More than 100 cannabinoids have been identified in the cannabis plant, i.e. chemical compounds that occur naturally in the aforementioned plant. One of the most notable is cannabidiol (CBD), which can represent up to 45% of the plant extract. Many of the Cannabis Sativa varieties contain CBD or cannabidiol, but they do so in small quantities. In fact, only some branches of the plant contain a sufficient concentration of CBD for it to be extracted in a useful form.
The first time CBD was isolated from the cannabis plant was between 1930 and 1940, by researchers at the University of Illinois (USA). However, its structure and chemical composition were not known until the 1960s, when they were identified by Professor Rafael Mechoulam. Since 2013, PubMed, a US medical research database, has cataloged more than 1,500 studies on cannabidiol. In this sense, many scientists say that CBD is one of the most important cannabinoids discovered today.
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF CANNABIDIOL
In comparison with other cannabinoids, cannabidiol has acquired much importance in the therapeutic field, as it lacks the psychoactive properties typical of THC (since it does not act through the CB1 receptors in the brain, responsible for psychoactivity), which can be reduced when CBD and THC are used together.
In this way, similar quantities of CBD and THC can be administered (ratio of 1:1 or even higher of THC), without the appearance of strong negative effects due to high quantities of THC (such as the psychoactive effect, tachycardia, anxiety attacks and others).
Although much remains to be investigated on the properties of cannabidiol, there are various studies that have demonstrated its benefits from a clinical point of view.
Its most important therapeutic effects derive from its properties:
- Fibromyalgia
- anxiolytic
- analgesic
- antiemetic
- antiepileptic
- anticancer
- antioxidant
- anti-inflammatory
- antipsychotic
- immunomodulator
- antibacterial and antifungal
- neuroprotector
- antirheumatic
- sleep inducer
Although all the benefits of cannabidiol are not fully known, there are investigations that have demonstrated its benefits from a clinical point of view. For example, experts have revealed its relationship with the immune system. Thus it has been proven that, in some cell lines of the immune system, CBD has the ability to inhibit the production of some cytokines (IL-8, IL-10, TNF-D, IFNJ). This evidence directly links that CBD has beneficial effects on inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. Therefore, CBD has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic and antipsychotic properties. Additionally, there are studies that have linked cannabidiol to the relief of chronic pain or for the treatment of epilepsy, among other diseases.
Other research has focused on the effects of cannabidiol on arthritis. Thus, a study on rats demonstrated that treatment with CBD (either orally or intraperitoneally) blocked the disease, paralyzing its growth. These effects are linked to the immunosuppressive activity and anti-inflammatory properties of this cannabinoid.
In a disease such as cancer, CBD produces a sedative effect in most cases and inhibits the transmission of nerve signals associated with pain. CBD has been noted to reduce the growth of human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo in rats, and reduces its invasiveness.
HOW TO USE CANNABIDIOL
There are different products on the market that contain CBD derived from certified hemp. CBD oil is one of the best-known products. To use it, you can ingest it or use it as a cream and ointment compound, spray, tea or hemp infusion. The effect of cannabidiol manifests itself within 15 or 30 minutes of intake.
In the case of the spray, its operation is very simple. It involves applying the dose prescribed by the specialist doctor under the tongue (sublingual). In the case of infusions, it involves preparing a conventional infusion, adding some type of milk or fat, such as butter, to ensure that this cannabinoid dissolves correctly.
Although CBD is still being studied in countries around the world, in Spain products composed of CBD and THC (the latter with an amount of less than 0.2%) can be consumed legally and do not require a medical prescription to purchase. It is a pharmacological solution developed by GW Pharma and composed of CBD and THC (1:1 ratio), recommended in the treatment of pain and spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis
