The CBD Boom

SO MUCH MORE THAN HYPE

Cannabidiol (CBD) may seem like a novelty in health these days but it has actually been strong on the market for at least a decade. In 2020, it was valued at a whopping €2.5 billion and Grand View Research reports that its value is set to soar at an annual growth rate of above 20 per cent until 2028. Its many healing properties, alongside greater acceptance on the part of governments across the globe, has led to a big rise in demand for CBD and today, it is widely used for therapeutic reasons ranging from anxiety and depression to inflammation, pain relief, cancer symptom relief, and the list goes on. Those who are wary of the product, take note – it is non-addictive and devoid of psychoactive effects. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

HOW DOES CBD DIFFER FROM MARIJUANA, CANNABIS, AND HEMP?

Although CBD is present in cannabis (marijuana) and it is a vital component of medical marijuana, it is actually derived from hemp – a variety of the Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) plant. CBD can be manufactured synthetically though it is mostly extracted from hemp plants in oil form and mixed with a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil. As stated by the World Health Organisation, CBD has no potential to be abused. Moreover, it has no associated health problems.

IN WHAT FORM IS CBD CONSUMED?

CBD can be purchased in a number of different formats – including oils, pills, capsules, and even crisps and gummy bears. When buying CBD, make sure to choose products that are made with full or broadspectrum oils (which are less processed). Full-spectrum oils contain CBD and THC, while broad-spectrum oils have all the important cannabinoids without THC. Research shows that you may obtain the best results from combining CBD and THC (this is known as the ‘entourage effect’). THC does have psychoactive effects, however, so if these are undesired, simply stick to CBD to obtain a wide range of benefits.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBD?

These are almost too many to mention. Read on to discover just a few symptoms, conditions, and diseases that it can help with.

CBD FOR THE MIND

A 2019 study showed that taking between 300 and 600mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety in a group of 57 adult males. CBD is thought to weave its magic by reacting with specific receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and researchers also believe it may alter serotonin signals. Multiple studies have shown that CBD reduces the symptoms of anxiety and it can help to reduce PTSD symptoms such as nightmares and repetitive negative memories. A 2016 study, meanwhile, showed that CBD can have antipsychotic benefits for people with schizophrenia, however, it produces none of the harsh side-effects of some antipsychotic medications.

CBD VS ADDICTION

A clinical trial has shown that people who received CBD medication had fewer cravings for opioids than those who received a placebo. These effects lasted between 24 hours and one week, with people receiving higher doses of CBD enjoying longerlasting benefits. CBD reduced the stress response to drug cues, producing less anxiety, lower heart rates, and stress hormone (cortisol) levels. Researchers therefore see CBD as a potential low-risk way to manage addictions to pharmaceutical opioids.

CBD KNOCKS OUT PAIN

CBD has been found in numerous studies to alleviate pain. For instance, one 2020 study showed that topical CBD was efficient at relieving the intense pain and itching associated with a type of brain nerve and spinal cord nerve damage. CBD is also currently used to treat chronic back pain and headaches, cancer-related pain, and inflammation (which is closely related to painful conditions like arthritis). It seems to have various interactions and appears to modulate the endocannabinoid, inflammatory, and pain-sensing systems. The endocannabinoid system has receptors that interact with the body’s own cannabinoids. It regulates various important functions, notes Health Harvard, including mood, anxiety, and pain perception.

SOOTHING SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS

Around 29 per cent of people with arthritis use CBD, mainly in liquid or topical form. One randomised trial on the effects of topical CBD on knee pain came to mixed conclusions, while another 2021 study by researchers showed that CBD relieves pain by both pharmacological action and psychological placebo effects. Moreover, there is a mass of anecdotal evidence showing that it can provide rater dramatic improvement. Researchers have additionally found that CBD has the ability to soothe inflammation and pain.

CBD influences how our brain perceives stress, precisely because it interacts with our serotonin receptors. Because it has no side-effects, it is worth trying out if you have arthritis and pain or stiffness is standing in the way of your everyday life tasks.

CBD VS EPILEPSY, DIABETES, AND OTHER CONDITIONS

CBD can help people with conditions like epilepsy and diabetes. In 2018, researchers found that it significantly reduced seizures in patients with severe epilepsy. Many studies have also shown promise with the treatment of diabetes. One 2006 study showed that it could help stop diabetic retinopathy (leaky blood vessels). Another body of research found that it could help reduce nerve pain in areas like the feet and help diabetics sleep better. CBD can have a powerful effect on many bodily systems. A 2015 study found, for instance, that it could help heal bone fissures. Another 2019 lab study found that it could work similarly to a ‘Trojan horse’ to deliver medications across the blood-brain barrier into the brain. One particularly surprising (2020) study showed that it had antibacterial activity against drug-resistant MRSA. It prevented bacteria from forming biofilms (communities of microorganisms that attach to each other and cover surfaces). Finally, because CBD reduces resting blood pressure, it may benefit heart health.

WHY SEEKING DOCTOR APPROVAL IS WISE

If you wish to treat chronic pain or any other condition you may have via CBD, it pays to run the idea by your health professional first. One 2018 lab study (on mice) undertaken at Indiana

University found that over-the-counter CBD could have unknown side-effects, one of which was higher pressure inside the eye. This suggests that using CBD to treat glaucoma may actually make matters worse.

CBS can also have interactions with specific medications used to treat blood pressure and high cholesterol. Finally, it can, in some cases, have side-effects such as tiredness, appetite or weight changes, and tummy upset.

The science on CBD is relatively new, meaning that studies still need to be carried out on the longterm effects of taking it regularly. Scientists are also seeking to discover how different means of consumption (vaping, smoking, topical, etc.) affect one’s intake, whether or not CBD has an effect on male reproductive toxicity (as has been found in some animal studies), how it interacts with herbs and other plant-based treatments, and its effects on developing foetuses or newborns.

ENSURING YOU CHOOSE TOP-QUALITY PRODUCTS

Knowing where your CBD oil is sourced from is also vital. A 2017 study found that some 70 per cent of CBD extracts sold online are mislabelled, with some products under- or over-labelling CBD contain and some containing unlisted components such as THC. The International Research Centre on Cannabis and Health has issued a warning that consumers should avoid buying CBD vaping products from unregulated markets.

When buying products, avoid those that list only hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, or Cannabis sativa seed oil. These are not the same product as CBD. Bodies like the FDA are currently working on updating current regulatory frameworks to ensure that CBD products reach customers in a safe, effective way. As the scientific community increases its body of knowledge on CBD, these regulations will be adapted appropriately. In Spain, any products containing CBD oil cannot be sold if THC levels are above 0.2 per cent. Moreover, all seeds for hemp cultivation must be obtained from the Approved European Hemp Seed Catalogue. e