CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940. It is one of 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract. As of 2023, clinical research on CBD included studies related to anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain, but there is insufficient high-quality evidence that it is effective for these conditions.

CBD can be taken into the body in multiple ways, including by inhalation of cannabis smoke or vapor, as an aerosol spray into the cheek, and by mouth. It may be supplied as CBD oil containing only CBD as the active ingredient (excluding tetrahydrocannabinol THC or terpenes), a full-plant CBD-dominant hemp extract oil, capsules, dried cannabis, or as a prescription liquid solution. CBD does not have the same psychoactivity as THC, and may change the effects of THC on the body if both are present. As of 2018, the mechanism of action for its biological effects has not been determined.

Medical Uses[edit | edit source]

CBD is used for various health-related purposes, but there isn't a great deal of research on the oil's potential health benefits. However, there's significant support for its effectiveness in treating some forms of epilepsy. In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Epidiolex, a purified form of CBD oil, for treating two types of epilepsy: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Side Effects[edit | edit source]

CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile. Reported adverse effects may be as a result of drug-drug interactions between CBD and patients' existing medications. Side effects of CBD may include nausea, fatigue, and irritability.

Legal Status[edit | edit source]

The legal status of CBD varies around the world, and is changing rapidly. In the United States, CBD derived from hemp with less than 0.3% THC is legal federally but still illegal under some state laws. Cannabis-derived CBD products are illegal federally but legal under some state laws. Nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled.

Pharmacology[edit | edit source]

Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]

The exact mechanism of action of CBD is unclear. Unlike THC, CBD has a relatively low affinity for cannabinoid receptors in the brain. These are the molecules to which THC binds to elicit its psychoactive effects. Instead, CBD is thought to influence other receptors, including opioid receptors that regulate pain and glycine receptors involved in the regulation of the "feel-good" hormone serotonin.

Research[edit | edit source]

Research on CBD is ongoing, but its proven efficacy for any condition other than certain seizure disorders is still in its infancy. There's a lot of discussion about the potential health benefits of CBD, but it's important to note that more research is needed to fully understand its effects.