Cannabis sativa is perhaps the most talked-about natural weed in both legal and medical quarters. The plant has been praised and condemned in the same measure. Many medical experts are saying that its extracts have far too many medical functions than what ordinary people can imagine. Derivative products obtained from the cannabis plant have been used for hundreds of years in many medical areas to treat illnesses such as neurological disorders, pain relief in cancer, and epilepsy patients. The thin line between the medicinal significance and the adverse effects of cannabis on human beings has elicited varying reactions. The THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and cannabidiol (popularly known as CBD) have become a significant focus. CBD is found in cannabis but doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical compound that has psychoactive properties. This non-psychoactive cannabinoid has made headlines as a broad-spectrum therapeutic drug that can heal some of the hard-to-deal with illnesses such as seizures.
What Makes CBD Different from THC?
Numerous studies support the argument that cannabidiol, an extract from hemp, is an effective compound when it comes to the treatment of chronic epilepsies. What sets cannabidiol apart from the rest of THC compounds is the fact that it has tolerable levels of THC content. As a fiber type of cannabis, it has less than 0.3 percent THC content. A good number of randomized studies have suggested that the efficacy of cannabidiol as a therapeutic medicine is one to admire. What’s more admirable is the fact that it has tolerable side effects. In some jurisdictions such as the USA, cannabidiol is not classified under controlled substances and can be purchased, possessed or used without much risk of being charged in courts. Despite extensive literature supporting the medicinal importance of CBD extracts, there is no agreement about efficacy and risk level of the products.
Is there a Prescription Cannabidiol?
While many CBD derivatives are on the market, CBD oil is perhaps the only effective anti-seizure drug that is recognized by the FDA. Cannabidiol is available in the form of capsules, vaporized liquid, and oil. Epidiolex is the prescription CBD oil that has gotten an okay from the FDA as a drug that treats epilepsies. Studies are underway to determine the effectiveness in treating other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and anxiety.
Is Cannabidiol a Safe Treatment Solution?
Like most drugs, CBD might come with some risks. However, the effects may be mild and well-tolerated. Some of the side effects include fatigue, dryness of the mouth, lack of appetite, and diarrhea. What many people have questioned is the reliability of the dosage in products and their purity. Studies showed a variance in the CBD content of some online products from what is indicated on the labels. If you are contemplating using cannabidiol to treat any of the conditions mentioned, speak to your physician. Your doc will discuss with you the available types of CBD and help you choose the one that will best suit you.