According to US law, these plants are considered “industrial hemp” rather than marijuana. Some CBD manufacturers have come under scrutiny by the government for wild and untenable claims, such as that CBD is a cure for cancer or COVID-19, which is not the case. We need more research, but CBD could prove to be a useful and relatively non-toxic option for treating anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain. Without sufficient high-quality evidence in human studies, we cannot determine effective dosages, and since CBD is currently available as an unregulated dietary supplement, it is difficult to know exactly what you are getting. Proponents of CBD oil and other CBD products claim that it can be used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, migraine, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, depression and anxiety. Other studies suggest that CBD may also be useful for treating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as it has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.
For example, the agency has tested the chemical content of cannabinoid compounds in some of the products and found that many do not contain the CBD levels they claim. We are also investigating reports of CBD containing potentially unsafe levels of contaminants (e.g. pesticides, heavy metals, THC). Taking CBD with alcohol or other drugs that slow down brain activity, such as those used to treat anxiety, panic, stress or sleep disorders, increases the risk of sedation and drowsiness, which can lead to injury.
CBD has the ability to act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior. You should be careful to use only CBD oil to treat anxiety, as any trace of THC can increase anxiety and have the reverse effect of the desired effect. Studies are still being conducted to determine whether CBD can benefit people with epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
Otherwise, the only condition for which there is “conclusive or substantial” that CBD is useful is multiple sclerosis, according to a report published in January 2017 by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The same report found “moderate” evidence that CBD improves sleep in people with chronic pain and certain other conditions, and only “weak” evidence that supports or refutes all other claims about the health effects of CBD. The CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a network in the body that helps regulate many functions such as digestion, metabolism, mood, memory, sleep, motor control, pain perception, immune function, fertility and pregnancy.
One study found that the use of CBD oil lowered systolic resting blood pressure and stroke volume in subjects exposed to stress. The researchers concluded that the anxiety-regulating properties of CBD are responsible for lowering blood pressure, which ultimately supports heart health. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil can also help prevent heart disease. A 2018 review analyzed 47 studies on cannabis or cannabinoids for various types of chronic pain other than cancer pain and found evidence of little benefit.
For this reason, third-party laboratory tests are essential for hemp products such as CBD oil, as hemp plants have a unique quality that allows them to absorb heavy metals and toxins from the soil in which they are grown. Reviewing these lab tests and ensuring that they include pesticide, heavy metal and chemical solvent analyses in addition to a cannabinoid profile will help ensure that the product is clean and comes from a trusted brand. This priority includes ensuring that consumers are informed about the products that pose the greatest threat to their health and safety, such as those that purport to prevent, diagnose, treat, mitigate or cure serious diseases. For example, the agency has warned companies to stop selling CBD products that they claim are designed to prevent, diagnose, treat, alleviate or cure serious diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, psychiatric disorders and diabetes. In addition, they have not been evaluated by the FDA to determine what dosage is appropriate, how they might interact with other medications or foods, or whether they have dangerous side effects or other safety concerns. New research published this year by the American Society for Clinical Research has shown that CBD can be an effective and natural treatment for lowering high blood pressure.
Other studies have examined the antidepressant-like effects that CBD can have on people, with studies showing an improvement in the symptoms of people with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). However, more people had side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness when taking the cannabinoid medication. In a review from 2018, 3 studies were analyzed in which smoked cannabis or cannabis oil was compared with placebos in people with active Crohn’s disease. There was no difference between the cannabis / cannabis oil and placebo groups in the clinical remission of the disease. Some people who used cannabis or cannabis oil improved symptoms, but others had unwanted side effects.
Twenty-nine percent of people taking cannabis/cannabinoids had a 30 percent reduction in their pain, while 26 percent of those taking a placebo did. Side effects were more common in people taking cannabis / cannabinoids than in people taking placebos. The Farm Bill removed all hemp-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, which criminalizes drug possession. In essence, this means that CBD is legal if it comes from hemp, but not if it comes from cannabis, although it is exactly the same molecule.
It was unclear whether the potential benefits of cannabis or cannabis oil outweighed the potential harms. Today, many of us may be looking for a miracle cure, especially those of us who are struggling with chronic pain, overwhelming anxiety, cancer-related symptoms, and/or neurological disorders that are difficult to treat. But can we really rely on CBD cbd brands oil to have as positive an effect on our symptoms as we hope it will? Internist Paul Terpeluk, DO, explains why CBD oil may not be as effective as we would like. It is clear that there are attractive potential benefits that make people attracted to CBD, but more clinical studies are needed to fully understand the long-term effects of cannabidiol.
Chemical structure of CBD and leaves of marihuana.La The FDA recognizes the significant public interest in cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds, especially CBD. However, there are many unanswered questions about the science, safety and quality of CBD-containing products. The agency is working to answer these questions through ongoing efforts, including comments from a recent FDA hearing and the collection of information and data through a public dossier. The FDA has not yet taken steps to regulate the production of CBD-based products, and there is still a lot of research on the safe interactions between CBD and other drugs.