What is CBD?
Understanding a Cannabis Compound
Welcome back to our series on cannabis compounds! Today, we're focusing on CBD, or cannabidiol, another well-known compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD is generally not associated with the psychoactive effects that produce a "high."
How CBD Interacts with Your Body
Just like with THC, CBD interacts with your body's remarkable endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps maintain balance across various bodily functions. CBD's interaction with the ECS is distinct from THC's. Instead of directly binding to key receptors like CB1, CBD is thought to influence the ECS through indirect pathways (Laprairie et al., 2015). Unlike THC, CBD has low affinity for CB1 receptors, explaining its lack of psychoactivity or ‘high’ (McPartland et al., 2015).
Areas of Scientific Exploration
Scientific understanding of CBD is continually evolving, with ongoing research investigating its properties. Researchers are studying how CBD interacts with biological systems to understand its potential effects. CBD plays a big role in reduction of seizures in Epilepsy, and has been approved for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, reducing seizure frequency by ~40% in trials (Thiele et al., 2018)
Important Considerations
While CBD is generally considered to have a favourable safety profile, like any compound, it can have potential side effects. These can be mild and might include fatigue, dry mouth, or changes in appetite (GoodRx, 2024; Cancer Research UK, 2023). It's also known that CBD can interact with certain medications, particularly those processed by the liver, which is why professional medical advice is crucial when considering any new substance (Balachandran et al., 2021).
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Laws regarding prescription medicines vary by region, and readers should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any prescription medication.
​​References:​ Balachandran, P., Elsohly, M., & Hill, K. P. (2021). Cannabidiol interactions with medications, illicit substances, and alcohol: A comprehensive review. Epilepsy & Behavior, 123, 108459. Cancer Research UK. (2023). Cannabidiol (CBD). Retrieved from https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/cannabidiol-cbd GoodRx Health. (2024). CBD Side Effects and Drug Interactions. Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/health/cbd/cbd-side-effects-drug-interactions Laprairie, R. B., Bagher, A. M., Kelly, M. E., & Denovan-Wright, E. M. (2015). Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. British Journal of Pharmacology, McPartland, J. M., Duncan, M., Di Marzo, V., & Pertwee, R. G. (2015). Are cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin negative modulators of the endocannabinoid system? A systematic review. British Journal of Pharmacology, 172(3), 737-753. Thiele, E. A., Marsh, E. D., French, J. A., Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska, M., Benbadis, S. R., Joshi, C., ... & Sommerville, K. (2018). Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. New England Journal of Medicine, 378(20), 1888-1897.