CBD 101

Humanity has barely scratched the surface of the ECS. Research has shown in practice that certain receptors and cannabinoids can alter a range of sensations, both physical and mental, but the exact mechanisms and scopes of the ECS’s regulatory power over the body is still a mystery. 

One of the main reasons the medical community and regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, are so conservative in their recommendations and approval of CBD-derived medications and treatments is our very incomplete understanding of the ECS. 

Endocannabinoids attach to receptors. The two primary ECS receptors are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are primarily located throughout the central nervous system and CB2 receptors are primarily located in the peripheral nervous system. 

Endocannabinoids, like CBD, can bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. 

Once the endocannabinoids have been used up, fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol acid lipase enzymes break them down. 

The human body makes some of its own cannabinoids, primarily anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglyerl (2-AG). These endocannabinoids help regulate a variety of bodily processes and are produced as needed. 

Is it possible to treat chronic pain, joint inflammation, insomnia, dementia, impotence, anxiety and depression by developing medications that deliver the right combination and concentrations of cannabinoids to the ECS system? Potentially, but a lot of research still needs to happen before those miracle drugs are developed. 

One thing is for sure – one of the cannabinoids that shows a lot of promise and many people are already using to treat those ailments is CBD. 

The effectiveness of CBD as a treatment for ailments falls into several categories from a medical standpoint: highly likely, suspected and anecdotal. 

Only one CBD-based treatment has received official FDA approval so far, and that was only after extensive studies and clinical trials. That being said, studies into CBD’s effects on other ailments is ongoing, and many people already use CBD products to alleviate symptoms from a variety of illnesses. 

Although there are dozens of ongoing clinical trials and hundreds of recent studies concluded, most of the evidence regarding CBD’s effectiveness is anecdotal in nature. Many users swear CBD is helping them live happier, healthier lives, but science is still investigating to verify.

Some of the conditions and symptoms people use CBD to alleviate and medical researchers are currently investigating include: 

For example, a 2014 animal study recorded promising anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects of CBD on ECS receptors. A 2018 review of existing studies concluded there were indeed anti-stress effects associated with CBD. These effects can be beneficial for people who struggle with anxiety and depression. However, to assert with certainty that CBD is an effective, comprehensive treatment for anxiety would be an overstatement. 

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s position is there is insufficient evidence to justify prescribing CBD as a treatment, but they admit the lack of verifiable controlled trial results doesn’t mean CBD doesn’t help.  

Similar advocacy organizations for a plethora of conditions assert similar positions – more research needs to be done but the research we do have seems to suggest CBD can help alleviate symptoms, even if it’s not a cure. 

You will be hard pressed to find reports of people using CBD as recommended and needing medical treatment afterwards. You’ll have no trouble finding reports about the dangers of Tylenol (acetaminophen) though, which is responsible for 56,000 ER visits and 26,000 hospitalizations every year. Despite the well-documented dangers of many legal, readily available over-the-counter drugs, you likely won’t hear CBD’s critics commenting on the safety of those medications. 

The World Health Organization has described CBD as being “generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.” Their CBD report also said there was no evidence that CBD carried any abuse or dependency risks. There is no evidence indicating CBD users are at risk of overdosing on the cannabinoid. CBD is non-psychoactive, so you won’t get “too high” because there is no high. 

Studies have given participants doses up to 1,500 milligrams of CBD a day with no negative effects. Most users take 5 to 60 mg a day. 

That being said, there are people who may not tolerate CBD well. In the above study, which examined CBD’s effects on sleep and anxiety, 79 percent of patients enjoyed decreased anxiety and nearly 67 percent slept better. All of the 72 adults in the study tolerated CBD well except three of the patients. Two of the patients dropped out of the study due to fatigue, three reported mild sedation when they first started receiving CBD and one reported dry eyes. None of the documented side effects in that study were particularly painful or life threatening. 

Although rare, some people do experience side effects such as nausea, fatigue, irritability, drowsiness, light headedness and low blood pressure. Taking CBD may also increase your level of coumadin, a blood thinner. That effect is actually very similar to grapefruit juice. 

Make sure to talk with your doctor before taking CBD to ensure it won’t react negatively with any current medications you’re taking or medical conditions you may have.  

Most legitimate CBD producers, including those recommended on this site, utilize extensive lab testing to ensure their products are not only safe but also potent. Good CBD companies want to make sure the strength printed on the label of their CBD bottles is accurate. They technically aren’t required to do that by law, but it’s something they choose to do for the good of their customers and their own reputation. 

The real problem are the companies that don’t hold themselves accountable. 

Because the vast majority of CBD products are marketed as a dietary supplement and not a medication, CBD products don’t have to undergo the same level of rigorous quality and safety testing to which medications are subjected. 

That’s why we always recommend doing your research before making any CBD purchases. Make sure the company you buy from performs extensive lab testing. Many CBD companies now even let you look up the lab report for your batch, which is an added benefit for user verification purposes. 

The only CBD-based drug to receive FDA approval so far is Epidiolex, which is used to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Both conditions are rare forms of childhood epilepsy. 

CBD is currently being studied as a potential treatment for: