CBD: Exploring the Science, Benefits, and Risks

Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated plants, dating back nearly 12,000 years to the Altai Mountains in Central Asia. Historically, it had many uses. Fibres from the plant were crafted into ropes and nets. The seeds served as a source of food and oil. Its medicinal properties were harnessed for healing.

Ayurvedic medicine has long recognised cannabis. It has been used for its ability to reduce pain, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia, as well as its psychoactive effects. Even Queen Victoria reportedly used it to ease menstrual cramps, with her physician, J. Russell Reynolds, publishing over 30 years of cannabis-related observations in The Lancet¹.

CBD & The Modern World

In the modern era, cannabis finds itself at the center of debates in politics, medicine, and media. Its benefits and risks are hotly contested. While much of the focus remains on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound responsible for the high, another component is gaining attention. Cannabidiol (CBD) is emerging as a promising alternative, offering potential therapeutic effects without the intoxicating impact of THC.

Since 2018, CBD products have been legal in the UK, provided they are derived from approved hemp strains and contain less than 1 mg of THC per product². This has propelled the UK’s CBD market to an estimated value of £690 million in 2021, doubling since 2019.

But what exactly is CBD, and how does it work?

Understanding the Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex neuromodulatory network that influences numerous physiological and cognitive functions. It comprises three main components:

Endocannabinoids: Anandamide and 2-AG are naturally occurring cannabinoids that help regulate processes like pain, mood, and appetite.
Receptors: CB1 receptors are abundant in the brain, particularly in areas like the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, and are key to modulating synaptic transmission. CB2 receptors are more common in immune cells and peripheral tissues.
Enzymes: These break down endocannabinoids once they’ve fulfilled their function.

Unlike THC, which binds directly to CB1 receptors to produce its psychoactive effects, CBD interacts more subtly. It influences CB1 and CB2 receptors indirectly and interacts with other signalling pathways, making its exact mechanism less understood³.

The ECS is also crucial for neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity, playing a role in processes ranging from embryonic development to stress responses.

Potential Benefits of CBD

Although rigorous research on CBD’s efficacy is still evolving, historical and anecdotal evidence suggests it may have the following therapeutic effects:

Pain Management: CBD is commonly used for chronic pain conditions, accounting for over 40% of medicinal cannabis use cases⁴.
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea: Oral cannabinoids have shown efficacy as antiemetics for cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms: CBD has been observed to reduce spasticity in MS patients.

Beyond these, CBD is being explored for its anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties. However, inconsistent dosing across studies and delivery methods complicates scientific validation.

Risks and Safety Concerns

While CBD is generally well-tolerated, cannabis use as a whole raises concerns, particularly regarding neurodevelopment:

Adolescence and Neurodevelopment: Cannabis exposure during adolescence is linked to accelerated cortical thinning in the prefrontal cortex, associated with cognitive and emotional impairments⁵.
Schizophrenia Risk: Regular cannabis use may increase the risk of psychosis and schizophrenia, especially for individuals with a genetic predisposition⁶.
Pregnancy: The ECS plays a role in early brain development, with CB1 receptors present as early as 14 weeks of gestation. Disruption during this critical period could have long-term consequences⁷.

Additional studies have noted altered speech production and reduced neural health in adult cannabis users⁸.

TLDR:

CBD holds great promise as a therapeutic agent, offering potential benefits for pain, anxiety, and neurological disorders without the intoxicating effects of THC. However, it is not without risks, particularly when considering the broader impacts of cannabis use on neurodevelopment and mental health.

As research continues to improve understanding on this fascinating compound, a balanced approach—grounded in science and awareness of individual health—is key to unlocking its full potential.

References

[NB. All images created using MidJourney]

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