CBD
Non-intoxicating and widely studied
Cannabinoid
What is CBD?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol. It is arguably the second — if not the first — most well-documented cannabinoid, with its proven and vastly expanding list of uses.
How CBD works in the body
Contrary to THC, CBD does not bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors. At high concentrations, CBD directly activates the 5-HT1A (hydroxytryptamine) serotonin receptor, which allows CBD to produce anti-anxiety effects.
CBD also binds to TRPV1 receptors, which function as ion channels. TRPV1 is known to mediate pain perception, inflammation, and body temperature. Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that contain pathways through which ions can flow. In laboratory studies, CBD has been shown to activate and rapidly desensitize TRPV1 — which is part of how it appears to dampen pain and inflammation signaling.
This shows us that CBD is highly effective at suppressing pain responses and inflammation responses in the human body.
Support for your treatment plan
Chronic inflammation conditions, as well as immune diseases and many, many other conditions, can have major benefits from the addition of CBD to their treatment plan. CBD should not necessarily replace a current treatment, but rather provide assistance and boost the effectiveness of a patient's current treatment plan.
Drug interactions
CBD can increase the level of blood-thinning and other medicines in your blood by competing for the liver enzymes that break down these drugs. Grapefruit has a similar effect with certain medicines. This interaction is particularly important if you are taking a blood thinner, an anti-epileptic, or an immunosuppressant medication — all of which need to have stable levels in your blood.
Cravings and addiction
CBD can help lower cravings for tobacco and heroin under certain conditions, according to some research in humans. Animal models of addiction suggest it may also help lessen cravings for other addictive substances such as alcohol, opiates, and stimulants.
CBD and THC: a paradoxical relationship
CBD has shown a paradoxical relationship with THC depending on the consumption method. When inhaled, CBD has shown to be more effective at lowering the levels of THC uptake at the CB1 receptor, lowering the psychoactive effects that THC provides.
Alternatively, when ingested, CBD actually inhibits the liver's ability to metabolize THC, allowing more THC to be released into the system. It's fascinating to see where the research is taking us.
Conditions CBD is effective for
Conditions CBD has been shown to be effective for are epilepsy, Parkinson's, immunocompromised patients, chronic pain patients, chronic anxiety patients, and many others. Dosage does make a difference, and some barriers to entry can be price point, as effective doses of CBD per condition can lead to higher costs. Hopefully higher-concentration CBD products at lower cost can be produced in the future.
Intake methods
The intake methods related to CBD are primarily the same as THC, so there is no need to dive into the same depth here.
Conditions that cite this compound
These condition guides point here — they cover the same compound from the patient side.
- Chronic Pain
- Arthritis & Joint Pain
- Nerve Pain (Neuropathy)
- Migraine & Headache
- Anxiety & Stress
- Depression
- PTSD
- Chemotherapy Nausea
- IBD & IBS
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Epilepsy & Seizures
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's)
- Parkinson's Disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Inflammation
- ADHD
- Asthma
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Alzheimer's & Dementia
- Post-Surgical Pain
- Chemotherapy Cachexia
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Motion Sickness
- Gout