Historical perspective on the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 200 cannabinoids present in the Cannabis plant. Unlike the plant’s primary cannabinoid, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce psychotomimetic effects nor induce dependence. Initially considered an inactive cannabinoid, interest in its pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential has grown exponentially over the last 20 years.

Currently employed as a medication for certain epileptic syndromes, numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies support its potential use in various other disorders. In this chapter, we provide a brief historical overview of how this compound evolved from an “inactive substance” to a multifunctional clinical agent. Additionally, we discuss the current challenges in researching its potential therapeutic effects.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029980/

“In the sixty years that separate the initial studies with CBD from the current state of knowledge, understanding of its therapeutic potential has advanced remarkably. However, much of this potential still needs to be explored through randomized clinical trials to better establish CBD’s role in clinical therapy. This need, though, poses a significant obstacle to its development due to the high costs involved in conducting these trials and the difficulty of obtaining patents.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000515?via%3Dihub

Cannabidiol and Alzheimer’s disease

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stands as the most prevalent form of neuropsychiatric disorder among the elderly population, impacting a minimum of 50 million individuals worldwide. Current pharmacological treatments rely on the prescribing cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. However,recently anecdotal findings based on low-quality real-world data had prompted physicians, patients, and their relatives to consider the use of cannabinoids, especially Cannabidiol (CBD), for alleviating of AD symptoms.

CBD the primary non-psychotomimetic compound found in the Cannabis sp. plant, exhibits promising therapeutic potential across various clinical contexts. Pre-clinical and in vitro studies indicate that CBD could mitigate cognitive decline and amyloid-beta-induced neurodegeneration by modulating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

In addition, CBD demonstrates significant effects in promoting neuroplasticity, particularly in brain regions such as the hippocampus. However, the available clinical evidence presents conflicting results, and no randomized placebo-controlled trials have been published to date.

In conclusion, although pre-clinical and in vitro studies offer encouraging insights into the potential benefits of CBD in AD models, new and well-designed clinical trials are imperative to ascertain the clinical relevance of CBD use in the management of AD symptoms, especially in comparison to conventional treatments.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029982/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000667?via%3Dihub

Cannabidiol and epilepsy

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Cannabidiol (CBD) has been investigated as a pharmacological approach for treating a myriad of neurological and psychiatric disorders, the most successful of them being its use as an antiseizure drug (ASD). Indeed, CBD has reached the clinics for the treatment of certain epileptic syndromes.

This chapter aims to overview the pharmacology of CBD and its potential mechanisms of action as an ASD. First, we give an outline of the concepts, mechanisms and pharmacology pertaining to the field of study of epilepsy and epileptic seizures. In the second section, we will summarize the effects of CBD as an ASD. Next, we will discuss its potential mechanisms of action to alleviate epileptic seizures, which seem to entail multiple neurotransmitters, receptors and intracellular pathways. Finally, we will conclude and present some limitations and perspectives for future studies.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029983/

“Five decades ago, early studies noted the potential effects of CBD in alleviating epileptic seizures. However, a prolonged period passed before scientific and social interest in this phytocannabinoid experienced a resurgence. This delay in exploration hindered a comprehensive understanding of its clinical profile, but mechanisms of action could finally be addressed. After a long journey starting from the bench, today CBD has become an additional therapeutic option for patients diagnosed with epilepsy”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000527?via%3Dihub

Therapeutic potential of CBD in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Despite extensive research, effective pharmacological interventions for ASD remain limited.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound of the Cannabis sativa plant, has potential therapeutic effects on several neurological and psychiatric disorders.

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a complex cell-signaling system that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, maintaining homeostasis, participating in social and behavioral processing, and neuronal development and maturation with great relevance to ASD. Furthermore, preliminary findings from clinical trials indicate that CBD may have a modulatory effect on specific ASD symptoms and comorbidities in humans.

Interestingly, emerging evidence suggests that CBD may influence the gut microbiota, with implications for the bidirectional communication between the gut and the central nervous system. CBD is a safe drug with low induction of side effects. As it has a multi-target pharmacological profile, it becomes a candidate compound for treating the central symptoms and comorbidities of ASD.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029984/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000709?via%3Dihub

Cannabidiol in anxiety disorders: Current and future perspectives

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent psychiatric disorders, characterized by a chronic course and often accompanied by comorbid symptoms that impair functionality and decrease quality of life. Despite advances in basic and clinical research in our understanding of these disorders, currently available pharmacological options are associated with limited clinical benefits and side effects that frequently lead to treatment discontinuation. Importantly, a significant number of patients do not achieve remission and live with lifelong residual symptoms that limit daily functioning.

Since the 1970s, basic and clinical research on cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant, has indicated relevant anxiolytic effects, garnering attention for its therapeutic potential as an option in anxiety disorder treatment. This chapter aims to review the history of these studies on the anxiolytic effects of CBD within the current understanding of anxiety disorders. It highlights the most compelling current evidence supporting its anxiolytic effects and explores future perspectives for its clinical use in anxiety disorders.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029985/

“In conclusion, the experimental and clinical use of CBD revealed significant anxiolytic effects. Since initial research in the 1970s, its potential as an anxiolytic agent has been explored by a growing number of studies using different models for anxiety disorders in pre-clinical, clinical and neuroimaging paradigms. This body of research has introduced CBD as a potential option for the treatment of anxiety disorders,”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000710?via%3Dihub

Cannabidiol effects on fear processing and implications for PTSD: Evidence from rodent and human studies

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Cannabidiol (CBD) modulates aversive memory and its extinction, with potential implications for treating anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Here, we summarize and discuss scientific evidence showing that CBD administered after the acquisition (consolidation) and retrieval (reconsolidation) of fear memory attenuates it persistently in rats and mice. CBD also reduces fear expression and enhances fear extinction. These effects involve the activation of cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors in the dorsal hippocampus, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and medial prefrontal cortex, comprising the anterior cingulate, prelimbic, and infralimbic subregions. Serotonin type-1A (5-HT1A) receptors also mediate some CBD effects on fear memory. CBD effects on fear memory acquisition vary, depending on the aversiveness of the conditioning procedure. While rodent findings are relatively consistent and encouraging, human studies investigating CBD’s efficacy in modulating aversive/traumatic memories are still limited. More studies are needed to investigate CBD’s effects on maladaptive, traumatic memories, particularly in post-traumatic stress disorder patients.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029986/

“Rodent studies show that CBD can attenuate fear memories at several stages through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (CB1 receptors). CBD can also reduce the intensity of fear responses through its interaction with 5-HT1A receptors and enhance the extinction of fear. However, the findings regarding CBD effects on fear memory acquisition are mixed. More research is needed to clarify these discrepancies.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000503?via%3Dihub

Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in depression

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a widespread and debilitating condition affecting a significant portion of the global population.

Traditional treatment for MDD has primarily involved drugs that increase brain monoamines by inhibiting their uptake or metabolism, which is the basis for the monoaminergic hypothesis of depression. However, these treatments are only partially effective, with many patients experiencing delayed responses, residual symptoms, or complete non-response, rendering the current view of the hypothesis as reductionist.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown promising results in preclinical models and human studies. Its mechanism is not well-understood, but may involve monoamine and endocannabinoid signaling, control of neuroinflammation and enhanced neuroplasticity. This chapter will explore CBD’s effects in preclinical and clinical studies, its molecular mechanisms, and its potential as a treatment for MDD.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029987/

“CBD exhibits a multi-pharmacological profile with a complex and not fully understood mechanism of action. It engages some pathways similar to those targeted by other antidepressant drugs, such as the facilitation of serotonergic and BDNF-TrkB signaling. However, it also activates distinct pathways that differ from traditional antidepressants.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000850?via%3Dihub

Cannabidiol and pain

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Chronic pain presents significant personal, psychological, and socioeconomic hurdles, impacting over 30% of adults worldwide and substantially contributing to disability. Unfortunately, current pharmacotherapy often proves inadequate, leaving fewer than 70% of patients with relief. This shortfall has sparked a drive to seek alternative treatments offering superior safety and efficacy profiles.

Cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals, notably cannabidiol (CBD), hold promise in pain management, driven by their natural origins, versatility, and reduced risk of addiction. As we navigate the opioid crisis, ongoing research plunges into CBD’s therapeutic potential, buoyed by animal studies revealing its pain-relieving prowess through various system tweaks. However, the efficacy of cannabis in chronic pain management remains a contentious and stigmatized issue.

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) presently refrains from endorsing cannabinoid use for pain relief. Nevertheless, evidence indicates their potential in alleviating cancer-related, neuropathic, arthritis, and musculoskeletal pain, necessitating further investigation. Crucially, our comprehension of CBD’s role in pain management is a journey still unfolding, with animal studies illustrating its analgesic effects through interactions with the endocannabinoid, inflammatory, and nociceptive systems.

As the plot thickens, it’s clear: the saga of chronic pain and CBD’s potential offers a compelling narrative ripe for further exploration and understanding.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029988/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000680?via%3Dihub

Cannabidiol as an antipsychotic drug

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major phytocannabinoid in the Cannabis sativa plant. In contrast to Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce the typical psychotomimetic effects of the plant. In addition, CBD has attracted increased interest due to its potential therapeutic effects in various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia.

Several studies have proposed that CBD has pharmacological properties similar to atypical antipsychotics. Despite accumulating evidence supporting the antipsychotic potential of CBD, the mechanisms of action in which this phytocannabinoid produces antipsychotic effects are still not fully elucidated.

Here, we focused on the antipsychotic properties of CBD indicated by a series of preclinical and clinical studies and the evidence currently available about its possible mechanisms. Findings from preclinical studies suggest that CBD effects may depend on the animal model (pharmacological, neurodevelopmental, or genetic models for schizophrenia), dose, treatment schedule (acute vs. repeated) and route of administration (intraperitoneal vs local injection into specific brain regions).

Clinical studies suggest a potential role for CBD in the treatment of psychotic disorders. However, future studies with more robust sample sizes are needed to confirm these positive findings. Overall, although more studies are needed, current evidence indicates that CBD may be a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of schizophrenia.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029989/

“In conclusion, although much remains to be learned about the mechanisms of action and brain regions involved in CBD effects, several preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that CBD produces antipsychotic effects and is safe and well-tolerated by patients. “

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000655?via%3Dihub

Cannabidiol and addiction

Posted on July 20, 2024 by David

“Cannabidiol (CBD) has been investigated for several therapeutic applications, having reached the clinics for the treatment of certain types of epilepsies. This chapter reviews the potential of CBD for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD). We will present a brief introduction on SUD and current treatments.

In the second part, preclinical and clinical studies with CBD are discussed, focusing on its potential therapeutic application for SUD. Next, we will consider the potential molecular mechanism of action of CBD in SUD. Finally, we will summarize the main findings and perspectives in this field.

There is a lack of studies on CBD and SUD in comparison to the extensive literature investigating the use of this phytocannabinoid for other neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy. However, the few studies available do suggest a promising role of CBD in the pharmacotherapy of SUD, particularly related to cocaine and other psychostimulant drugs.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39029990/

“CBD has been extensively investigated as a potential treatment for numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders. In addition to its current use for the treatment of certain types of epileptic syndromes, extensive preclinical literature and a few clinical studies suggest its potential as an antipsychotic, anxiolytic, and antidepressant drug.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774224000497?via%3Dihub