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Cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD oil, is a substance obtained from the plant Cannabis sativa, known as marijuana, which is able to relieve anxiety symptoms, help treat insomnia and have benefits in the treatment of epilepsy.
Unlike other marijuana-based drugs, cannabidiol oil lacks THC, which is the substance of marijuana 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 marijuana.
However, further studies are needed to clarify the benefits of CBD oil in each problem, as well as the most suitable concentration.
How Cannabidiol Oil Works
The action of cannabidiol oil is mainly 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 lymphoid organs, which is 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 in the process of releasing cytokines by the cells of the immune system, which helps to reduce pain and inflammation.
Possible health benefits
Due to the way CBD oil acts in the body, its use can bring some health benefits and 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 cannabidiol receptors;
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: a study carried out with people diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder found that the use of cannabidiol caused an improvement in the symptoms of anxiety and cognitive impairment, compared with the group treated with placebo, in which worsening of symptoms was observed ;
- Insomnia: by acting on neuronal regulation and release of neurotransmitters, cannabidiol oil can 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 study with rats indicated that cannabidiol was effective in relieving inflammation-related pain, as it appears to interact with receptors related to the sensation of pain.
Check out the benefits of cannabidiol in the following video:
Despite the indications, mechanism of action, properties and absence of THC concentrations, which could make cannabidiol oil more accepted in the medical and scientific community, the long-term effects of using this oil have not yet been verified, and are Further studies are needed to help prove the effects of CBD oil in more people.
In 2018, the Food Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of a drug, Epidiolex, which consists only of cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy, however ANVISA has so far not positioned itself in relation to the sale of the drug in Brazil.
To date, ANVISA has authorized the marketing of Mevatyl, which is a drug based on cannabidiol and THC indicated mainly to treat involuntary muscle contractions that occur in multiple sclerosis and whose use should be indicated by the doctor. See more about Metavyl and its indications.
Possible side effects
Some studies have found that the side effects of cannabidiol oil are related to the improper use of the product, mainly without having been indicated by a doctor or in increased concentrations, being tired and excessive sleep, diarrhea, changes in appetite and weight, irritability, diarrhea, vomiting and breathing problems. In addition, it has been found that doses in children above 200 mg of cannabidiol can worsen anxiety-related symptoms, in addition to promoting increased heart rhythms and mood swings.
It was also found that cannabidiol can interfere with the activity of an enzyme produced by the liver, cytochrome P450, which, among other functions, is responsible for the deactivation of 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 can increase the risk of liver toxicity.
In addition, the use of cannabidiol oil is not indicated for pregnant women, who are planning pregnancy or who are breastfeeding, because it was found that CBD can be found in breast milk, in addition to being able to be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy.