according to anecdotal reports by parents.
CBD is associated with the same neuroprotective benefits as THC (Hampson et al. 1998). According to Lee (2017), CBDs therapeutic effects are the result of its interaction with 65 known targets in the body. Although CBD interacts minimally with CB1/ CB2 receptors, pre-clinical studies show CBD to interact with other receptors that include, but are not limited to, Serotonin 5-HT1A (depression, sleep, appetite, nausea), Endovanilloid TRPV1 (neuropathic pain/inflammation, temperature), Adenosine A2A (anti-inflammatory/wound healing), GABA-A (anxiolytic), Mu and Delta Opioid (increasing receptor efficiency resulting in less opioid required for same effect), Glycine A3 (neuropathic pain/inflammation), and GPR55 (blocks receptor to promote bone density, blood pressure, and impacts cancer proliferation) (Lee 2011).
CBD’s minimal interaction with CB1/ CB2 receptors does not conflict with its ability to indirectly increase eCB activity and promote ECS effects (Bisogno et al 2001; Fernandez-Ruiz et al. 2013). A disadvantage of CBD for EOL populations are the large doses sometimes required to achieve a therapeutic effect.
Current knowledge regarding CBD’s safety and side-effects was reviewed by Bergamaschi et al. in 2011, and an update to this review was published by Iffland & Grotenhermen in 2017. Iffland & Grotenhermen renewed an excellent safety profile for CBD but identified several areas of investigation that are needed. These recommendations include larger studies of longer duration in order to gain more information regarding the long-term use of CBD, CBD’s many potential drug-drug interactions, and CBD’s effect on the endocrine system. Iffland & Grotenhermen identified one study, published by Devinsky, Marsh & Friedman (2016), reporting side effects associated with CBD consisting of somnolence, decreased appetite, and diarrhea.
SAFETY AND CAUTIONARY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICAL CANNABIS USE IN END-OF-LIFE POPULATIONS
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