Cannabidiol is one of about 400 substances present in the composition of cannabis. It belongs to the group of cannabinoids, elements produced by organisms from both mammals (like us humans) and plants.
The substance has properties capable of acting in different ways in the body. The main ones are:
Anticonvulsants: prevents seizures and epileptic seizures
Anti-inflammatory: fights various inflammations
Anxiolytics: treats certain anxiety disorders
Anti-tumor: treats pain, nausea and other symptoms of cancer patients
Antipsychotics: has a sedative effect and acts in the prevention and treatment of psychoses
Neuroprotective: Offers protection to brain and spinal cord cells.
It is these properties that make CBD effective in treating ailments. Some of the diseases that have already been studied and can be proven to be treated with CBD.
Epilepsy
The Effect of Cannabidiol on Drop Seizures in the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome study, published in 2018 in The New England Journal of Medicine, is one of many to suggest the effectiveness of CBD as a treatment for epilepsy.
In total, 226 patients with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (GLS), recognized as a severe pediatric epileptic syndrome, were followed. The results indicated that including CBD along with conventional pharmacological treatment significantly reduces the frequency of seizures in patients.
In 2020, a study by the Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), at USP, carried out in animal models for epilepsy (mice genetically selected to present symptoms), showed that the administration of CBD prevents the progression of the disease.
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
Studies evaluating the impact of CBD in treating schizophrenia are also plentiful. An example is the article The Role of Cannabis within an Emerging Perspective on Schizophrenia, published in 2018, in which researchers at the University of New Mexico, in the United States, reviewed recent studies on the subject. Consequently, they concluded that consumption of phytocannabinoids may be a safe and effective treatment option for schizophrenia, either as a main or adjunctive therapy.
Cancer
CBD relieves symptoms such as pain and nausea, common in cancer patients, including as a side effect of treatments. However, there are studies that go further, as shown in the article Cannabidiol as Potential Anticancer Drug, a review that analyzes scientific evidence that points to the existence of an anticancer potential in CBD, capable of inhibiting the growth and spread of tumors.
Autism
In 2019, Israeli researchers published, in Scientific Reports, the results of six months of clinical follow-up with patients with autism spectrum disorders who received doses of CBD oils.
In the article Real Life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism: Analysis of Safety and Efficacy, scientists report that 30.1% of patients reported significant improvement, and 53.7% saw moderate improvement.
Alzheimer's
The In Vivo Evidence for Therapeutic Properties of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Alzheimer’s Disease review, published by Australian scientists, concluded that CBD has benefits for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Skin diseases
A 2019 study suggests significant improvement in skin parameters from CBD treatment, especially in patients with inflammatory background disorders such as acne.
The list of diseases treatable with CBD is long and includes diabetes, depression, anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia, Parkinson's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, stress, panic attacks and many other ailments. The ideal is to look for a specialized doctor who understands medical cannabis treatment, so that he can prescribe the medication properly.
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