The human body contains a specialised system known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is integral in regulating both physiological and cognitive processes in the human body. The endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating functions such as pain, sleep, appetite, immune responses and mood.

The body produces endocannabinoids which are neurotransmitters which bind to the cannabinoid receptors within the central nervous system. Studies have illustrated that CBD could help to reduce chronic pain by impacting the endocannabinoid receptors activity. This results in a reduction of inflammation and an interaction with neurotransmitters.

A study in rodents discovered that CBD injections decreased the pain response to a surgical incision. Another rodent study found that oral CBD treatment dramatically reduced inflammation and sciatic nerve pain.

There have also been several human studies undertaken that have found a combination of CBD and THC is actually effective in treating pain related to arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

In the UK and in some other countries around the world that have approved an oral spray named Sativex which is a combination of CBD and THC. Sativex is an approved medication to treat pain in patients suffering with multiple sclerosis.

There was a study conducted on 47 people with multiple sclerosis that examined the effects of taking Sativex for a 30-day period. The participants disclosed that they felt improvements in their pain, ability to walk and their muscle spasms. However, the study did not include a placebo control group, meaning that a placebo effect cannot be ruled out.

Following the crisis of the coronavirus and the unhealthy state of the global economy, mental health issues are rising at an unprecedented rate. Modern life is conducive to paranoia and insecurity and more people than ever are being diagnosed with mental health issues such as chronic anxiety and depression.

Both depression and anxiety can have a devasting impact on not only the person suffering but their family too. The World Health Organisation has declared that depression is the biggest contributor to disability throughout the world and anxiety is ranked as the 6th biggest contributor.

Anxiety and depression are often treated with pharmaceutical drugs and anti-psychotic medication. These drugs often have nasty side effects and can have a negative impact over an extended period of time. Side effects can include drowsiness, agitation, sexual dysfunction, headaches and insomnia. There are many medications like benzodiazepines which are highly addictive and can often lead to substance abuse problems.

CBD oil has shown it has massive potential as a treatment for both anxiety and depression, this has meant that many people who suffer from either condition have begun to try CBD oil to see if it works for them. There are countless anecdotal stories about the success many people have had by using CBD. CBD oil is a natural and holistic approach that does not harm the user in the long term, unlike many anti-psychotic medications and pharmaceutical drugs.

A study that took place in Brazil gave 57 male participants either oral CBD or a placebo 90 minutes prior to them undertaking a simulated public speaking test. The researchers found that a 300mg dose of CBD was the most effective at significantly reducing the participants level of anxiety during the test.

The placebo and a 150mg dose of CBD had little effect on reducing the participants level of anxiety.

CBD has also been shown to have safely treated children for insomnia and anxiety in children with post-traumatic stress disorder, more commonly known as PTSD. A reduction in stress and a regular good night’s sleep can have numerous health benefits.

CBD has an innate ability to act on the brain’s serotonin receptors, serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behaviour. Many recreational drugs also create their effect by altering the serotonin that is secreted by the brain.

CBD could be able to help to reduce the impact of symptoms related to cancer and side effects caused by cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Pain, nausea and vomiting are all common side effects of cancer treatments.

There was a study that was undertaken that investigated the effects of CBD and THC on 177 participants with cancer related pain who did not have a positive experience from pain medication. Those given an extract containing both CBD and THC experienced a significant reduction in pain compared to those who received only THC extract, illustrating that CBD has a crucial role to play in treating pain with cannabinoids.

CBD could help to alleviate nausea and vomiting that is induced by chemotherapy. Nausea and vomiting are extremely common side effects of cancer treatment and providing an aid to patients undergoing this gruesome process must be seen as a great help to their mental state when undergoing treatment. There are existing drugs that claim to address these symptoms, but they can be ineffective which is why cannabis-based medicines could be a great alternative.

16 people took part in a study that investigated how a one to one CBD to THC combination administered via a mouth spray could reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. The study concluded that the CBD and THC combination reduced the chemotherapy related symptoms.

CBD has illustrated that it can help to reduce the symptoms related to cancer treatment and may even be able to fight the cancer too. However, more research needs to be carried out to assess its efficacy and the safety of CBD.

More than 9% of the population suffer with acne. Acne is thought to be caused by a number of factors including genetics, underlying inflammation, over production of sebum and bacteria. Sebum is an oily secretion made by the skin via the sebaceous glands.

Studies have suggested that CBD oil could help to treat acne because of its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to decrease sebum production. One study uncovered that CBD oil prevented the sebaceous gland cells from secreting too much sebum and exerted anti-inflammatory actions that prevented the activation of acne agents such as inflammatory cytokines.

Another study found that due to the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil, treating acne using CBD oil could be an efficient and safe option.

Scientists have suggested that CBD’s ability to interact with the endocannabinoid system and other neuro signalling systems could provide benefits to those who suffer from a neurological disorder.

One of the most studied benefits of CBD oil is for treating neurological disorders like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. While there is still a tremendous amount of research that needs to be conducted, there have been several studies with very promising results.

Sativex, which is an oral spray that combines CBD and THC, has been approved as a safe and effective prescription to reduce muscle spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis. A study that was undertaken into Sativex found that Sativex decreased muscle spasms in 75% of the 276 participants in the study who had multiple sclerosis and were struggling with muscle spasticity that was resistant to existing treatments.

Another study that was carried out discovered that when compared with a placebo, CBD oil dramatically reduced seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome which is a complex form of childhood epilepsy. However, there were some that partook in the study who experienced adverse side effects from the treatment, with some participants reporting convulsions, fatigue and a fever.

There are other neurological diseases that CBD oil may be able to treat. Two studies showed that using CBD oil as a treatment improved the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease, CBD oil was also found to improve the quality of sleep for people who used it.

While the amount of research is still limited, initial studies do suggest that CBD can ease symptoms related to epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.

There has been recent research that has associated CBD with effects that optimise the heart and circulatory system, one crucial prospective benefit is the ability to lower high blood pressure. High blood pressure is linked to increasing the risk of many health conditions such as suffering a stroke, a heart attack and causing metabolic syndrome. Initial studies suggest that CBD could help those who have high blood pressure.

A recent study gave 600mg of CBD oil to 9 healthy male adults. The study found that the CBD oil helped to reduce blood pressure compared to a placebo. Within the study the participants were also given stress tests that normally increase blood pressure, a single dose of CBD oil led the men to have their blood pressure increase by a smaller amount than normal in response to the stress test.

Scientists have also suggested that CBD oil’s stress and anxiety reducing effects are what enable CBD oil to help to lower blood pressure. 

CBD and THC are both being examined to see what other prospective health benefits they may contain. The quantum nature of cannabis means that it will take decades of research to unlock the full capability of the plant. Other prospective benefits could include;

Substance Abuse Treatment – CBD has proved that it can modify circuits in the brain related to drug addiction. CBD oil has been shown the decrease the morphine dependence and heroin seeking behaviour in rodents.

Anti-Tumour Effects – In animal studies, CBD has demonstrated that may have anti-tumour effects. CBD oil has also been shown to prevent the spread of breast, brain and lung cancer in animals.

Diabetes Prevention – A study conducted with diabetic mice found that CBD reduced the incidence of diabetes by 56% and dramatically reduced inflammation.