What is CBD?

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CBD or cannabidiol is one of the most promising therapeutic substances discovered in nature and one of the 100 known active ingredients recognized in cannabis plant. CBD has so far been considered the most effective of the cannabinoids tested in the treatment of serious civilization, chronic and even fatal diseases. It is not surprising that in recent years, it has been triggering an increasing interest of scientists and physicians, as well as patients who use it with a therapeutic effect – difficult to compare with chemical agents.

CBD and THC are compounds occuring in cannabis in the greatest concentrations, which is why the results of their operation have been studied the best so far. As CBD does not cause any psychotic reactions – it can be safely used even by small children. As a substance, it is legal and authorized. THC is illegal (due to intoxicating and addictive properties). CBD, however, is not addictive and what is very important – studies carried out so far have proven no side effects of preparations containing cannabidiol, on the human body. CBD works extremely strong on the cannabinoid system – a system similar in terms of action and aim to the immune system, and responsible for maintaining homeostasis within the body.

How does the CBD affect the body?

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

Cannabidiol causes endocannabinoid receptors system reactions.
The endocannabinoid system receptors are scattered throughout all human body and their highest concentration occurs in the brain and intestines.
Endocannabinoids are produced by our body – they are natural substances and primarily needed for many life processes, such as:

• nervous system protection,
• reducing the effects of stress,
• regulating immunity, appetite, sleep and wakefulness periods, pain levels and mood.

In contrast to THC, CBD does not directly affect the CB1 and CB2 receptors, therefore it does not cause a psychotic effect, while it inhibits the enzymes that cause endocannabinoid breakdown, thus leading to the growth of naturally occurring endocannabinoids in the human body.

What does the CBD help for?

The use of CBD oil and other preparations containing cannabidiol is very broad, but, as reported by patients, it brings particularly good results in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as:

• multiple sclerosis,
• Alzheimer’s disease,
• or Parkinson’s disease.

As CBD has strong anti-inflammatory properties, its action brings relief to all types of chronic and recurrent inflammatory diseases, e.g. in:

• Crohn’s disease,
• or chronic polyarthritis.

This substance has also indicated effectiveness in psychogenic-induced disorders such as psychosis, anxiety, addictions, and depressive states of varied course. Particularly good results have been demonstrated by the use of CBD in the treatment of epilepsy (epilepsy). There are documented cases of reduction in the number of seizure attacks following the use of cannabidiol oil. Preparations containing CBD have also been found to be helpful for patients suffering from cancer. Cannabidiol alleviates, inter alia, the effects of chemotherapy, therefore it can be used in combination therapies, and furthermore it inhibits the growth of cancerogenic cells, and due to the strong immunostimulatory properties it may also lead to the regression of existing tumors.

What are the healing properties of cannabidiol?

As indicated by the research and the case studies on patiens, the entire spectrum of therapeutic activities are attrubuted to cannabidiol, among them:

• anti-inflammatory,
• analgesic,
• anticonvulsants,
• immunostimulatory,
• anti-cancer,
• against anxiety,
• antipsychotic,
• antioxidant,
• protective for the nervous system,
• mitigating the effects of stress and fatigue,
• antiemetic.

How to use CBD?

The dosage of cannabidiol depends on several factors and should always be considered individually, depending on the specific needs of the patient, the severity of the disease, general health state, as well as the reaction of the cannabinoid system.

Preparations with CBD

The most popular form of cannabidiol in the preparations is oil, as well as vaporizers, aromatic oils, capsules, and ointments.

References & External links

1. Cary Leizer BA, David Ribnicky PhD, Alexander Poulev PhD, Slavik Dushenkov PhD & Ilya Raskin PhD (2015) The Composition of Hemp Seed Oil and Its Potential as an Important Source of Nutrition, Journal of Nutraceuticals, Functional & Medical Foods, 2:4, 35-53
2. Montserrat-De La Paz, S., et al. “Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil: analytical and phytochemical characterization of the unsaponifiable fraction.” Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 62.5 (2014): 1105-1110.
3. Shannon, Scott, and Janet Opila-Lehman. “Effectiveness of cannabidiol oil for pediatric anxiety and insomnia as part of posttraumatic stress disorder: a case report.” The Permanente Journal 20.4 (2016): 108.
4. Karler, Ralph, William Cely, and Stuart A. Turkanis. “The anticonvulsant activity of cannabidiol and cannabinol.” Life Sciences 13.11 (1973): 1527-1531.
5. Cannabidiol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol.
6. Klein, Thomas W., et al. “The cannabinoid system and immune modulation.” Journal of leukocyte biology 74.4 (2003): 486-496.
7. Shrivastava, Ashutosh, et al. “Cannabidiol induces programmed cell death in breast cancer cells by coordinating the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagy.” Molecular cancer therapeutics 10.7 (2011): 1161-1172.
8. Ramer, Robert, et al. “Cannabidiol inhibits cancer cell invasion via upregulation of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1.” Biochemical pharmacology 79.7 (2010): 955-966.
9. Wade, Derick T., et al. “Do cannabis-based medicinal extracts have general or specific effects on symptoms in multiple sclerosis? A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 160 patients.” Multiple Sclerosis Journal 10.4 (2004): 434-441.
10. Wade, Derick T., et al. “Do cannabis-based medicinal extracts have general or specific effects on symptoms in multiple sclerosis? A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 160 patients.” Multiple Sclerosis Journal 10.4 (2004): 434-441.
11. Martín-Moreno, Ana María, et al. “Cannabidiol and other cannabinoids reduce microglial activation in vitro and in vivo: relevance to Alzheimer’s disease.” Molecular pharmacology 79.6 (2011): 964-973.
12. Iuvone, Teresa, et al. “Neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol, a non‐psychoactive component from Cannabis sativa, on β‐amyloid‐induced toxicity in PC12 cells.” Journal of neurochemistry 89.1 (2004): 134-141.
13. Zuardi, Antonio Waldo, et al. “Cannabidiol for the treatment of psychosis in Parkinson’s disease.” Journal of Psychopharmacology 23.8 (2009): 979-983.
14. Chagas, Marcos Hortes N., et al. “Effects of cannabidiol in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease: an exploratory double-blind trial.” Journal of Psychopharmacology 28.11 (2014): 1088-1098.
15. Chagas, M. H. N., et al. “Cannabidiol can improve complex sleep‐related behaviours associated with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in Parkinson’s disease patients: a case series.” Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics 39.5 (2014): 564-566.
16. Naftali, Timna, et al. “Cannabis induces a clinical response in patients with Crohn’s disease: a prospective placebo-controlled study.” Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 11.10 (2013): 1276-1280.
17. Naftali, Timna, et al. “Low-dose cannabidiol is safe but not effective in the treatment for Crohn’s disease, a randomized controlled trial.” Digestive diseases and sciences 62.6 (2017): 1615-1620.
18. R de Mello Schier, Alexandre, et al. “Antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of cannabidiol: a chemical compound of Cannabis sativa.” CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets-CNS & Neurological Disorders) 13.6 (2014): 953-960.
19. Devinsky, Orrin, et al. “Cannabidiol: pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders.” Epilepsia 55.6 (2014): 791-802.
20. Porter, Brenda E., and Catherine Jacobson. “Report of a parent survey of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis use in pediatric treatment-resistant epilepsy.” Epilepsy & Behavior 29.3 (2013): 574-577.
21. Devinsky, Orrin, et al. “Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial.” The Lancet Neurology 15.3 (2016): 270-278.
22. Siudem, Paweł, Iwona Wawer, and Katarzyna Paradowska. “Konopie i kannabinoidy Cannabis and cannabinoids.“
23. Dąbrowski, Grzegorz, and Marta Skrajda. “Cannabinoids from Cannabis sp.: mechanism of their activity and potential health benefits in human body.” Journal of Education, Health and Sport 7.8 (2017): 936-945.
24. Zuardi, Antonio Waldo, et al. “Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug.” Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 39.4 (2006): 421-429.
25. LAFAYE, Genevieve, et al. Cannabis, cannabinoids, and health. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 2017, 19.3: 309. [PubMed][DOI]

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The article "What is CBD?" in other languages
Czym jest CBD? po Polsku: Czym jest CBD?
Was ist CBD? Deutsch: Was ist CBD?