Although it is legal, alcohol is a very lethal substance: 114 times more than cannabis, which causes an average of 3 million deaths every year.
However, new hope comes precisely from cannabis. In fact, as demonstrated by a recent scientific study, this plant can relieve some liver damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Cannabis to reduce alcohol damage to the liver: scientific confirmation
“Our findings suggest that cannabinoids are a potential candidate for the treatment of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity,” the researchers concluded.
To demonstrate this, they examined the protective effects of cannabinoids against induced liver toxicity from ethanol, the chemical compound of alcohol, in rats.
After dividing the animals into seven groups, which were administered different combinations of ethanol and cannabinoids, the analysis revealed that the groups treated with higher doses of cannabinoids showed reduced inflammation compared to those treated with ethanol alone.
The authors finally noted that the levels of the inflammation markers COX-2, CD-14 and MIP-2 showed a "notable decrease" in the cannabinoid-treated groups, compared to the control groups.
Alcohol and liver disease: how cannabis reduces the likelihood
Conducted in 2018 by several US research institutions, a study analyzed data from over 319 thousand adults who had consumed alcohol excessively in their life. Highlighting that cannabis can protect from pathologies caused by alcohol abuse such as fatty liver, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
After dividing people into three groups, those who did not use cannabis, those who used it sporadically and those who took it regularly, the researchers noted that: "The risk of developing all alcoholic liver disease in patients who also used cannabis was significantly lower compared to non-cannabis users".
The risk of developing fatty liver was reduced by 45% and the risk of developing alcoholic liver cirrhosis was reduced by 55%.
"The findings suggest that cannabis use is associated with a reduced incidence of liver disease in alcoholics," the researchers concluded after noting that liver health was better for those who used cannabis regularly than those who used it occasionally.
CBD: neuroprotectant for alcohol-induced brain damage
Published in 2013 in the magazine Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, one study carried out on mice by scientists from the University of Kentucky and the University of Maryland concluded that the CBD can limit i brain damage induced by alcohol.
The authors also noted that CBD is an antioxidant more powerful of many other antioxidants well known in the medical field, including vitamin E.
"High antioxidant capacity" to which the effects are due neuroprotective of CBD observed during alcohol-induced neurodegeneration".
The results were so satisfactory that in their conclusions the researchers went so far as to hypothesize the development of a preventive treatment for patients suffering from alcoholism.
CBD: How it can reduce alcohol dependence
There are 8.6 million consumers at risk of alcohol addiction in Italy. Over 60 thousand alcohol dependents and 17 thousand the people who they die every year due to alcohol.
Stopping taking a certain substance, especially if you are addicted to it, is not at all easy. At the risk of fall back always around the corner.
But CBD, a non-psychoactive and side-effect-free cannabis cannabinoid, has proven effective in treat alcohol addiction. As?
By interacting with our endocannabinoid system, CBD can reduce desire irrepressible to take alcohol. As well as protecting the liver and brain from damage resulting from excessive consumption.
| For further information: "CBD and alcohol: how cannabidiol can fight addiction"
