In recent years, Cannabidiol (CBD), has been a large topic of conversation. CBD although an active ingredient in marijuana, is it not involved directly with THC and the “high” given from it, instead it is derived from the hemp plant itself. The usage of this drug has drawn up some interesting connection to neuropsychiatric disorders. For disorders such as anxiety, panic, OCD, etc the study done by Blessing et al., (2015), has shown a positive treatment with CBD. The evidence seen from this stemmed from its ability to decrease autonomic arousal therefore decreasing fear expressions (anxiety) and anxiolytic/panicolytic effects are lowered as well. Both of these are directly related to these neuropsychiatric disorders and can benefit them for these acute stressors.
Largely related to this is the news that the FDA released the first ever cannabis-derived medicine (containing CBD) for rare conditions of epilepsy. The reason for this high rate of success stemming from epilepsy and CBD is the improvement in seizure control. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found through Epilepsy Therapy Screening that CBD protects the user from (dose dependent) maximal electroshock induced seizures. When compared to THC, CBD showed more defined anticonvulsant profiles in the animal models relating to certain types of seizures. CBD also has the potential to bind to pain receptors which can decrease the pain a patient is going to have with the seizure. Not only would this benefit seizures but pain control in general in the medical field. This has become so popular so quick in its relation to a low negative effect for the user compared to other drugs.
There is still a lot to learn about CBD but I feel the need for more information to come out about it as we have seen so many positive affects tied to it. Long term affects are not yet assessed as well as other physiological implications that we may not know of.
Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 12(4), 825-36.
Perucca E. (2017). Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Hard Evidence at Last?. Journal of epilepsy research, 7(2), 61-76. doi:10.14581/jer.17012
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm611046.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment