The legal status of CBD in our country is currently evolving. Paradoxically, in fact, the compound is not specifically regulated, even if it is considered a controlled substance. Although some parties have recommended avoiding the sale of CBD products and other marijuana-based products like Delta 8 gummies, it is good to know that their legal status has not yet been precisely established.
In the future it is possible that cannabidiol will be classified as a medical device, a similar decision would subject it to stricter regulations, at the same time making it available as a specific treatment for some conditions.
But what are the benefits of CBD? And how is it used? Given the recent interest in the best CBD products online, in this article we will try to clarify based on some studies that can help us understand how things actually are.
The benefits of CBD and its different uses
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in the resinous flowers of cannabis, a plant with a rich history as a medicine that goes back a long time. Today its therapeutic potential has been put to the test several times and, information not least, it would seem to have been confirmed by numerous studies conducted by scientists and doctors from all over the world.
It is a substance considered safe and non-addictive, belonging to a group of over a hundred ‘phytocannabinoids’ that give cannabis its robust therapeutic profile.
By its nature, CBD is related to another important cannabinoid called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound that causes the narcotic effects of smoking marijuana. Unlike the second, however, CBD cannabidiol does not have doping properties.
It should also be emphasized that it is not actually psychoactive since it does not act on the same receptors as THC. These are indicated by the abbreviation CB1, are concentrated in the central nervous system and are responsible for the psychedelic effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.
A growing body of scientific evidence has shown that CBD has a wide range of potentially therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-anxiety and anti-seizure properties.
Some studies on the benefits of CBD
CBD is also being studied for its potential role in treating particular neurological disorders. The medical benefits appear to be plentiful, and scholars are just beginning to exploit its full potential. A 2012 study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology showed that CBD protects against vascular damage caused by high glucose concentrations, such as in the case of diabetes.
Another research from 2013, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, showed that CBD may even have effects against cancer. On that occasion, scholars discovered that cannabidiol was able to ‘switch off’ the genes that cause cancer cells to spread throughout the body. In a 2014 review of all available studies, scientists concluded that CBD is ‘an important non-psychoactive constituent of cannabis and has several pharmacological actions, including anxiolytic, antipsychotic, anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory properties’. A 2015 review then found that ‘there is converging evidence that CBD possesses anxiolytic properties’.
One from 2016 would even seem to show that ‘CBD may hold promise for the treatment of REM sleep disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson’s disease.’ A further review in 2017 found that ‘CBD is generally well tolerated and has a good safety profile’.
Finally, according to a further review in 2018, ‘CBD has shown promise as a treatment for psychosis’. In summary, our evidence suggests that cannabidiol possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antipsychotic and sleep-promoting properties. It should be noted that although it is generally considered safe, some people may experience side effects, such as fatigue, diarrhea, or changes in appetite.