In most of our articles, we often use the WHO’s position to confirm that Cannabidiol (CBD) poses no risk to consumers. That being said, we felt it was important to offer you content on the subject, with an original and comprehensive document provided by this prestigious institution. This will allow you to better understand the WHO’s position on CBD. We have also included an external study that validates this assertion. Table of ContentsWhat the WHO Thinks About CBD
An External and Complementary Expertise
- What the WHO Thinks About CBD
- Indeed, the World Health Organization’s position on CBD is quite precise and clear. According to a report by the WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, the consumption of this cannabinoid poses no risk to public health. It is in this vein that the authors of the report maintain that Cannabidiol “has no potential for abuse.” Similarly, they further state that “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.” These statements could clear the molecule of any suspicion, particularly regarding its supposed psychotropic effects, which, in reality, would be those of THC, exceeding the legal limit.
Furthermore, the WHO experts do not simply acknowledge the safety and efficacy of this compound. They go much further. In fact, they emphasize that this active ingredient has therapeutic effects. From this perspective, they specify that CBD “has proven to be an effective treatment for epilepsy.” Continuing in the same vein, these WHO scientists add that there is “preliminary evidence that CBD may be a useful treatment for a number of other conditions.” Among the long list of conditions, they cite, for example, Parkinson’s disease, psychosis, and Alzheimer’s. To dispel any further doubt, they conclude that “there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or of any health problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” We therefore invite you to read their report below. You can also download it to read offline.
External and complementary expertise
Indeed, in the introduction to this content, we announced that we would focus on
an external study
. This study aligns with the WHO’s position on the safety and health of cannabidiol. It also maintains that CBD does not present any risk of toxicity.In fact, from August 2020 to February 2021, 839 consumers participated in a study conducted by 12 companies, commissioned and designed in response to requests from the FDA. The clinical investigations lasted seven (7) months. Co-investigator Jeff Lombardo, PharmD, BCOP, shares his thoughts on this.
“Our primary goal in this study is to observe the potential effects on the liver in adults ingesting oral forms of hemp-derived CBD for at least 60 days. What we have observed to date does not constitute clinical evidence of liver disease in any of the participants. We observed mild, clinically insignificant elevations in liver function tests in fewer than 10 percent of consumers, regardless of age, product composition and form, and amount consumed. Three of the 839 participants had normal levels of the liver enzyme ALT. These three consumers are taking prescription medications known to elevate liver enzymes, and we are investigating whether the prescribed medications or other factors are contributing to these aberrant values.”
At the end of the study, no signs of liver disease were found in the 839 participants, nor was there an increase in the prevalence of elevated liver function tests compared to a population with a similar incidence of medical conditions. Therefore, concerns about potential liver toxicity from CBD appear to be allayed.
However, this study should not encourage high daily doses of CBD. Why? Because another study, mentioned in an article published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, warns against it. In fact, results from a randomized controlled trial of CBD in healthy adults showed that administering 1500 mg of CBD daily for 3.5 weeks caused liver damage. Clearly, it is advisable for consumers to stick to normal and reasonable daily doses.
Despite this warning, it remains true that, when taken at recommended doses, CBD can help patients with chronic liver disorders, such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Indeed, a study on the impact of CBD consumption on 371 patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) shows that 25% of AIH patients used CBD for pain, sleeplessness, and fatigue.
- References
- https://www.newsweed.fr/cbd-oms-risque-sante-abus/
- https://www.who.int/features/qa/cannabidiol/fr/
