Medical Uses of Cannabidol

Medical Uses of Cannabidol

With the rapid growth of legal Marijuana throughout the United States as well as the growing credibility of it as viable option for medical treatment and prevention I am still astonished to see that the federal government still refuses to reclassify Marijuana as a lower classification. It is currently a Schedule 1 drug meaning that it has a “high potential for abuse” as well as “no currently accepted medical treatment use in the U.S.” (Drugs.com). The fact that according to the United State government, Marijuana is on the same level as Heroin, Peyote, and MDMA when it comes to addictiveness as well as medical abilities is completely ignorant. Especially when has been proven to effectively treat cancerous tumors, anxiety, physcosis, and anorexia (Zuardi, 2008). Most of the plants wonders are all thanks to cannabidol (CBD), but unfortunately it is almost always out shadowed by its cousin delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabidol “rich cannabis provides potent therapeutic benefits without the euphoria or lethargy of many THC varieties” (mychronicrelief.com). Meaning that those using CBD are able to benefit from the cannabis plant without getting “high”. Unfortunately not too many people have heard of the wonders cannabidol can for many diseases and chronic illness. Which is why I would like to help educate the masses about CBD as well as what it can do to help make are lives easier and longer.

It all begins with the Cannabis sativa plant which produces over 400 unique chemicals created within the resinous epidermal glands in the female flower called trichomes (Guzman, 2009). These chemicals are 21-carbon terpenophenolic compounds are known as Cannabinoids or phytocannabinoids. Of these hundreds of chemicals the most widely known is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, often shortened to THC, with other lesser known ones such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol, cannabichromene, cannabigerol, tetrahydrocannabivarin, and delta-8- tetrahydrocannabinol (cancer.gov). These chemicals are part of the endogenous cannabinoid system with promote homeostasis throughout multiple areas in the body. This possible thanks to receptors through the body: in organs, the brain, connective tissues, immune cells, and glands, where they perform a variety of tasks depending on the type of cell (norml.org). These receptors come in two varieties; CB1 which is expressed by the central and peripheral neurons, and CB2 which is mainly present in immune cells. CB1 receptor control energy metabolism, appetite as well as several brainstem functions such as; the cardiorespiratory system, hypertension, bradycardia, and respiratory depression. While the CB2 receptors are usually present in antigen-presenting cells which help as an anti-inflammatory and as an antihyperalgesic. The whole process is controlled by a negative feedback loop which regulates the release of a neurotransmitter which is explain in the following page by a feedback loop made by me.

Feedback Loop of CB1 Receptor

CB1 is an inhibitor that is mainly expressed by peripheral and central neurons. The process by which they release neuronal excitability is done so via a negative feedback system which regulates the release of a neurotransmitter. It begins with an arriving action potential which opens the calcium channels. This increase in pre-synaptic intracellular calcium causes the neurotransmitter to be released. After the synapse the intracellular calcium triggers the synthesis of endocannabinoids from arachidonic acid. This then leads to the activation of the CD1 receptor which closes the calcium channels and prevents more calcium from entering, thus stopping the release of the neurotransmitter.

These receptors are mainly found all over the body, CB1 are found with the highest concentration in the basal ganglia, the hippocampus, and cerebellum (Guzman, 2009). These regulate a vast amount of day to day functions such as “appetite, immune function, muscle control, pain, inter-ocular pressure, cognition, reward mechanism, thermoregulation, and emesis (nausea and vomiting) (Abrams, 2011). While the CB2 receptor is normally present in immune cells, with highest concentration found in the spleen. This involvement within immune system cells “strongly [suggest] a role in immune function, cell proliferation, inflammation, and pain” (Guzman, 2009).

In order for these receptors to be activated they need to interact with cannabinoids, which I have already listed. The most infamous being delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the sought after cannabinoid by its recreational users do to its psychoactive effects on the brain (medicalmarijuana.procon.org). THC is present is almost every variety of marijuana plants, but concentrations vary from species to species, however most marijuana grown is specifically bred for the highest concentration of THC since most recreational users want to experience the psychoactive effects. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is extremely potent and is " powerful neuroprotective, antioxidant and has 20 times the anti-inflammatory power of aspirin and twice that of hydrocortisone” (Russo, 2011). However, like all medicines this molecule does have its drawback. The psychoactive properties that some people wish for also deter those who want to get the benefits of the plant without getting “high”. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain that are associated with thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination, judgment, and attention (livescience.com). Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has also been known to cause anxiety and paranoia in some people, which is ironic because many medical marijuana users claim to use as a treatment for their anxiety. For these reasons many people with valid reasons for using medical cannabis are turned away from it. Luckily, the cannabis plant has other cannabinoids which offer as much, or more, benefits to the medical community than Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most common cannabinoid in the marijuana plant and the most common in the hemp plant (Russo, 2011). Cannabidiol (CBD) does not have a strong affinity to the CB1 and CB2, unlike delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This means that it does not cause the user to feel any of the psychoactive affects that turns people away from THC. CBD works with THC in a synergistic way which maximizes the effects of both while also balancing down the drawback of the THC (mychronicrelief.com). For example, THC is known to induce sleep in many of its users, however CBD counteracts this and promotes a feeling of wakefulness (truthonpot.com). These variances in the ratios of CBD and THC are why some cannabis strain make