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The UK CBD market could explode from $289.2 Mn in 2022 to $1377.6 Mn by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 21.55%. This massive growth makes people ask what CBD actually does. CBD stands as the second most active ingredient in cannabis and has got most important attention from consumers and medical professionals.
CBD from hemp plants doesn’t get you high, even though it comes from cannabis. The World Health Organisation confirms CBD shows no signs of addiction or dependency. We have a long way to go, but we can build on this progress. CBD already made history with Epidiolex, the first FDA- approved cannabis-derived medicine that treats specific types of childhood epilepsy. A complete review from the University of Bath suggests CBD might be nowhere near as good at pain relief as people originally thought.
Learning how CBD works in your body starts with understanding a remarkable system it works with – the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This master system helps balance many body functions, from sleep and mood to immune responses and pain perception.
The ECS has three main components:
Your brain has many CB1 receptors, especially in areas that control memory, mood, and motor function [1]. The CB2 receptors are mostly found in immune cells and peripheral tissues, where they play vital roles in managing inflammation and immune responses [2].
CBD’s interaction with the body works differently than scientists first thought. Unlike other compounds, CBD doesn’t bind directly to CB1 or CB2 receptors. It works by stopping your body’s natural endocannabinoids from breaking down, which lets them work longer [3].
CBD also works with other important receptors that influence different pathways in your body. It connects with serotonin receptors that affect mood and anxiety, and TRPV channels that help control pain and inflammation [3].
CBD and THC have similar molecular structures – both contain 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms [1]. Yet their effects on your body are substantially different:
| Aspect | CBD | THC |
| Psychoactive Effects | No | Yes |
| Pain Relief | Yes | Yes |
| Anxiety Relief | Yes | May increase |
| Seizure Reduction | Yes | No |
| Side Effects | Minimal | More pronounced |
The biggest difference lies in how these compounds work with brain receptors. THC binds directly to CB1 receptors and creates psychoactive effects, while CBD changes receptor activity without causing intoxication [1]. CBD can even help reduce some of THC’s unwanted effects, especially anxiety and psychosis [3].
CBD’s impact goes beyond the traditional cannabinoid system and affects multiple cellular pathways at once. This broad-spectrum activity explains why scientists are studying its potential in various treatments [3].
Scientists keep discovering new ways CBD works in our bodies. Studies reveal several promising benefits with clinical evidence to back them up. Note that these benefits show different levels of effectiveness for various conditions.
Harvard Medical School research shows CBD might help control pain of various types [4]. CBD works best to treat chronic pain conditions through its anti-inflammatory properties. The journal Cureus published a systematic review that found CBD reduced pain and inflammation in arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain [4].
Recent clinical trials have highlighted topical CBD’s potential. Patients with symptomatic neuropathy participated in a 4-week study. The results showed topical CBD treatment reduced intense pain, sharp pain, and cold sensations more effectively than placebo [5].
CBD affects mental health with varying degrees of success:
| Condition | Research Findings | Study Details |
| Anxiety | Significant reduction in anxiety symptoms | 66.7% reported improved symptoms at first follow-up [6] |
| Social Anxiety | Decreased anxiety during public speaking | 300mg dose showed optimal results [7] |
| Depression | Potential benefits through serotonin regulation | Limited human trials available [6] |
CBD’s influence on sleep depends on the dose, according to clinical studies. Research revealed that 160mg of CBD helped people sleep longer [8]. Sleep benefits include:
Increased sleep satisfaction in specific patient groups [5]
Reduced frequency of nightly awakenings [9]
Improved sleep quality in 66.7% of participants during original treatment [9]
Without doubt, we need more research to understand CBD’s long-term effects fully. A follow-up study revealed mixed results – 56.1% of participants reported better sleep with continued use, while 26.8% said their sleep got worse [10]. These findings suggest that individual responses can vary quite a bit.
Safety studies have recently raised crucial questions about CBD’s risk profile. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has cut down the recommended daily CBD intake drastically – from 70mg to just 10mg for a 70kg adult. This change came after health concerns emerged [11].
Clinical trials have spotted several side effects that users need to know about:
| Side Effect Category | Common Symptoms |
| Neurological | Drowsiness, fatigue, lightheadedness |
| Digestive | Diarrhoea, decreased appetite, nausea |
| Metabolic | Liver enzyme elevation, thyroid issues |
Research shows that CBD affects 55.7% of users, and 7.7% face serious reactions [12]. Liver function tests paint a worrying picture – 16.1% of users show higher enzyme levels [12].
CBD’s effect on medications stands out as a major safety concern. Scientists have found 610 drugs that mix with CBD. These include 19 major, 538 moderate, and 53 minor interactions [13].
The most critical interactions occur with:
People taking medicines with a “grapefruit warning” should be extra careful. CBD affects the same liver enzymes that process these drugs [15].
All the same, we lack enough data about long-term safety. The FSA warns that using CBD throughout life might boost risks of liver damage and thyroid problems [11]. Some groups face bigger risks than others.
Pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and children should stay away from CBD products until research proves they’re safe [11]. People with liver disease might need smaller doses since the liver handles most CBD processing [16].
Studies show that 8.9% of people stop using CBD because of adverse effects [12]. Product quality adds another layer of concern – a newer study of 84 CBD products found that more than 25% had less CBD than their labels claimed [17].
Scientists are making breakthrough discoveries about CBD’s effects on the human brain through brain imaging studies. Advanced techniques like MRI and PET scans reveal that CBD reduces resting-state activity in several brain regions [18].
Brain imaging studies show how CBD affects key neural regions:
| Brain Region | Observed Effect |
| Amygdala | Reduced activity during fear response [18] |
| Prefrontal Cortex | Enhanced connectivity [18] |
| Posterior Insula | Decreased activity during inhibition [18] |
| Cerebellum | Attenuated bilateral activity [18] |
Scientists have discovered CBD’s interaction with multiple cellular pathways. This suggests it could have broader therapeutic uses beyond its known applications [19]. CBD’s ability to change brain activity has sparked research into its potential use for various neurological conditions [19].
Clinical trials provide strong evidence for CBD’s therapeutic benefits. A randomised trial with 120 healthcare professionals showed promising results. Participants received CBD treatment (300mg daily) and showed notable improvements in emotional exhaustion scores. The improvements were 4.14 points at day 14, 4.34 points at day 21, and 4.01 points at day 28 [20].
The strongest clinical evidence supports CBD’s effectiveness in treating:
Scientists still need to fill several critical knowledge gaps [23]. The National Institutes of Health has dedicated £88.3 million to cannabinoid research. NIDA manages 59.3% (£52.4 million) of this funding [23]. Only 16.5% (£8.6 million) of NIDA’s cannabinoid research budget goes toward studying therapeutic properties [23].
Research priorities include:
The European Food Safety Authority has found many knowledge gaps that need attention before making final conclusions about CBD’s safety [24]. Scientists must better understand CBD’s effects on the liver, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, and psychological function [24].
CBD has revolutionised the medical world since the first CBD-based medications received approval. Today’s healthcare providers can access several FDA-approved CBD treatments. This shows a radical alteration in how doctors approach cannabinoid therapy.
The FDA has approved specific CBD-based medications to treat various conditions. Epidiolex leads the way as the first cannabis-derived drug with FDA approval. It contains a purified form of CBD [1] and treats seizures linked to:
Sativex, which combines CBD and THC, has also gained approval. The NHS licences this treatment to help people with MS who experience muscle stiffness and spasms [1].
Scientists have discovered CBD’s therapeutic benefits reach beyond epilepsy. A complete WHO report highlights several conditions where CBD shows promise [1]:
| Condition Category | Specific Applications |
| Neurological | Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis |
| Mental Health | Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia |
| Chronic Conditions | Cancer-related symptoms, Alzheimer’s disease |
The NHS prescribes medical cannabis in three main cases [27]:
Each condition needs different dosages based on individual factors. Clinical studies have proven these dosing protocols:
Epidiolex treatment for epilepsy follows this progression [4]:
Research on anxiety-related conditions suggests [28]:
Clinical research reveals these condition-specific dosages [4]:
Doctors recommend starting with lower doses and gradually increasing them based on how patients respond [29]. This approach works best:
The FDA maintains its steadfast dedication to science-based CBD research [26]. This support will ensure future therapeutic uses have reliable clinical evidence and might expand approved medical applications.
The latest research shows CBD use comes with risks that need proper safety measures. The Food Standards Agency has updated their guidance that suggests healthy adults should limit CBD to 10mg per day – about 4-5 drops of 5% CBD oil [2].
CBD poses higher risks to certain groups of people who need extra caution. Medical experts say these specific groups should stay away from CBD:
| Risk Group | Reason for Caution |
| Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women | Unknown effects on foetal development |
| Children under 18 | Except for specific medical conditions |
| People with Liver Disease | Risk of liver damage |
| Those Taking Medications | Potential dangerous interactions |
| Adults over 55 | Higher risk of side effects |
People with liver problems need special attention since studies show CBD can damage the liver or make existing conditions worse [14]. Research indicates even healthy people might see liver enzyme abnormalities if they take high CBD doses [3].
You should follow these safety steps when using CBD products:
1) Quality Verification:
The FDA doesn’t regulate CBD product safety and purity [3]. This lack of oversight means you can’t always be sure about what’s in your product or if the dosage is accurate [30].
Your risk of side effects goes up with higher doses and more frequent CBD use [31]. Long-term CBD use might lead to:
You need to talk to a healthcare provider in several cases. Schedule an appointment if you:
1) Take prescription medications, as CBD can interact with:
2) Notice side effects like:
CBD can compete with liver enzymes that break down various medications, which might lead to dangerous drug levels in your blood [3]. This interaction especially affects medications that come with a “grapefruit warning” [33].
You should keep your healthcare providers informed if you decide to try CBD. Pharmacists can help you understand how CBD might interact with your supplements, herbal products, or medications [14]. You need regular monitoring because some side effects develop slowly without obvious symptoms [3].
New research keeps updating CBD’s safety profile. Studies show that while CBD helps with various conditions, its effects vary a lot between people [34]. You might need regular liver enzyme checks if you take CBD often, as research shows potential liver stress even at normal doses [3].
CBD research keeps evolving and shows promising benefits along with safety aspects to think over. Scientific evidence backs CBD’s ability to work against specific conditions, especially epilepsy syndromes and certain types of chronic pain. In spite of that, recent safety studies have led regulatory bodies to suggest lower daily doses. This highlights why people need to be careful before they start using it.
Healthcare providers stress that proper dosing and careful monitoring make all the difference with CBD products. Patients must talk to their doctors before starting CBD treatment. This becomes even more crucial for people who take prescription medications or fall into high-risk groups.
Scientists still need to fill many gaps about CBD’s long-term effects and best therapeutic uses. People should keep their expectations realistic about CBD’s benefits while staying up to date with new research. This helps ensure safe and effective use. Without doubt, CBD’s role in medicine will grow as researchers learn more about how it works and affects human health.
Q1. What are the main benefits of CBD?
CBD has shown potential benefits for managing pain and inflammation, reducing anxiety, improving sleep quality, and treating certain forms of epilepsy. However, its effectiveness can vary depending on the condition and individual.
Q2. Is CBD safe to use?
While generally considered safe, CBD can cause side effects like drowsiness, digestive issues, and changes in appetite. It may also interact with certain medications. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking other medications.
Q3. How does CBD differ from THC?
Unlike THC, CBD does not produce psychoactive effects or a “high”. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system differently, potentially offering therapeutic benefits without intoxication. However, both compounds can have pain- relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
Q4. What is the recommended dosage for CBD?
Dosage recommendations vary based on the condition being treated and individual factors. Generally, it’s advised to start with a low dose (20-40 mg daily) and gradually increase as needed. For specific conditions like epilepsy, higher doses may be prescribed under medical supervision.
Q5. Can CBD interact with other medications?
Yes, CBD can interact with various medications, particularly those that carry a “grapefruit warning”. It may affect how the body metabolises certain drugs, potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing side effects. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining CBD with other medications.
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