CBD Science continues to be furthered. It’s tempting to think of cannabidiol as an herbal panacea. Further, it’s being touted as a potential treatment for several common ailments. This includes, asthma, obesity, drug addiction, acne, Alzheimer’s, migraines, PTSD and insomnia, just to name a few.
Scientific research into CBD’s healthful properties has largely been stifled in the United States. Until recently, that is. As such, much of the evidence is:
- Historical, i.e., “Napoleon’s troops probably used it!”
- Anecdotal, i.e., “My aunt swears by it!” Or,
- Based on lab studies of animals. The rat was unavailable for comment.
Accordingly, CBD Science is coming to fruition. In June 2018, a decision was made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consequently this approves a cannabis-derived drug called Epidiolex. It treats certain forms of epilepsy. This is a positive sign that barriers to cannabis research may continue to be lifted.
Consider, 30 states plus the District of Columbia have approved some form of medical cannabis. The need for answers and more CBD science research is obvious.
We know that cannabidiol is a key component in the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis. Claims exist stating CBD topicals can help with dandruff, athlete’s foot and everything in between.
A growing body of research suggests exploring the anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-cancer, anti-you-name-it properties of CBD. There are few definitive results yet. However, there are hundreds of CBD products trying to answer people’s urgent health needs. This has a way of putting public demand ahead of the research curve.
How might it help you? Here are just a few of the applications that show promise.
CBD Science and Convulsive Disorders
First, the medical journal Epilepsia notes cannabis being used to treat epilepsy for centuries. As research continues, patients are using CBD to limit or eliminate seizures. Consequently, this has been seen in numerous reports, most famously CNN’s docu-series Weed.
CBD Research and Cancer
Secondly, some of the strongest support for medical applications of cannabis comes from cancer research. In The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s 2017 review, 10,000 scientific abstracts gained consideration. In summary, cannabinoids are helping cancer patients deal with pain, general wasting and the nausea and vomiting that come with chemotherapy. This is according to the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Other studies suggest CBD and other cannabinoids may also play a role in limiting tumor growth.
Academic CBD and Acne
Third, a study in The Journal of Clinical Investigation cites positive notes about CBD and acne. They claim its effectiveness in corralling over productive sebaceous glands, and limiting the inflammation that causes “acne vulgaris.”
CBD Potential and Anxiety
In a review published in the Neurotherapeutics journal, researchers said there is “considerable potential” for CBD as a balm. This would be for a wide range of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive behaviors and panic disorders.
CBD Science and Addiction
Surprisingly, another Neurotherapeutics study makes the case for using CBD to limit “drug-seeking behaviors.”
This is ironic. How many times have you heard the term “gateway drug” as it relates to cannabis? It is now being thought of as an “exit drug.”
CBD and Smoking Cessation
An Addictive Behavior study showed that tapping a CBD inhaler decreased the number of cigarettes users smoked by 40 percent.
CBD and Pain
The Journal of Experimental Medicine reported that CBD therapy soothed both chronic inflammatory and neurophathic (nerve) pain. It’s important to note it was a rat study. Incidentally, rats have feelings, too.
CBD Science quirk
The Entourage Effect enhances the effects of cannabis. If you want the whole effect, you may need the whole plant.
In conclusion, based on current and future findings, there may be a wave of CBD-related therapies coming soon. Given the limits of current CBD science, you’ll have to be your own research scientist and lab rat. However, it beats waiting for the next issue of Neurotherapeutics to hit your mailbox.
Check out The Clear CBD’s Blog for more info!
Image source: Gotgot44 / Wikimedia Commons
