Cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD oil, is a substance obtained from the hemp sativa plant, known as hemp, that is able to relieve anxiety symptoms, help treat insomnia, and have benefits in treating epilepsy.
Unlike other hemp-based drugs, cannabidiol oil does not have THC, which is the substance in hemp responsible for psychotropic effects such as loss of consciousness and distortions in time and space, for example. Therefore, cannabidiol oil is more likely to be used in clinical practice. Learn about other effects of hemp.
However, more studies are still needed to clarify the benefits of CBD oil for each problem, as well as the most suitable concentration.
Possible health benefits
Because of the way CBD oil acts in the body, its use may have some health benefits, and may even be considered in the treatment of some diseases:
- Epilepsy: some studies have shown that cannabidiol oil is able to decrease 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 conducted 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 placebo group, in which a worsening of symptoms was observed;
- Insomnia: by acting on neuronal regulation and neurotransmitter release, cannabidiol oil may 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 rat study indicated that cannabidiol was effective in relieving pain related to inflammation, as it appears to interact with receptors related to pain sensation.
Check out the benefits of cannabidiol, in the following video:
How cannabidiol oil works
The action of cannabidiol oil is primarily 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 the lymphoid organs, which are 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, as well as regulating pain perception, memory, coordination, and cognitive ability. By acting on the CB2 receptor, cannabidiol helps the process of cytokine release by immune system cells, which helps decrease pain and inflammation.
Possible Side Effects
Some studies have found that the side effects of cannabidiol oil are related to misuse of the product, especially without being indicated by a doctor or in increased concentrations, with fatigue and excessive sleep, diarrhea, changes in appetite and weight, irritability, diarrhea, vomiting, and breathing problems being seen. In addition, it has been found that doses in children above 200 mg of cannabidiol can worsen anxiety-related symptoms, as well as promote increased heart rhythms and mood swings.
It has also been verified 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 drugs and toxins. Thus, CBD may affect the effects of some drugs, as well as decrease the liver’s ability to break down and eliminate toxins, which may increase the risk of liver toxicity.
In addition, the use of cannabidiol oil is not recommended for women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, because it has been found that CBD can be found in breast milk and can be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy. Find more tips here and info on the effects of CBD.
