The Therapeutic Potentials of Cannabis and Cannabinoids
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the hemp plant (and more cannabinoids are being discovered everyday!). The plant has always been used by people because it’s said to have a wide range of effects on various ailments. But what’s behind it?
More and more studies are dealing with the effectiveness of the ingredients of the hemp plant to find well-founded answers to these questions. The development of modern, side-effect-free alternatives to conventional drugs is of great importance for research. Cannabidiol seems to have great potential as a non-intoxicating ingredient in the hemp plant, and numerous countries have already approved medicinal products based on CBD for therapeutic purposes. For example, in the USA, the drug Epidiolex, which is similar in composition to our full-spectrum CBD oil products online in Australia, has been used to treat epilepsy since 2018.
This article gives you an overview of the current state of knowledge on the therapeutic benefits and the diverse uses of cannabidiol.
CBD in Medicine
The results of various studies on the effects of cannabis and cannabinoids significantly increased the recognition of the therapeutic potential of cannabis products. Drugs based on cannabis, such as dronabinol, nabilone, nabiximols, or epidiolex, have been approved in many countries.
Epidiolex is extracted from the cannabis plant and contains only the active ingredient cannabidiol (CBD). The drug received FDA approval in the US in 2018 to treat two rare, severe forms of epilepsy – Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome – in patients over the age of two. “This approval is an important signal that robust research programs that appropriately utilize the compounds found in marijuana can lead to valuable medical therapies.” said an FDA spokesman. Drugs approved by the FDA go through a rigorous process of thorough scientific research and clinical trials to test and ensure a drug’s safety and effectiveness.
The EMA (European Medicines Agency) has already granted cannabidiol orphan drug status (medicines for special conditions) in several indications. This applies to the FDA-approved indications and West syndrome, another severe form of epilepsy. Other diseases were also included, such as tuberous sclerosis, perinatal asphyxia, and graft-versus-host syndrome.
CBD in Science
Since 1975, more than 100 controlled clinical trials have been conducted with cannabinoids or whole plant preparations for various indications. The clinical studies that have existed to date have dealt with basic research. In addition, the supportive use of CBD for stress, anxiety and panic, depression, sleep disorders, negative sensory perceptions, neurodegenerative disorders, and withdrawal (e.g., from nicotine) was examined. (We’ve covered many of these topics on our blog such as CBD for Depression and CBD and Quitting Smoking). Potentially complementary therapeutic benefits of CBD for a variety of ailments have been found. Unfortunately, however, there’s often a lack of conclusive studies that definitively prove and quantify the presence and strength of the respective effect on various symptoms and complaints.
The History of CBD for Therapeutic Uses
Although the clinical research is relatively new, cannabis has actually been used medicinally by different cultures and peoples for thousands of years. (Check our article about the discovery of Marijuana). In Europe, the plant was considered a proven medicinal treatment for pain, spasms, asthma, sleep disorders, depression, and loss of appetite up to the end of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, however, natural products increasingly disappeared from the market and were replaced by synthetically produced medicines. Cannabis was increasingly pushed aside by the introduction of opiates and aspirin chloral hydrate. Finally, in the mid-20th century, cannabis was finally banned due to the psychoactive ingredient THC, which at the time couldn’t be isolated.
It wasn’t until 1964 that scientists Yehiel Gaoini and Raphael Mechoulam succeeded in isolating cannabinoids. This was followed by the groundbreaking discovery of the body’s cannabinoid receptor system. The complex Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is part of the nervous system and helps regulate various processes in the body (Read more about ECS here). This started intensive research into the clinical importance of cannabis-based medicines. Since then, the use of CBD oil for pain has increased significantly and has experienced a real boom in recent years.
Final Thoughts
In contrast to many other natural products, the effects of CBD are well documented. Numerous small but controlled studies have now proven that cannabidiol can have a therapeutic benefit in various diseases. Countless consumers are already reporting the comprehensive, positive effects of cannabidiol on various complaints. Of course, you should consult your healthcare provider before trying CBD products.
Buying CBD oil online in Australia has never been easier. Our CBD oil products online in Australia are 100% pure and natural. We work with developers, biomedical scientists, and experienced suppliers to create the best products for you from high-quality active ingredients. Our CBD oil products online in Australia are non-intoxicating. All our products are tested by independent laboratories to ensure their safety and quality. Take a look at their reports here.
Our premium CBD products and hemp oils sold online in Australia help many customers to counteract stress and pain in the long term. If you’ve any questions, feel free to drop a comment or contact us. We’re here for you!