Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in cannabis that has garnered significant interest from the scientific and medical communities in recent years. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce psychoactive effects and possesses numerous potential therapeutic properties. In this article, we will review the ten most recent scientific studies on CBD. 1. CBD and Epilepsy
Several studies have shown that CBD may help reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures in patients with certain treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy. One study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2017, evaluated the effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating drug-resistant seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of childhood epilepsy. Researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial and concluded that CBD significantly reduced the frequency of attacks in patients with Dravet syndrome.
Source: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1611618 2. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of CBD Researchers are also interested in the anti-inflammatory properties of the cannabinoid. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that CBD
can reduce inflammation and thus be an effective tool for treating various chronic inflammatory diseases such as
arthritis or Crohn’s disease. A study published in the journal PAIN in 2012 examined the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and its potential mechanism of action. Researchers conducted experiments on mice and concluded that CBD reduced inflammation and pain-related behaviors via a TRPV1 receptor-dependent pathway. Source: https://journals.lww.com/pain/Fulltext/2012/06000/Cannabidiol_reduces_inflammation_and_pain_related.5.aspx3. CBD and AnxietySeveral clinical studies have shown that CBD may have anxiolytic effects, meaning it can help reduce anxiety symptoms in people with anxiety disorders. One study, published in The Permanente Journal in 2019, conducted a case series on a large number of patients to evaluate the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on anxiety and sleep. The researchers concluded that CBD could be beneficial in reducing anxiety in some patients, with symptom improvement observed in 79.2% of the cases studied. Furthermore, CBD was also associated with improved sleep in 66.7% of patients. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553 https://youtu.be/f2N0Bdm8TcA
4. Anticancer Potential of CBD
Although research is still in its early stages, some studies suggest that CBD may possess anticancer properties. A study published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics in 2019 investigated the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on breast cancer cells. Researchers found that CBD induced programmed cell death by coordinating communication between apoptosis (programmed cell death) and autophagy (the process of cell component degradation). The results suggest that CBD may play a role in cancer treatment by directly targeting cancer cells.Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30709904 5. CBD and Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive impairment. A study published in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology in 2018 evaluated the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential treatment for psychosis, including schizophrenia. Researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial and concluded that CBD had an antipsychotic effect and could be considered a promising treatment for psychosis, offering a potential alternative to traditional antipsychotics. They noted that CBD was generally well-tolerated with few side effects. 6. Effects of CBD on Sleep
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553 7. CBD and Opioid AddictionRecent research suggests that CBD may help combat opioid addiction by reducing withdrawal symptoms and decreasing the need for these medications. A 2019 study showed that CBD could alleviate withdrawal symptoms in laboratory animals, paving the way for human clinical trials. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30661270 8. Neuroprotective Properties of CBD CBD is also being studied for its potential neuroprotective effects. Preclinical research has shown that it can protect neurons from cell death caused by various factors, such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Indeed, a study published in the journal Addiction Biology in 2019 conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on opioid addiction.
The researchers found that CBD reduced the reward effects associated with opioids and increased cyclic AMP levels in individuals with opioid addiction. They suggested that CBD could have potential in the treatment of opioid addiction. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30661270
9. Effects of CBD on Acne
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD could also play a role in the treatment of acne. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation in 2014 investigated the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on human sebocytes, the cells responsible for sebum production in the skin. Researchers found that CBD reduced sebum production by sebocytes and had anti-inflammatory effects on these cells. They concluded that CBD could be a promising therapeutic option for treating acne. Source: https://www.jci.org/articles/view/64628 10. CBD and Type 1 DiabetesFinally, preliminary research suggests that CBD may help prevent or slow the development of type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that causes the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. A study published in the American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology in 2007 evaluated the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on the inflammatory response and cell permeability exposed to high glucose levels. The researchers discovered that CBD
reduced the inflammatory response of cells
and protected the integrity of the endothelial barrier. These results suggest that CBD may have therapeutic potential to mitigate vascular complications associated with
type 1 diabetes Source: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpheart.00098.2007
