Subscriptions - Maximum Yield Cannabis USA November/December 2020 | Page 88

CBD AND YOUR BRAIN
While THC interacts directly with
the endocannabinoid system in our
brains, CBD actually blocks THC from
activating the CB1 receptor. This is
why cannabis strains with high CBD
levels are not as intoxicating as their
low-CBD counterparts.
CBD has been shown to activate
opioid, serotonin, and dopamine
receptors in the brain. CBD’s
relationship with these receptors could
be the reason studies have shown CBD
to be useful in treating drug addiction.
Opioid receptors are known for
their role in pain regulation and are
targeted by prescription painkillers
such as morphine, heroin, and
fentanyl. Dopamine receptors play an
important role in regulating behavior
and cognition, such as motivation
and reward-seeking behavior. CBD’s
ability to activate the serotonin 1A
receptors can prove to be therapeutic
for a wide range of disorders,
including anxiety, depression,
neuropathic pain, opioid dependence,
nausea, vomiting, and schizophrenia.
Much of the current CBD research
has been tested in animal studies and
is prompting scientists to do further
research in human trials. The following
studies have shown a lot of promise for
many debilitating conditions.
EPILEPSY
Charlotte Figi’s success in using CBD
to treat her epilepsy is backed up by
science. Studies have repeatedly shown
that CBD successfully reduces the
frequency of seizures in medicationresistant
populations.
A 2016 study gave 214 epilepsy
patients a 2-5mg dose of CBD in
addition to their current medication and
monitored them for 12 weeks. The doses
were increased over the course of the
study until the patients reached their
own tolerance level, or a maximum
dose of 25mg/day. The results showed
patients had 36.5 percent fewer seizures
per month. Overall, the study found
CBD to be safe and effective for treating
epilepsy, even for minors. This study
was funded by GW Pharmaceuticals,
who developed the drug Epidiolex, a
prescription-grade CBD medication that
was approved by the FDA in 2018.
PAIN
Animal studies have provided evidence
that CBD is helpful in treating multiple
types of chronic pain. A 2018 study
gave oral doses of CBD oil to dogs with
osteoarthritis and found there was a
significant decrease in their pain levels
without any noticeable side effects.
Another study from the European Journal
of Pain showed a substantial benefit to
applying CBD topically in animals with
arthritis, without any side effects.
Sativex, another cannabis-based
drug from GW Pharmaceuticals,
was approved for use in the United
Kingdom in 2010 to treat neuropathic
pain, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, and
overactive bladder. Sativex is a nasal
spray that delivers a dose of 2.7mg THC
and 2.5mg CBD in each spray.
ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Some people may be able to manage
their anxiety and depression with
CBD instead of medication. Low
serotonin levels are common in those
suffering from anxiety and depression.
CBD interacts with serotonin receptors
and induces antidepressant effects
similar to the drug imipramine, a
tricyclic antidepressant.
A 2011 study examined the effects
of CBD in people who suffer from
social anxiety disorder. They gave
participants a 400mg oral dose of CBD
or a placebo. Researchers found that
participants who received the CBD had
an overall reduction in anxiety levels.
A 2018 study gave 57 male participants
a dose of CBD before undergoing a
simulated public speaking test. They
found that those that received a 300mg
dose had significantly reduced anxiety
levels. The dose seemed to be important.
Participants who received 150mg and
600mg did not see such dramatic results.
A 2019 study investigated whether
CBD could induce rapid and sustained
antidepressant-like effects in rodent
populations after just one dose. They
found that it did, in fact, have dramatic
results, which may be related to rapid
changes in synaptic plasticity. Their
findings supported using CBD as a
fast-acting antidepressant drug.
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
In a 2018 review of the neurological
benefits of phytocannabinoids,
researchers highlighted their
therapeutic value in treating malignant
brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis,
and strokes. Research in animal and
human models show many therapeutic
properties in brain function and
protection through its effect on the
endocannabinoid system and by
influencing endogenous cannabinoids.
If you have consulted
your doctor and think that
CBD would be a good fit
for your situation, there
are a few different ways
to use CBD oil.”
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