The following article is an excerpt from Module 3—Lesson 5 of the Higher Learning LV course Cannabis Foundation.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, was discovered in 1940 by U.S. chemist Roger Adams. Adams, the foremost expert on cannabinoids at the time, obtained a patent in 1941 for a method of mechanized extraction of laboratory-grade CBD.
Copyright © Higher Learning LV™
This phytocannabinoid has been shown to be an effective therapy in the treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions, especially those involving anxiety (such as PTSD). It also provides significant anticonvulsant properties, making it of value to epilepsy patients. It has also demonstrated efficacy for autism and related conditions.
CBD Research Studies
A 2019 study (literature review) entitled "Use of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Efficacy and Security in Clinical Trials" that was published in the journal Molecules explored the ability of CBD to reduce the frequency and severity of seizure activity in epilepsy patients, especially those suffering treatment-resistant varieties for which conventional drugs and therapies have proven ineffective.
The CBD molecule
The study noted the overall benefits of CBD as "antiseizure, antipsychotic, neuroprotective, antidepressant, and anxiolytic." It explained that the neuroprotective qualities of the molecule may be linked to "its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties."
The study's authors concluded that previous studies on the topic indicate that "the use of CBD in clinical applications could represent hope for patients who are resistant to conventional antiepileptic drugs."
The study's authors concluded that previous studies on the topic indicate that "the use of CBD in clinical applications could represent hope for patients who are resistant to conventional antiepileptic drugs."
A 2019 study entitled "Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series" that was published in The Permanente Journal examined "whether CBD helps improve sleep and/or anxiety in a clinical population." The study involved 72 human subjects, all of whom suffered either "primary concerns of anxiety" or "poor sleep."
After one month of treatment with CBD, almost 80 percent of anxiety patients and 67 percent of sleep participants had experienced "an improvement." After three months of treatment, the study revealed that participants suffering anxiety gained greater and more sustained relief than those involved due to a sleep disorder.
The study echoed the safety profile findings and lack of negative side effects reported by other CBD studies. "We saw no evidence of a safety issue that would limit future studies,"reported the scientists.
Like what you just read? Check out our new Cannabis for Cancer Hub that features links to all of our articles about marijuana for cancer.