Cannabidiol oil is a popular natural remedy used for many common ailments and is the new “health” fad. It is exploding in popularity and seems to be in everything. It’s almost getting to the point that it’s hard to find food, personal care products, and supplements without it. (OK, that’s an exaggeration.)
So what do we know about CBD?
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of over 100 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa plant. The plant is most commonly known in the U.S. as marijuana or hemp. One of the chemicals is CBD and has been harvested for centuries across the globe for many purposes such as fiber (hemp), seed oil, recreation, spiritual enhancement, and medicine. CBD is different from the psychoactive chemical also found in the plant, THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and causes the sensation of getting “high” that’s often associated with marijuana.
Why is CBD so Popular?
CBD is an appealing option for those who are looking for relief from pain and other symptoms without the mind-altering effects of marijuana or certain pharmaceutical drugs.CBD’s popularity at this point, it’s more marketing than science. The truth is that nobody really knows if CBD is effective in improving health, or whether its use has any long term health risks.
In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a high dose formulation of CBD in a drug called Epidolex to treat rare seizure disorders in children. Three clinical trials proved it was effective for that specific purpose. No other CBD formulated as a drug has been approved by the FDA.
CBD oil is being promoted as a safe product. It’s being marketed, with insufficient or little evidence. CBD is said to help with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep, Crohn disease, Parkinson’s disease, and aches and pains. Some of the benefits reported may be from a placebo effect. More information and studies are needed. So why is it that there is so little information? The reason is that Marijuana is a class drug, which makes it very hard to study. Lack of studies extends to CBD also.
Is it Safe?
Most people think that CBD is safe, but why is there’s no research to prove it? This may be piggybacking on the national movement to legalize marijuana. This movement often reinforces claims about marijuana safety without evidence-based research or regulatory approval.
“What we do know, based on research done by people analyzing purchased products, is that the amount of CBD listed on labels varies from what’s actually in products. Some products are found to contain THC, in combination with the CBD which may not be as effective for pain and anxiety.
Because these CBD products are not regulated or approved by the FDA, the amount of CBD oil can vary greatly even within the same product, and therefore how well they work can also vary from vial to vial. Finding a reputable lab that conducts quality testing as well as test the product for content and provides the information is hard to find.
There is enough information to say that CBD use may be unsafe if you’re pregnant and/or breastfeeding. CBD products are often mixed with other ingredients that may cause harm to your fetus or baby. And like many products including natural products, drug interactions can be present as well as drug-disease interactions.
“More information is needed about possible drug interactions. CBD may change the metabolism of certain drugs that are metabolized by the liver. Another side effect of CBD may be sleepiness or drowsiness. If people are taking sedatives that make them sleepy, CBD may increase that effect. There’s a lot more to learn about CBD and it’s better to avoid using it until it’s proven to be safe.”
Is it legal?
The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill made it legal to sell hemp and hemp products in the U.S. But that doesn’t mean that all hemp-derived CBD products are legal. Since CBD has been studied as a new drug, it can’t be legally included in foods, dietary supplements, or added to products marketed with therapeutic claims. CBD can only be included in “cosmetic” products and only if it contains less than 0.3% THC. Although not legal, there are products labeled as dietary supplements on the market that contain CBD. The FDA sent warning letters to only a handful of manufacturers selling CBD products illegally.
CBD Uses
Research on the potential health benefits of CBD oil is ongoing, so new therapeutic uses for this natural remedy are sure to be discovered.
Pain:
Marijuana has been used to treat pain as far back as 2900 B.C. More recently, scientists have discovered that certain components of marijuana, including CBD, are responsible for its pain-relieving effects.
One study of 47 people with multiple sclerosis examined the effects of taking Sativex for one month. The participants experienced improvements in pain, walking, and muscle spasms. Still, the study didn’t include any control group and placebo effects cannot be ruled out. Another study found that Sativex significantly improved pain during movement, pain at rest, and sleep quality in 58 people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Anxiety and Depression:
CBD oil has shown promise as a treatment for both depression and anxiety, leading many who live with these disorders to become interested in this natural approach.
In one Brazilian study, 57 men received either oral CBD or a placebo 90 minutes before they underwent a simulated public speaking test. The researchers found that a 300-mg dose of CBD was the most effective at significantly reducing anxiety during the test.
The placebo, a 150-mg dose of CBD, and a 600-mg dose of CBD had little to no effect on anxiety. CBD oil has even been used to safely treat insomnia and anxiety in children with post-traumatic stress disorder. CBD has also shown antidepressant-like effects in several animal studies.
CBD is also being studied in patients who have cancer to alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy, has been studied for acne, in heart disease, as antipsychotic, in diabetes, and many more.
One of the biggest problems is that we do not know how much CBD oil is safe, or what dose will work for pain or for anxiety. We know there are side effects and potential for more that we do not know. Possible side effects are:
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Fatigue
Our Advice
CBD may seem like a quick remedy for your aches and pains, but there’s more you need to know. Consult your primary care provider about your symptoms. Before you start using CBD oil, discuss it with your doctor to ensure your safety, and avoid potentially harmful interactions.
