CBD seems to be everywhere these days! Products and companies are claiming effects ranging from the benign to miraculous. It can be hard to determine which of these claims are true and which are downright fabrications. It is important to do your own research when taking anything that can affect your body and health. Here are some CBD studies to help you get started on educating yourself on the effects of CBD today.
So what does the evidence say about cannabidiol - CBD effects
Cannabidiol CBD studies and Epilepsy
CBD research is most advanced in regards to the treatment of epilepsy. In clinical trials, CBD has been shown to be an effective treatment for at least some forms of epilepsy. It is important to note that in all these studies, cannabidiol dosage was in addition to standard antiepileptic treatments. You can read more about the studies here in a CANNABIDIOL (CBD) Pre-Review Report for the World Health Organization.
Cannabidiol CBD studies in the treatment of anxiety and anxiety-related disorders
Research is ongoing in using CBD to treat anxiety and related disorders. Early findings consistently point to improved clinical outcomes in anxiety disorders without the adverse effects of commonly prescribed treatments. This is due to how CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid system rather than attempting to modulate the activity of DA, NE, GABA, and 5-HT neurotransmitters. Further study into standardized dosage and route of administration are needed but overall evidence is promising. A good resource discussing these studies from the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association can be read here.
Cannabidiol CBD studies and sleep
Research into the effects of cannabinoids on sleep is in its infancy, with the popularity and availability of CBD products research should advance rapidly. Preliminary studies of cannabis and insomnia suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia. CBD may also hold promise for treating REM sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness (read more here).This study on Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep (here) found that CBD triggered a more sustained response to anxiety than sleep over time. Results showed that participants found the greatest benefit from a decrease in anxiety; however, sleep scores did demonstrate a mild improvement showing potential for the use of CBD to aid sleep. New studies like this should help create a clearer picture of how CBD can benefit sleep in the future.
Cannabidiol CBD studies and chronic/difficult to treat pain
Studies into CBD usage for the treatment of chronic pain have been ongoing since the early 2000s. Clinical trials suggest that CBD Cannabidiol can significantly reduce pain, but the beneficial effects are context dependent. Two new studies of generalized chronic pain published in 2020 indicated that CBD treatment did not significantly reduce measures of pain, however there was consistent improvement in patient-reported quality of life and quality of sleep (read more about these studies here).
The mechanics behind CBDs as an analgesic have not been well studied in humans. Currently only preclinical studies that rely on rodents and in vitro models to explore the effects are available. Evidence from these studies strongly supports that prolonged treatment with CBD alleviates certain types of chronic pain, the mechanics of which are discussed here. The ongoing preclinical work to demystify the mechanisms of CBD surrounding chronic pain treatment is flourishing, but much remains to be discovered about the mechanisms at play.
Yes CBD many CBD studies exist today. The most prevalent research is into CBDs use in the treatment of: Epilepsy, anxiety, sleep disorders, and difficult to treat/chronic pain.
CBD is commonly used as a treatment aid, in addition to standard antiepileptics, for many patients who suffer from Epilepsy. It also shows promise in addressing anxiety disorders, without the adverse effects of commonly prescribed treatments. Early studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep. Finally CBD shows promise as a treatment option for certain types of chronic pain.
Research points to CBD oil being useful in the treatment of Epilepsy, Anxiety Disorders, Insomnia and REM sleep behavior disorder, as well as certain types of chronic pain. Research into many of these applications is ongoing with more studies needed to establish more standardized treatment approaches.
For best results CBD should be taken daily in a consistent schedule. Overdose is not a concern for CBD as it is lipophilic (or fat soluble), which means it compounds in your body over time (this can even add to potential health benefits). You should always consult with your doctor before adding CBD to your daily routine to ensure it is safe to take with any prescriptions.
Try CBD Today
Ready to try CBD for yourself? Head over to our shop here for fresh CBD hemp products grown right on our family farm!