Cancer

Controlled studies have shown promising results for CBD in relation to the treatment of cancer patients, with those using a combination of CBD and THC showing relevant improvements in survival compared with placebo. This is especially positive given that in addition to relevant improvements, cannabinoid medicine has generally been well tolerated.

In the same studies, CBD was found to exhibit “pro‐apoptotic and anti‐proliferative actions” in different types of tumors, thus leading researchers to conclude that “evidence is emerging to suggest that CBD is a potent inhibitor of both cancer growth and spread.”

And while these trials are still in the early stages, it is widely believed that we can be optimistic about the benefits and future outlook when it comes to using CBD products in the treatment of cancer.

Anxiety

Current evidence indicates that CBD has huge potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders including:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

More info: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epilepsy

The therapeutic benefits of CBD products on epilepsy appear to be mounting.
Medical reviews published in 2017 and 2018 incorporating numerous clinical trials concluded that cannabidiol is an effective treatment for certain types of childhood epilepsy.

An orally administered cannabidiol solution was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in June 2018 as a treatment for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

Pain & Inflammation

While the data supporting this claim is still in its infancy, an anecdotal view strongly suggests two instances of pain and inflammation CBD products appear to be very effective.

1. Neuropathic Pain
Evidence collected in a 2006 research review found that CBD/THC buccal spray could be effective in treating neuropathic pain in Multiple Sclerosis sufferers, with the caveat that the review was based on a small number of trials and patients.

2. Intestinal or Bowel Disease:
Studies into the effects of CBD products on pain and inflammation in relation to intestinal or bowel disease have concluded that CBD could be a “promising therapeutic agent” in the treatment if inflammatory bowel disorders.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Small scale studies have highlighted a “marked improvement” of between 12 to 15 percent across three distinct inflammatory markers for heart disease; homocysteine, c-reactive protein, and EST, all of which could point to a reduced risk of heart disease.

Antipsychotic Effects

A 2015 systematic review in Schizophrenia Research indicated that CBD could be helpful in the management of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. According to researchers, the first small-scale clinical studies were promising – both with regards to the effectiveness and the safety of the practice –, but larger randomized clinical trials are necessary to confirm these benefits.

More info: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opiate Addiction

More Effective Treatment at Lower Doses:
An independent study by UCSF reported that cannabinoids appear to make opioid treatment more effective at lower doses and with fewer side effects. This is supported by numerous observational studies which suggest that some patients voluntarily decrease the number of opiates they are using—or go off opiates completely—when they use them in conjunction with cannabis.

Reduced Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal:
Research also suggests that cannabis can help treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, muscle spasms, anxiety, agitation, restlessness, insomnia, and minor symptoms like a runny nose and sweating.

Reduced Risk of Relapse:
Recent animal studies, have shown that the heroin-seeking behavior of self-administering rats decreased when the animals were given CBD, while Preclinical data further suggests that CBD inhibits the reward-facilitating effect of opiates by disrupting the reconsolidation of cue-induced memories that reinforce addiction.

Mental Focus

Cannabinoid molecules influence receptors throughout the body, impacting their ability to uptake neurotransmitters. Essentially, CBD has the ability to make these receptors more sensitive and in turn, our responses more acute. 

In relation to focus, CBD appears to have a direct impact on the production and release of serotonin. Seratonin is a neurotransmitter released during sleeping, eating, and digestion, that helps regulate our emotions. Too-low levels of serotonin can result in anxiety and depression, symptoms of which can be poor concentration and the inability to slow down your thoughts or focus on one thing. So when you increase the amount of serotonin being absorbed by the body, as CBD helps to do, you decrease those symptoms—often leading a more settled emotional state and better focus.

Dopamine, on the other hand, is a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and motivation, what attracts us and holds our attention, and how we can plan and accomplish things. As with serotonin, dopamine shortages can lead to anxiety and depression, but also to a couple of disorders heavily centered on focus: ADHD and ADD—which is where certain research comes in.

While to date there have still been no clinical trials of CBD’s effect on ADHD or ADD on a broad scale, there is significant anecdotal evidence that CBD helps decrease hyperactive behavior and increase focus by way of affecting dopamine reuptake.