CBD CAN BE USED TO TREAT NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS

CBD possesses a variety of beneficial, medicinal properties. Experts are still unclear as to how the molecular mechanisms of CBD work despite its range of clinical effects. Numerous past studies have discovered that CBD assists in the recovery of iron-induced memory deficits. There is a lot that we do not know when it comes to neurodegenerative diseases, but research conducted by Dr. George Bartzokis, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA, displayed a clear link between excessive iron build up in the brain and cognitive deficits associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

What are the properties of CBD exactly?

CBD is one of the 100+ active ingredients, and it is believed to account for up to 40% of the plant’s extract. CBD has a low level of affinity for the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, but it acts on them directly. CBD will not get a user high in the same way that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, will. Certain strains of marijuana have higher levels of CBD than THC, and a variety of cannabis breeders have managed to develop strains with high levels of CBD and near zero levels of THC. These strains have become popular for medical purposes in recent years.

CBD does not interfere with psychomotor and psychological functions, induce changes in food intake, induce catalepsy, affect physiological parameters, or other functions of the body that are affected by THC. CBD administration in rats and humans has been linked to an array of antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytics, and antiemetic properties. CBD has proven to have a wide range of potential therapeutic effects despite the infamous history of its host plant.

CBD and neuroprotection

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to possess a range of neuroprotective effects in cell structures in various animals and humans. Small doses of the substance have proven to be effective at offsetting the neurodegenerative properties of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. CBD seems to improve brain functions without leading to any adverse effects on the body. The mechanism of such actions is still unclear, but numerous research papers have managed to draw the same conclusions. The interaction between CBD and the receptors in the brain is believed to be the reason why it has a beneficial impact on neuroprotection.

The substance has a series of anti-inflammatory properties that assist in the prevention and treatment of brain-related seizures and epilepsy as well. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of CBD are unknown as well, but it is believed to affect the functions of various transporters and receptors. CBD appears to be well tolerated in humans, but most studies lack conclusive proof of its range of effects on the human brain and psychiatric disorders. As the cannabis plant has been illegal for generations, conducting research has been a hassle as researchers are unable to, in many instances, conduct clinical trials without falling foul of government regulations.

Cannabidiol (CBD) protects cells

As CBD is non-toxic in humans, a wide range of studies have been performed on humans. CBD has proven to have numerous anti proliferative properties. CBD has the ability to control the development and progression of tumors. CBD is also capable of inhibiting glioma cell invasions and slow down the effects of leukemia and breast cancer.

CBD has an incredible level of impact on the primary cells of the immune system. CBD is capable of suppressing the chemokine production carried by human B cells and modulating tumour necrosis factors. CBD has been proven to prevent radical oxygen species-induced cell death and it can act as a useful therapeutic agent. CBD can also antagonize glutamate toxicity in cortical neurons irrespective of what receptors it uses to instigate the action. As it can prevent ROS-induced neurotoxicity and cell death, CBD has strong anti-oxidant properties.

CBD and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties of CBD allow it to relieve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. When a person is suffering from Alzheimer’s, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and nitric oxide, the enyzmatic product of iNOS, play a devastating role in neurotoxifying the region. CBD has been shown to possibly offset the production of iNOS protein expression and nitrite production. CBD plays an inhibiting role, but further research is needed to understand the full scope of its effects.

CBD protects PC12 neurons in the body from Aβ-induced toxicity through an anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanism.  Β-Amyloid peptide is one of the major component of senile plagues and it is considered to have a big role in the development and proliferation of Alzheimer’s. CBD has been demonstrated to inhibit nitrite production in differentiated  Aβ PC12 cells. CBD treatment significantly reduced the levels of iNOS protein expressions. This way CBD is able to counter the effects of  Aβ-induced cognitive impairments, and this is especially good news as CBD is devoid of any psychoactive effects.

What does the research with CBD mean going forward?

CBD is an incredibly interesting molecule as all of its effects are channeled through biochemical mechanisms with no underlying effects on physiology and negligible toxic effects. CBD has proven to be effective in combating Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, several autoimmune disorders, and it can also lower anxiety levels in human beings. It also combats the memory-impairing effects of THC and its other adverse effects.  There is a sector of doctors that are now prescribing CBD to their patients for some of the aliments listed in this article.  As of mid 2018 the first CBD prescription CBD based drug was approved by the FDA.

It is only a matter of time before CBD medicines come to dominate the mainstream pharmaceutical landscape. Legal barriers and patenting issues have prevented this wonder cure from being available to the masses until now. It is incredible that something with so many benefits and near zero side effects is being hidden due to a wide variety of unfathomable reasons. The anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties of CBD is demanding the widespread adoption of medical marijuana as there are literally no other drugs that have the same properties.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.