CBD and Current Research

 

So it's no wonder the CBD has become a staple in every household around the globe. Among hundreds of different cannabinoids of the Cannabis plant, THC and CBD have stolen the spotlight. Immense public interest and promising therapeutic properties of CBD have led researchers to work at lightning speed to find out more about this plant-based healing compound.
According to Mayo clinic, different research studies and anecdotal evidence on CBD oil revealed that its application is helpful for vomiting, nausea, and muscle spasms. Initially, it was mainly used to manage stress, anxiety, inflammation, and pain. However, some other advanced researches show its efficacy to relieve various health concerns ranging from neuropathic pain to schizophrenia.
Let's take a look at some of the recent research studies conducted to unravel more about the therapeutic properties of CBD.

Need For More CBD Studies?

Worldwide almost 300 clinical trials related to CBD are underway that may make you think the reason behind this massive influx. One of the most important reasons is that manufacturers and CBD consumers have relied only on anecdotal evidence supporting CBD. However, we need more concrete research to rely on this natural compound as a possible alternative to existing medications or even an option to manage our health concerns.

Research on CBD for Schizophrenia

According to a recent study published in the Schizophrenia Bulletin Open Journal, CBD may act as an effective treatment option for this debilitating disease. The study reviewed various other studies conducted on patients who have schizophrenia and the treatment with CBD. It was found that CBD has potent antipsychotic abilities that may improve cognitive impairments and psychotic symptoms related to schizophrenia.
Scientists believe that CBD can do this by reducing neuronal excitability and neuroinflammation by blocking the activity of the GPR55 receptor. This receptor is linked with the pathogenesis of many other mental conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy, due to its ability to promote neuron excitability and neuroinflammation.
In another study conducted in 2012, scientists compared the treatment of schizophrenia with CBD and with other standard treatments such as amisulpride. The results indicate that patients who consumed 800 mg of CBD found relief of symptoms without experiencing any side effects commonly experienced after using antipsychotic drugs like weight gain.

CBD for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

According to the US department of veteran affairs, almost 4% of men and 10% of women suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder during their lifetime. Due to the increasing number of PTSD patients, the University of Texas at Austin developed a randomized, double-blind, rigorous clinical trial with an intention to assess the efficacy of CBD as a treatment option for patients who have PTSD. This study was started in 2020 and consisted of 120 participants diagnosed with PTSD as a primary mental disorder.
The participants are allowed to self-administer placebo oil or CBD oil for eight weeks. Non-placebo participants are given a fixed dose of hemp-derived 300 mg pure CBD every day. During the treatment time and the three-month follow-up, participants are required to complete various assessments.
Researchers believe that patients who are only receiving CBD will show significant improvement in their symptoms compared to those receiving placebo. The study will be completed in May 2023. If positive results are obtained from this clinical trial, it will likely become a game-changer for individuals suffering from PTSD.

Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds that counter harmful free radicals in our body d and reduce the damage done by them. Experts think that free radicals can lead to cancer and various diseases. Researchers believe that CBD also has powerful antioxidant properties. A study published in a Medicines Journal investigated various hemp seed and CBD oils for their antioxidant properties. The research mainly focused on the activity and concentration of antioxidants in these oils. It was found that as compared to hemp seed oils, CBD oil contains a higher concentration of potent antioxidant properties. In this regard, more solid research is further required.

CBD for Anxiety in Breast Cancer

In the United States, one in every 8 women develops breast cancer. Another worrisome problem in these patients is dealing with anxiety, especially those with late-stage cancer. In order to study CBD's potential to reduce anxiety in advanced breast cancer patients, a double-blind, phase two randomized study was started 2020.
This study involves 50 participants diagnosed with metastatic or late-stage breast cancer. The patients must be over the age of 21 and exhibit mild anxiety symptoms before scans. Scientists involved in this study are specifically interested in studying the changes in anticipatory anxiety experienced before a CT scan.
Non-placebo participants will be given CBD in oral form before the CT scan. Participants who received placebo will be provided with an oral dose of corn syrup. The participants are required to complete questionnaires before and after the CT scans. They will also have a phone interview after each CT scan with the researchers.
It is estimated that the study will be completed in February 2024, and it will hopefully provide enough evidence to support CBD's potential to provide relief from anticipatory anxiety. Scientists believe that it would not only be a monumental achievement for anticipatory anxiety but may also open doors to treating other forms of anxiety with CBD.

Opioid Addiction

Scientists believe that CBD may also be very effective in managing opioid addiction. According to CDC, 128 people died due to opioid overdose each day. To decrease opioid withdrawal symptoms that can be fatal, researchers at John Hopkins University started a study in November 2020 to analyse CBD for opioid withdrawal relief. This randomized study includes 50 participants subjected to spontaneous opioid withdrawal. They will either receive a placebo or Epidiolex. This is a phase 1 study, which means that its finding may be used to acquire a R01 grant application, allowing the researchers to analyse the hypothesis closely. The researchers will monitor changes in withdrawal severity using the SOWS or subjective appeared withdrawal scale.
Since this is a pilot study, a miniature version of a more extensive study, it will take some time before we hear about the results of this study and its impacts on future research.
Different studies show that the inhibitory effect of CBD may help manage triggers of anxiety and cravings in people suffering from heroin addiction. Some other studies have also found that CBD oil reduces cravings in abstinent drug people. For example, a study conducted on 42 patients with CBD oil experienced fewer cravings for one week after consuming CBD.


Pain

One of the primary use of CBD is to manage pain. Anecdotal shreds of evidence also support the analgesic properties of CBD. According to research published in the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, CBD may act on receptors linked with regulating pain perception in the body. National health interview survey has found that 20 % of individuals in the US struggle with pain. Therefore, it is not surprising that the switch to CBD as a pain alternative to toxic opioids.

Final Thoughts

At this point, there is so much about CBD that patients and professionals do not know. Experts believe that although CBD is not harmful, we cannot consider it a medical alternative for any health concern without proper research and clinical trials. Even basic things like CBD dosage are not yet clear. Therefore, more serious population-based research studies are required to fully benefit from CBD's health properties.