Medicinal Use of CBD: Does it Cure Everything?
By Renee Lang, ND, FABNO, MPH
he CBD market has exploded in re- cent years. CBD is being marketed as a cure for everything under the sun. Local gas stations, salons, veteri- nary offi ces, and natural food markets now carry CBD products. What are the true benefi ts of CBD? Cannabis sativa is the botanical classifi cation of all plants commonly known as hemp or marijuana. Although the same species legally, hemp and marijuana fall into separate catego- ries based on their cannabinoid content. The two main cannabinoids found in C. sativa are THC (∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Any cannabis plant containing 0.3% or less of THC (dry weight) falls in the hemp category, and plants with greater than 0.3% of THC are classifi ed as marijuana.
T History and Legality U.S. production of hemp began in
the 1600’s and continued through the 1900’s in various degrees until the 1970 Controlled Substances Act made it illegal. Between 1970 and 2018 hemp imports and then domestic production of agricul- tural hemp slowly evolved. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, making the production and sale of hemp federally legal. The bill did not impact marijuana, which remains a sched- ule I drug and federally illegal. However, currently 22 states legalize medicinal uses of marijuana and another 11 states + DC have legalized both medical and recre- ational marijuana use.
The legalization of hemp in 2018 fueled the explosion of CBD products we see today, as CBD is the main cannabinoid found in hemp. Hemp-derived CBD prod-
28 ELM® Maine - March/April 2020 Neuroprotective Anti-epileptic Anti-asthmatic Anti-psychotic Anti-anxiety Anti-tumor TABLE 1. BIOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF CBD
ucts are federally legal and therefore legal in all states. However, marijuana-derived CBD products remain federally illegal with varied legality at the state level.
Maine legalized all marijuana use in 2016, so all CBD products, whether they are hemp- or marijuana-derived, are legal. However, while marijuana remains feder- ally illegal, interstate travel with marijuana and/or marijuana-derived products, is illegal, even if the product contains only CBD. Understanding the source of any item you’re using is extremely important when considering travel within the US and internationally.
Biological Effects of CBD
Studies show that CBD exerts multiple effects in the body (see Table 1), without producing the psychoactive “high” as- sociated with THC. One study in healthy volunteers found no psychoactive effects at doses of 200mg CBD. Although theoretical concern exists about the potential for CBD to convert to THC in the body, evidence doesn’t support this. In multiple studies, there were no appreciable blood levels of THC after administration of varying levels of CBD in people.
Until recently, legal limitations have restricted the ability to study the effects of cannabis in humans. As a result, cur- rent evidence supporting the use of CBD for medicinal use is primarily based on animal and test tube studies. Human trials will likely grow signifi cantly in the coming years.
Medical Uses or Health Benefi ts? Epilepsy: The use of CBD in the setting
of epilepsy, especially in children, is the most-well researched with multiple human trials showing benefi t. Most of these studies used very high doses of CBD, ranging from 200mg/day to 200mg/kg/day. Side effects occurred primarily at high doses and in- cluded diarrhea, loss of appetite, and som- nolence. CBD use in children should only be done under the guidance of a physician.
Pain: Given the analgesic and anti-
infl ammatory effects, CBD may be useful in individuals experiencing pain. Research shows that CBD may have an analgesic effect in individuals with neuropathic pain resistant to other medications, and a recent human study found topical CBD oil benefi cial to individuals with neuropathic
Analgesic Anti-infl ammatory Anti-nausea
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