What is CBD good for?
Is CBD ready to use?
Books have already been written about CBD. Unfortunately, mainly by people who are against its use, for whatever reason. That means, not much is known about CBD and the positive effects its use can have on our bodies.
The science about CBD
CBD or cannabinoid is a chemical that comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant, called marijuana or hemp. The Cannabis Sativa plant has more than 80 compounds, the cannabinoids. The main component of marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but cannabidiol is mainly obtained from hemp.
Hemp contains minimal amounts of THC. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning it does not produce the euphoric sensation or "high" generally associated with marijuana or cannabis. Fortunately, that is not the only effect this plant has on us. The medicinal effects of CBD are emerging more and more. Now that the illegal label is disappearing a bit, more scientific research can be done.
Since CBD has only just entered the mainstream of medicine, there are still many unanswered questions that need to be explored. Early research focused on the role of cannabinoid receptors in the brain in sensing and processing CBD, and its effect on dopamine production in the brain.
In recent years, doctors have launched small-scale CBD studies and CBD clinical trials to find other potential uses for the compound. CBD is becoming more and more known. Also as a potential treatment for some mood disorders, especially generalized anxiety.
It could even help war syndrome patients. Of course, there is still a lot we need to learn about CBD. No long-term studies have shown the effects of CBD on brain structure or quality of life. It will be some time before there is a patient community large enough to conduct a multi-decade clinical CBD study.
Scientific research is needed
The science about CBD and why well-constructed scientific research about CBD is important. Although marijuana has been used for centuries, little is actually known about the how and why of its effects, consequences and how it works. This is partly because the use of marijuana has long been considered illegal.
The sect of professional killers that infested the Persian Empire between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries has done the name of marijuana no good. It did give us a word in the English language, "Assesin" for murderer. The Persians used hashees as a stimulant to give them courage.
Modern times
Even in these exciting times, there is reason to conduct further research, for example into the effect of CBD on patients with severe and critical COVID-19 infection. A small study is being conducted in Israel, with forty participants and without the double-blind factor.
But the research may show that as a medicine, CBD can help patients manage pain and ease breathing. Anxiety attacks for no apparent reason, studies on the effect on children with severe behavioral disorders, epilepsy and other conditions, just to name a few.
The health benefits of CBD
Unfortunately, much remains to be done in the legislation. The sale of CBD is still limited to proven medical use and that means it is only available with a prescription from the general practitioner or specialist. Of course, much of the medical community wants to keep it that way, while ordinary people with access to the raw form of cannabis have actually long known that there is a lot to expect from CBD.
The health benefits of CBD can mainly be found in combating pain, anxiety and tension, or stress. Acute pain in particular can be better controlled with this gentle form of medication, especially if opiates are used in contrast. Opiates are much more likely to have a lasting effect, in the form of addiction.
CBD has not been found to be addictive, and has been shown to regulate the stress response and help alleviate compulsive behaviors. CBD may also have an effect on opioid receptors, meaning it could help people suffering from opioid addiction with their withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction to drugs
Opioid addiction is one of the most disastrous public health crises of the 21st century. Since the XNUMXs, when pharmaceutical companies first claimed that prescription opioid painkillers were safe and non-addictive, their use has increased. However, these claims have now been proven false: an estimated half a million people in the Netherlands have admitted to abusing their prescribed painkillers.
Opioids, especially benzodiazepines, are used to treat alcohol addiction. This is clearly a question of replacing one addiction with a more serious form. It is high time to move away from the information provided by drug manufacturers. Do your own research and be guided by common sense and your good feeling. CBD is really ready to use.
