Researchers have announced a new study plan to test whether cannabis-derived CBD could ease the burden and reduce THC intake for people with marijuana use disorder.
The protocol, funded by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and published in the journal PLoS ONE, is a dual-use drug aimed at “heavy, stable cannabis concentrate users who meet at least the criteria.” The procedure for a blinded randomized trial is illustrated. You have a moderate cannabis use disorder and are looking to reduce or stop your cannabis use. ”
The authors of the protocol from the University of Colorado in Boulder and Denver note that, unlike THC, CBD “has no intoxicating effects and has little potential for abuse among cannabis users.” They also point out that past research has shown that CBD may reduce heroin-seeking behavior, craving, and anxiety in people addicted to opioids.
“Considering the combined evidence from previous studies, the combination of CBD and low-dose THC has the potential to reduce withdrawal symptoms in abstinent cannabis users, and this mechanism of action may be helpful in reducing cannabis use. “This study may enhance the therapeutic effects of hemp-derived CBD,” the paper states. ”
The authors note that current research is “limited to synthetic or isolated forms of CBD that are not widely available.”
In contrast, “hemp-derived CBD, which is widely available without a prescription throughout the United States, has not been tested.”
Researchers classify commercially available hemp products into two forms. One is full-spectrum (fsCBD), which contains about 0.3 percent THC, which is the federal legal limit for hemp products, and the other is broad-spectrum (bsCBD), which contains THC. Nothing is included.
Bidwell et al. / Pro Swan
“Our early data suggests that CBD, which also contains low levels of THC, reduces THC drug reward, withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and overall THC use in high concentrate users.” , they write, “supporting the potential for hemp-derived CBD to reduce THC use and reduce THC use” in this high-risk group. However, no placebo-controlled trials have been conducted comparing hemp-derived CBD with THC to CBD without THC in reducing THC usage. ”
In this model, participants are divided into three groups and each person takes eight softgels orally per day. Participants in the placebo group will receive no CBD, while participants in the full-spectrum and broad-spectrum groups will receive a total of 400 milligrams of CBD per day.
All study participants will participate in five psychotherapy sessions aimed at supporting their motivation to reduce marijuana use and will be assessed on various measures of cannabis use disorder and mental and physical health.
“Existing data shows that the use of cannabis concentrates is rapidly increasing and that high exposure to THC is leading to greater cannabis-related harms, including increased cannabis use, withdrawal symptoms, and CUD symptoms. ”, the report states. “Currently, there are no existing drugs in this field to treat CUD, but the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD is a promising candidate for CUD treatment, especially if high doses and/or hemp-derived fsCBD are used. may reduce cannabis use and withdrawal.”
Although THC and CBD interact with the same receptors in the human brain, scientists are still studying how CBD changes in relation to the body's THC.
For example, a recently published study found that contrary to popular belief, CBD may actually enhance the high caused by marijuana, rather than reduce it.
The study, published in the journal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, found that people who took high doses of CBD (450 mg) along with a smaller dose of 9 mg of THC experienced “far from a decline in subjective, psychomotor, and cognitive function. , was found to have increased significantly. , autonomous effects of THC. ” Smaller amounts of CBD, such as 10 mg or 30 mg, don’t seem to have the same effect.
The report was notable because CBD blocks the interaction of THC with the brain's CB1 receptors, leading many in the cannabis community to believe that CBD can help offset the overly intense marijuana high. This is also because it was commonly believed that it was useful for people. This research suggests that at some level, CBD actually starts to make the perceived effects of cannabis more powerful.
This finding adds to other research showing that the combination of cannabinoids and other chemicals in cannabis can cause a stronger high than THC alone.
For example, another study published last year found that cannabis products containing a greater variety of natural cannabinoids produced stronger and longer-lasting psychoactive experiences than the high produced by pure THC alone.
Another scientific review published this spring found that “complex interactions between phytocannabinoids and biological systems offer hope for new therapeutic approaches” and encouraged innovation in cannabis-based medicine. The foundation for a new era has been laid.
In addition to external effects on humans, recent research has shown that hemp leaf extracts containing CBD effectively kill mosquito larvae (including certain types of mosquitoes that are resistant to conventional insecticides) that spread yellow fever. It also shows that it may be a promising new natural insecticide.
The authors from Ohio State University wrote that CBD “appears to be the main active ingredient in larvicidal activity.”
Review finds that cannabis oil helps heal skin wounds by creating an “environment that promotes tissue regeneration''
Photo courtesy of Kimsey Nanny.
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