CBD is, along with THC, one of the most important components of cannabis. Its molecular structure is very similar to that of its partner, tetrahydrocannabinol, with the difference that THC has psychoactive effects, something that CBD does not cause. Its low toxicity makes this substance the key to marijuana for treating numerous diseases.
According to a study published in the journal Pharmacology & Pharmacy, CBD-rich marijuana plant extract has better efficiency than CBD used in its pure chemical form. This is due to the presence of other cannabinoids and molecules in the plant, which act as an enhancer of its properties due to the so-called "entourage effect". Now, what are the most widespread uses of CBD and for what diseases is it used as therapy? We bring you several examples.
1. Reduce pain caused by arthritis and rheumatism
- Joint diseases can be due to two main reasons. On the one hand, its wear and subsequent inflammation, as in the case of osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis; on the other hand, to an autoimmune disease or infection such as rheumatoid arthritis. These types of ailments are associated with severe pain for which the use of CBD is a very effective solution. The nerves responsible for transporting pain signals from the joints to the brain are packed with cannabinoid receptors.
- In this sense, CBD acts with an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, reducing swelling and relieving pain for patients. It can be supplied orally or topically in creams or ointments that act directly on localized pain. Some studies even suggest that the compound slows the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, as it is a substance responsible for modulating the immune system.
2. Alleviate the symptoms of chemotherapy
- According to a study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, cannabidiol has antiangiogenesis agents. This means that it inhibits the creation of new blood channels necessary for tumor growth. Thus, cannabidiol stops the proliferation and invasions of harmful cells in some types of cancer such as breast, lung or brain cancer.
- Likewise, CBD, having antiemetic properties, serves to fight against nausea and vomiting caused by the chemotherapy sessions that these patients take.
3. Fight against convulsive seizures of epilepsy
- Several clinical studies have shown that CBD has anticonvulsant properties and is an effective way to treat epilepsy. It is considered an effective remedy especially in children with Dravet, West or Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. These diseases considered rare cause longer attacks and, therefore, a greater risk of suffering irreversible brain damage.
- It has been proven that the administration of CBD stops these attacks, protecting patients from their consequences. There have even been cases in which CBD has been the only valid treatment for seizures, as happened to the American girl Charlotte Figi, who suffered up to 300 epileptic seizures a week and managed to reduce them by 99% thanks to the CBD intake. Now Charlotte can sleep and eat alone; Even the severe autism that he suffered due to his illness has been reduced. Its excellent results, endorsed by a growing number of experts, served to encourage thousands of patients with epilepsy to consume CBD. One of the most famous CBD-rich marijuana strains even bears her name: Charlotte's Web.
4. Reduce the symptoms of multiple sclerosis
- The main characteristic of multiple sclerosis is inflammation of neuronal tissue, something that CBD is able to reduce thanks to its anti-inflammatory agents. Throughout history, numerous studies have supported these benefits, which have served to create the world's first cannabis-based drug, Sativex.
- The neuronal inflammation produced by multiple sclerosis triggers a series of neurological symptoms, including loss of motor control, muscle weakness and spasms, unstable mood, and fatigue. These can also be reduced by the consumption of CBD, which also has anxiolytic and antispasmic qualities.
- In addition, it has also been shown that CBD is capable of controlling the pain associated with this disease. In a clinical trial, CBD-based medicine administered under the tongue as a spray proved to be more effective than placebo in reducing pain and sleep disorders in multiple sclerosis patients.
5. Fight inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis
- According to the Spanish Observatory of Medicinal Cannabis, CBD is a powerful remedy against ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Both are caused by inflammation of the intestine, which CBD combats and reduces with its anti-inflammatory agents.
- Thus, many patients in situations of acute and chronic inflammation in their intestines have benefited from treatment with cannabinoids to improve their quality of life. Even so, in this type of diseases, as in others, experts assure that more scientific studies are needed in order to know the indicated doses for each pathology.
6. Protect against neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's
- Neuroscience researchers in Australia have suggested that CBD may have therapeutic potential for specific cognitive disorders associated with Alzheimer's. This is because CBD would reduce the aggregation of beta-amyloid plaques, an indicator protein of the disease, and would decrease the phosphorylation (chemical process of adding phosphates) of Tau proteins, another biological indicator of this condition. This would cause the degeneration of neurons, leading to cell death.
- CBD, due to its multiple qualities, would also reduce neuronal inflammation and favor the creation of new brain cells that would help stop the disease. Thus, CBD would act as a preventive neuroprotector.
7. Stop the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Similarly, CBD has been shown to have beneficial effects in major neurodegenerative diseases that compromise the basal ganglia and mitochondrial portions of the brain. One of these diseases is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS; In many cases, medical marijuana has slowed and stopped its progression.
- Cannabinoid receptors are associated with appetite, pain sensation, and mood. In this way, when activated with the presence of CBD, they release neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities that also reduce the symptoms of ALS.
8. Help in eliminating depression and anxiety
- CBD also stands out for being an efficient anxiolytic, which allows you to regulate your mood and avoid depressive phases. In addition, it produces a feeling of relaxation and mental well-being that helps with episodes of anxiety and panic attacks, according to a study published in 2016 in the journal Current Neuropharmacology. Unlike its cousin THC, CBD does not cause psychoactive effects, which makes it suitable for the treatment of diseases related to mental states.
9. Control the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia
- CBD also appears to have an effect against schizophrenia. It has been detected that patients who cannot keep their symptoms under control with standardized antipsychotic medications have managed to do so thanks to CBD.
- These symptoms involve conditions in perception, cognition, ego functions, will, affectivity, motivation and even psychomotor function. All of them improve CBD consumption. Likewise, the endocannabinoid system regulates emotions, sleep, the reward system and aversive memory of patients, while CBD achieves a positive effect on the metabolic, anti-inflammatory and stress-related components of schizophrenia.
10. Avoid acne
- Interestingly, CBD can also be used to fight acne. Its sebostatic effect combined with the anti-inflammatory reduces the formation of sebum in the skin and thus prevents the development of this pathology, which mostly affects adolescents.
With these medical applications we prove that CBD is a therapeutic asset to treat different diseases. Even so, many experts demand to continue researching its properties in order to take advantage of all its medical and scientific qualities.
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