. These effects are likely owing to CBD’s ability to reduce inflammation within the nervous system as well as prevent apoptosis (cell death).
Studies on CBD’s effect in treating Parkinson’s are scarce and inconclusive; patients should consult their physician before trying CBD for this condition.
CBD acts as both an allosteric modulator of CB1 receptors and weak inverse agonist of CB2 receptors (Elmes et al, 2015). Furthermore, CBD reduces endocannabinoid reuptake by decreasing fatty acid binding proteins’ activity; making more available to the endocannabinoid system.
Alzheimer’s disease
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to provide neuroprotective effects without psychoactive side-effects and help mitigate formation of amyloid beta plaques and reduce tau hyperphosphorylation, as well as promote autophagy activity – an antioxidative process which protects neurons against oxidative stress while stimulating neurogenesis.
CBD was shown to significantly improve cognitive deficits in an Alzheimer’s mouse model administered streptozotocin, as well as reduce insoluble Ab40 levels, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and improve glucose metabolism in the hippocampus, motor cortex and thalamus.
