What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike its more famous cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not produce the “high” associated with cannabis use. Over recent years, CBD has garnered significant attention for its potential therapeutic benefits across a range of medical conditions. Other names included: 2-[(1R,6R)-3-Methyl-6-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-5-pentylbenzene-1,3-diol, CBD, Nano-cannabidiol.
Therapeutic Uses of CBD
Schizophrenia
Research indicates that CBD has antipsychotic properties, making it a potential adjunctive therapy for schizophrenia. A multicenter randomized controlled trial demonstrated that patients with schizophrenia who received CBD showed a reduction in positive psychotic symptoms and were more likely to be rated as improved by clinicians compared to those who received a placebo. The study also noted that CBD was well tolerated with similar rates of adverse events between the CBD and placebo groups1.
Opioid Use Disorder
CBD has shown promise in reducing cue-induced craving and anxiety in individuals with heroin use disorder. A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial found that CBD administration significantly reduced both craving and anxiety induced by drug cues, with effects lasting up to seven days after the final dose. This suggests that CBD could be a valuable treatment option for opioid use disorder2.
Cardiovascular Health
CBD may also have cardiovascular benefits. A randomized crossover study involving healthy volunteers found that a single dose of CBD reduced resting systolic blood pressure and the blood pressure response to stress. These findings suggest that CBD could potentially be used to manage cardiovascular conditions, although further research is needed3.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The endocannabinoid system is a logical target for treating PTSD, and CBD has been investigated for this purpose. An ongoing placebo-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of CBD in reducing PTSD symptoms. Preliminary findings suggest that CBD could be beneficial in managing PTSD, although more data is needed to confirm these results4.
Abuse Liability
Despite its therapeutic potential, concerns about the abuse liability of CBD have been addressed in research. A study involving frequent marijuana smokers found that oral CBD did not produce abuse-related subjective effects, indicating that CBD has a low potential for abuse5.
Bioavailability
One of the challenges with CBD is its limited oral bioavailability due to its lipophilicity and extensive first-pass metabolism. A novel self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) has been developed to improve the bioavailability of CBD. This system significantly increased the plasma concentration and absorption rate of CBD compared to traditional formulations6.
Sleep-Wake Cycle
CBD does not appear to interfere with the sleep-wake cycle. A study involving healthy volunteers found that an anxiolytic dose of CBD did not significantly affect sleep architecture, suggesting that CBD can be used without disrupting normal sleep patterns7.
Anxiety Disorders
CBD has demonstrated anxiolytic effects in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Functional neuroimaging studies have shown that CBD reduces anxiety and alters brain activity in regions associated with anxiety regulation. These findings support the use of CBD as a treatment for anxiety disorders8 10.
Palliative Care in Cancer
CBD is also being explored for its potential to relieve symptom burden in patients with advanced cancer. A randomized clinical trial is investigating the efficacy and safety of CBD in managing symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and overall discomfort in cancer patients receiving palliative care. This study aims to provide high-quality evidence to guide clinical use of CBD in this context9.
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Adverse Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD)
Common Adverse Effects
CBD is generally well tolerated, but common adverse effects include diarrhea, nausea, headache, and somnolence. These effects are usually mild to moderate in severity1 3.
Gastrointestinal and Nervous System Disorders
Increased incidence of gastrointestinal issues (e.g., diarrhea) and nervous system disorders (e.g., headache) has been observed in subjects taking CBD compared to placebo1.
Intoxicating Properties
CBD alone can have some intoxicating properties, particularly at low doses when combined with THC, enhancing the intoxicating effects of THC. High doses of CBD may reduce THC’s intoxicating effects2 4.
Cognitive and Psychomotor Effects
CBD does not significantly impair cognitive or psychomotor functions, unlike other substances such as alprazolam and dronabinol3.
No Severe or Serious Adverse Events
Across multiple studies, no severe or serious adverse events were reported, and there were no deaths or discontinuations due to adverse effects1 3 9.
Specific Populations
In patients with conditions like epilepsy, schizophrenia, and heroin use disorder, CBD was well tolerated with similar rates of adverse events as placebo5 6 7 8.
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Symptom Relief in Advanced Cancer
CBD did not significantly improve symptom distress or quality of life in patients with advanced cancer compared to placebo1 6 9.
Antipsychotic Effects in Schizophrenia
CBD showed beneficial effects in reducing positive psychotic symptoms and improving overall functioning in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting it may be a viable adjunctive therapy2.
Pain Management Post-Surgery
CBD demonstrated significant pain reduction and higher patient satisfaction immediately after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, although these benefits were not sustained long-term3 5.
Cardiovascular Health
Chronic administration of CBD reduced 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in patients with hypertension, indicating potential cardiovascular benefits4 8.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
CBD-rich botanical extract showed some promise in improving subjective measures of disease activity and quality of life in ulcerative colitis, despite not achieving primary endpoints7.
Arthritis Pain Management
CBD did not significantly reduce pain intensity or improve sleep quality, depression, or anxiety in patients with hand osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis compared to placebo10.
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Cannabidiol (CBD) Mechanisms of Action
TRPV1 Receptor Activation and Desensitization
CBD activates and then desensitizes the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor, which is implicated in modulating neuronal excitability and is overexpressed in epilepsy models1.
Reduction of Leukocyte Recruitment
CBD reduces leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the spinal cord microvasculature by decreasing the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)2.
Modulation of Striato-Cortical Connectivity
CBD increases connectivity in the associative network of the brain and has complex effects on the limbic and sensorimotor networks, potentially mitigating the disruptive effects of THC on these networks3.
Serotonergic Receptor Interaction
CBD’s anticonvulsant effects do not appear to be mediated through the serotonergic 5HT1A or 5HT2A receptors, although it does confirm CBD’s efficacy in reducing seizure activity4.
Anxiolytic Effects via Limbic and Paralimbic Brain Areas
CBD decreases anxiety by acting on the limbic and paralimbic brain areas, including the amygdala-hippocampal complex and the posterior cingulate gyrus5 7.
Reduction of Blood Pressure
CBD reduces resting systolic blood pressure and the blood pressure response to stress, associated with increased heart rate and decreased stroke volume6.
Increased Cerebral Blood Flow in Memory-Related Regions
CBD increases cerebral blood flow in the hippocampus and other regions involved in memory processing, which may be relevant for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and PTSD8.
Normalization of Brain Function in Psychosis
CBD may normalize alterations in the parahippocampal, striatal, and midbrain regions, which are critical to the pathophysiology of psychosis, thereby exerting antipsychotic effects9.
Antagonism of THC Effects
CBD can block the anxiety and other subjective effects induced by THC, suggesting a specific anxiolytic effect rather than a general blockade of THC’s actions10.
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Common Complaints Associated with Cannabidiol (CBD) Use
General Tolerability and Adverse Events
CBD was well tolerated with similar rates of adverse events compared to placebo in patients with schizophrenia1.
No serious adverse effects were reported in individuals with heroin use disorder, indicating good tolerability2.
Specific Adverse Effects
No significant adverse effects on cognition were observed in both studies, suggesting that CBD does not impair cognitive function1 2.
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Disclaimer
The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.
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