evidence that cbd works?!
If you’ve heard about all the potential benefits of CBD, then you may be searching for evidence of it actually working rather than just taking peoples word for it. Luckily for you, I have compiled and summarized a few studies to make this a lot easier.
A 2018 CBD report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) not only declared that CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential, but also outlined evidence that CBD may be useful for a number of medical conditions. It was revealed that in several clinical trials, CBD has been demonstrated as an effective treatment for at least some forms of epilepsy. One pure CBD product, Epidiolex, that you may be aware of, was approved by the FDA in 2018 for the treatment of seizures associated with two epilepsy syndromes (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. WHO also points out that there is unsanctioned medical use of CBD based products with oils, supplements, gums, and high concentration extracts available for the treatment of many ailments such as, anxiety, arthritis, pain, PTSD and skin conditions. However, I must point out that for most indications there is a combination of pre-clinical and limited clinical evidence that is less advanced than for treatment in epilepsy. The range of conditions for which CBD has been assessed is diverse, consistent with its neuroprotective, antiepileptic, hypoxia-ischemia, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, and antitumor properties.
Another report available by Harvard Health Publishing states that for those who suffer through the misery of insomnia, studies do in fact suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep. Explaining why CBD is commonly used to address both anxiety and an interrupted sleep cycle. As well as this, the report explores the claims that CBD may offer an option for treating different types of chronic pain. A study from the European Journal of Pain was referred to that explored the ability CBD has when applied on the skin (an animal model was used) to lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Another study that demonstrated the mechanism by which CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain was also referred to as evidence for CBD being able to treat two difficult types of chronic pain. However, again, it was outlined that further study in humans is necessary in this area to substantiate the claims.
As you have been made aware by just these few studies, the evidence for CBD potentially treating a vast array of ailments is promising and quickly advancing. CBD in various forms has been used for centuries to treat conditions ranging from asthma, anxiety and even labour pain! Unfortunately a politically and financially motivated campaign against hemp and cannabis meant its medicinal value was ignored for many years and it was labelled a ‘dangerous gateway drug’. Silly, right?. You can discover more on this in our other articles about the history of cbd that prove an interesting read. Fortunately, medical cannabis was again made legal in the UK as of 2018, research papers are catching up and as the evidence piles up more people will be helped. Watch this space.
