Cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD oil, is a substance obtained from the plant Cannabis sativaknown as marijuana, which is capable of relieving symptoms of anxiety, helping to treat insomnia and having benefits in the treatment of epilepsy.
Unlike other marijuana-based medicines, cannabidiol oil does not contain THC, which is the substance in marijuana responsible for psychotropic effects, such as loss of consciousness and distortions in time and space, for example. Therefore, there is a greater likelihood that cannabidiol oil will be used in clinical practice. Discover other effects of marijuana.
However, more studies are still needed to clarify the benefits of CBD oil for each problem, as well as the most recommended concentration.
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Possible health benefits
Due to the way CBD oil acts in the body, its use can bring some health benefits and can even be considered in the treatment of some diseases:
- Epilepsy: some studies have shown that cannabidiol oil is capable of reducing the frequency of seizures due to the interaction of this substance with CB1-type receptors in the brain, as well as other non-specific receptors for cannabidiol;
- Post-traumatic stress: a study carried out with people diagnosed with post-traumatic stress found that the use of cannabidiol caused an improvement in anxiety symptoms and cognitive impairment, compared to the group treated with placebo, in which a worsening of symptoms was observed;
- Insomnia: By acting on neuronal regulation and release of neurotransmitters, cannabidiol oil can promote relaxation and, thus, help in the treatment of insomnia. It was also observed in a case study that the use of 25 mg of cannabidiol oil was able to improve sleep quality;
- Inflammation: a study carried out with rats indicated that cannabidiol was effective in relieving pain related to inflammation, as it appears to interact with receptors related to the sensation of pain.
How cannabidiol oil works
The action of cannabidiol oil is mainly due to its activity on two receptors present in the body, known as CB1 and CB2. CB1 is located in the brain and is related to the regulation of neurotransmitter release and neuronal activity, while CB2 is present in lymphoid organs, which is responsible for inflammatory and infectious responses.
By acting on the CB1 receptor, cannabidiol is able to prevent excessive neuronal activity, helping to relax and reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, in addition to regulating pain perception, memory, coordination and cognitive capacity. By acting on the CB2 receptor, cannabidiol helps in the process of releasing cytokines by immune system cells, which helps to reduce pain and inflammation.
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Possible side effects
Some studies have found that the side effects of cannabidiol oil are related to improper use of the product, especially without being recommended by a doctor or in increased concentrations, with tiredness and excessive sleep, diarrhea, changes in appetite and weight, irritability, diarrhea, vomiting and respiratory problems. Furthermore, it has been found that doses in children above 200 mg of cannabidiol can worsen symptoms related to anxiety, in addition to promoting an increase in heart rate and mood changes.
It was also found that cannabidiol can interfere with the activity of an enzyme produced by the liver, cytochrome P450, which, among other functions, is responsible for deactivating some medications and toxins. Therefore, CBD may affect the effects of some medications, as well as decrease the liver’s ability to break down and eliminate toxins, which can increase the risk of liver toxicity.
Furthermore, the use of cannabidiol oil is not recommended for pregnant women, those who are planning pregnancy or those who are breastfeeding, because it has been verified that CBD can be found in breast milk, in addition to being transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy.
Bibliography
- BERGAMASCHI, Mateus M.; QUEIROZ, Queen Helena C.; CHAGAS, Marcos H. et al. Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Naı¨ve Social Phobia Patients. Neuropsychopharmacology. Vol 36. 1219–1226, 2011
- Pharmacist Magazine. 2018. Available at: <https://www.crfsp.org.br/images/stories/revista/rf135/rf135.pdf>. Accessed on June 23, 2020
- ANVISA. Technical Note nº 01/2017/GMESP/GGMED/ANVISA – Clarifications regarding the registration of the medication Mevatyl. 2017. Available at: <http://portal.anvisa.gov.br/documents/33836/351923/NT++01+-+2017+-+Mevatyl.pdf/4e02e67a-34b6-48d6-9c34-d0aa4a5dd1fd>. Accessed on June 23, 2020
- SAMANTHA, Debopam. Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Efficacy and Safety in Epilepsy. Pediatr Neurol. 24-29, 2019
- FASINU, Pius S.; PHILLIPS, Sarah; ELSOHLY, Mahmoud; WALKER, Larry A. Current Status and Prospects for CannabidiolPreparations as New Therapeutic Agents. Pharmacotherapy. Vol 36. 7 ed; 781-796, 2016
- SHANNON, Scott; OPILA-LEHMAN, Janet. Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. The Permanente Journal. Vol 20. 4 ed; 108-111, 2016
- VANDOLAH, Harrison J.; BAUER, Brent A.; MAUCK, Karen F. Clinicians’ Guide to Cannabidiol and Hemp Oils. . . . Mayo Clin Proc. Vol 94. 9 ed; 1840-1851,
- WOLFF, Djoeke; REIJNEVELD, Sijmen A. Use of Cannabidiol Oil in Children. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2019
- NAZARENE, Christine. Medical Cannabis Handbook for Healthcare Professionals. Springer Publishing Company, 2019. 79-81.