Currently, the FDA has approved only one cannabidiol (CBD) product called Epidiolex (GW Pharmaceuticals), which is a prescription drug used to treat resistant seizures caused by certain medical conditions (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex). This medication is generally used in combination with other antiseizure drugs.
Although CBD controls seizures associated with some other conditions such as Sturge-Weber syndrome and febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome, the FDA has not approved it for these conditions. Adding CBD to foods or marketing it as a supplement is currently illegal.
Research further suggests the effectiveness of CBD for several other conditions, although none of these uses of CBD have been approved by the FDA due to lack of sufficient evidence. These conditions include:
- Crohn’s disease
- Arthritis
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Sleep disorders
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s disease
- Acne
- Dystonia (a type of movement disorder due to uncontrolled muscle contraction resulting in repetitive or twisting movements)
- Exercise-induced muscle damage
- Essential tremors (a type of neurological disorder causing uncontrolled rhythmic shaking)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Substance-abuse disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Schizophrenia
- Obesity
- Bipolar disorder
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in the hands and feet)
What is CBD?
CBD is isolated from the Cannabis plant (hemp or marijuana).
Besides CBD, the Cannabis plant contains over 80 other chemical compounds, one of which is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is known for its psychoactive properties or ability to give a high. CBD does not have psychoactive or addictive properties and is mainly used for medicinal purposes.
Is CBD the same as marijuana?
Cannabidiol and marijuana are not the same. CBD is a single chemical substance found in the Cannabis plant, whereas marijuana is a variety of the Cannabis plant or plant material containing several bioactive compounds THC and CBD.
Because marijuana contains the psychoactive compounds (THC), it can give a high, unlike pure CBD. Pure CBD does not have any abuse or dependence potential, unlike marijuana.
What are the side effects of CBD?
The FDA has limited data about the safety of CBD, although some of the side effects of CBD include:
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Gastrointestinal upset (presenting as reduced appetite or diarrhea)
- Fatigue
- Liver injury (presenting as jaundice, ascites [distended abdomen], or problems with digestion)
- Drowsiness
- Agitation
If you are taking any medications or regularly use alcohol or drugs, talk to your doctor before using CBD. CBD can interact with other medications, causing serious adverse reactions. It can also interact with alcohol or other drugs that have a calming effect on the brain (such as medications to treat panic disorders, anxiety, insomnia, or stress), leading to an increased risk of drowsiness and sedation.
Animal studies have suggested that CBD consumption during pregnancy may damage the reproductive organs in male fetuses, causing fertility problems in male animals who were given CBD supplementation.
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