CBD or Cannabidiol is derived from the plant of the genus Cannabis Sativa L. Unlike other molecules found in Cannabis, CBD is “non-psychoactive”, and does not produce a “high” when consumed.
How does CBD work?
Although much progress in this field has been made, the exact mechanisms that enable CBD to be effective on a molecular level are still being determined and categorised by the scientific community. Cannabidiol is classified as a pleiotropic drug – that is, one that produces a variety of effects on a number of different neural pathways. Although CBD does not interact directly with the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the brain, it modulates other receptors and affects a number of functions within ion channels.
Use cases and research
Although CBD has been associated with beneficial effects in regard to a number of medical conditions, the strongest evidence that remains is for reducing the frequency and intensity of seizures in childhood epilepsy syndromes. Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) are severe conditions that traditionally do not respond well to medication. Numerous studies prove CBD’s efficacy in reducing and sometimes even preventing symptoms from occurring altogether.
CBD is regularly supplied to patients who suffer from social anxiety and the misery of insomnia. There are several studies proving the existence of these links and, although further research on humans is required, early studies into the relief of arthritic pain demonstrated the mechanism by which CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain in the body.
Research is underway to accurately determine CBD’s function as a neuroprotective against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s’ disease and stroke.
Studies around the compound’s ability to influence the symptoms and causes of psychosis, inflammation and several types of cancer will be broken down in later blog posts.
CBD and side-effects
The World Health Organisation deems CBD completely safe for human consumption “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” Source
Although widely tolerated by the body, some clinicians have discovered that CBD use does carry some mild risks, especially when patients consume amounts beyond the recommended doses. The main issues encountered are drowsiness, fatigue, irritability, reduced appetite and dry mouth, as well as fluid loss through diarrhoea.
Some issues have arisen around the reliability and purity of the CBD provided to patients. A recent study aimed at accurate dosage showed that around 25% of products that make it to the shelves have either less than the advertised dosage of CBD or levels of THC that are illegal.
Simha reliability
You can buy with trust at SIHMA.LIFE, as we control every aspect of the process, from sowing to harvesting and extraction to ensuring and supplying accurate lab testing results for the final product. Grown and produced on our organic permaculture farm and land in Tuscany, Italy.
The difference
We combine ancient ayurvedic knowledge of medicinal cannabis production with cutting-edge technology at the Toscana Life Sciences institution providing medical grade, world-class equipment with GMP & ISO certification. We use the cold pressed extraction method: the plants are fresh frozen from our farm and transported directly to our lab to be pressed into rosin. This technique means we keep the full phytochemical complex of the plant in its original ratio, retaining the terpenes, waxes, flavonoids and cannabinoids. Most extraction methods use alcohol or solvents, which strip away essential components of the plant; the method we use is solventless and alcohol-free, resulting in a much more bioavailable and better-tasting oil.