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Meds CBD

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I picked these up at my herb store yesterday. I’m hoping they help my horrible neck and back pain. I’ve never tried them before. Has anyone else taken oral capsules? Not sure what to expect.
 
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@Vicki I have not tried those. The only CBD I've tried was in elixer or concentrate form. I found it gave me a little extra pain relief and helped me sleep. And the CBD dog biscuits I gave my dog helped him a lot after surgery. So there's definitely merit to CBD. How much did that pack run you; out of curiosity? I was amazed at how expensive the dog biscuits were at 8 of them for $20.00.

I hope you get some relief from these. Let us know. :smile:
 
@Vicki I have not tried those. The only CBD I've tried was in elixer or concentrate form. I found it gave me a little extra pain relief and helped me sleep. And the CBD dog biscuits I gave my dog helped him a lot after surgery. So there's definitely merit to CBD. How much did that pack run you; out of curiosity? I was amazed at how expensive the dog biscuits were at 8 of them for $20.00.

I hope you get some relief from these. Let us know. :smile:

I’m going to take one capsule this afternoon, and will report back with results.

This small sample package was $4.00. A bottle of #30 is $55.00. Very expensive. :(
 
This small sample package was $4.00. A bottle of #30 is $55.00. Very expensive. :(
Sigh.... I sure hope prices come down for you once things sort out in Florida. That is expensive for 2 capsules.

Hopefully it's worth it. And at least you're able to try a smaller sample pack before investing more $.
 
‘Should I Be Vaping CBD?’: Why Vaporization Works Better Than Ingestion

“There’s more than one way to skin a cat” is a weirdly morbid saying, but the phrase’s core concept rings true – there are a lot of ways to accomplish the same task. This has never been more true for cannabidiol (CBD). With the rising demand for CBD products, there are a plethora of different ways to get your daily dose. They range from sublingual sprays, to vaping CBD oils, to smoking good old-fashioned joints. Yet most people don’t know that the way in which you ingest CBD can drastically alter its effective dosage.

CBD’s Bioavailability: Understanding Its Variations
In general, not all of the CBD you consume will directly affect your body: only a certain percentage will be able to enter your systemic circulation and produce its active effects. This percentage is referred to in science as “bioavailability,” and it strongly depends on the manner in which CBD is introduced to your system. For example, the oral bioavailability of CBD is roughly 15 percent. That means for every 100 milligrams of CBD that you eat, only 15 milligrams will actually reach your bloodstream.
There are two main reasons why this happens. First, CBD is hydrophobic, meaning that it is not very water-soluble. In the same way that oil does not like to mix with vinegar, CBD does not like to stay in your bloodstream. Instead, it rapidly diffuses out of your blood and accumulates into your fatty tissues. Unfortunately, this significantly reduces the amount of bioactive CBD that can enter your systemic circulation, allowing for less CBD to be carried to its active sites in your body and thus lowering its overall bioavailability.
Second, when an organic compound like CBD enters your gut, it has to pass through the liver before it enters your circulation. During this transition, the liver will actively reduce the amount of CBD, either through absorption or through chemical breakdown by liver enzymes. This phenomenon is called the “first-pass effect,” where passing through the liver reduces the concentration of bioactive compounds.


Maximizing CBD's Effects: How to Offset CBD Loss by Vaporizing
There are a few different ways to offset these losses of CBD. For one, you can reduce the amount of CBD that dissolves out of your bloodstream by putting the CBD into a form that is more hydrophilic, or water-soluble. However, this can only be achieved by complicated chemical means, such as through the use of cyclodextrins or liposomes. A more practical solution is to bypass the first-pass effect of oral administration entirely by utilizing vaporization.
During vaporization, CBD enters your lungs and diffuses directly into your bloodstream rather than passing through your gut and liver. This avoids the first-pass effect altogether, allowing nearly four times as much CBD to enter your circulation for a maximum bioavailability of roughly 50 to 60 percent. Essentially, this means you can achieve the same beneficial effects with a much smaller amount of CBD.

Not only that, but vaping will greatly decrease the amount of time it takes for the CBD in your body to become active, since you don’t have to wait for it to travel through your gut. By vaporizing a CBD e-liquid or high-CBD concentrate, you could potentially feel its effects 30 to 60 minutes faster. This makes vaping CBD an extremely efficient delivery method.
Of course, if you’re leaning towards embracing the vape life, make sure you’ve done your research on the concentrate you intend to consume. Without sufficient regulatory oversight in the emerging vape and cannabis industries, few companies have been able to produce a clear and homogenous CBD solution, so the milligram amount in CBD products is often inconsistent with the amount claimed on the label. Be sure to ask for both in-house and third-party test results from your chosen source to ensure you’re getting a quality product!



 
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I picked these up yesterday. I got two free! They are usually $6.00 a bar, for one ounce (28 grams).


***I forgot to report back about the capsules. The 20mg were way to strong. I picked up the 8mg capsules and I liked them a lot better, but they are $30 a bottle for 30 capsules. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to afford to get the candy bars again either. The CBD and dispensary prices here in Florida are insane. :(
 
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I picked these up yesterday. I got two free! They are usually $6.00 a bar, for one ounce (28 grams).


***I forgot to report back about the capsules. The 20mg were way to strong. I picked up the 8mg capsules and I liked them a lot better, but they are $30 a bottle for 30 capsules. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to afford to get the candy bars again either. The CBD and dispensary prices here in Florida are insane. :(

Just curious, what were the effects of 20mg caps that were too strong?

I'm afraid prices in my state will go up when our state sanctioned dispensaires open as well.
 
Just curious, what were the effects of 20mg caps that were too strong?

I'm afraid prices in my state will go up when our state sanctioned dispensaires open as well.

I felt really over medicated. I felt it in my head as well as my body. I was toking on some really good Grand Daddy Purple with a THC content of 19%, so, it very well could have been the combo. I had no ill effects from the combo of THC and the 8mg capsule, though.

When I try the candy bar, I’m only going to eat half, 10mg. I may or may not being combining with THC. I will definitely report back with results.
 
I felt really over medicated. I felt it in my head as well as my body.
Makes me wonder if some THC was left in those CBD products you got Vicki. I'll be interested in hearing how it went with the candy bar.

I've never felt any type of 'high' from CBD products with the exception of CBD distillate added to other dabs. It seems to enhance it. Perhaps something similar happened when you toked the Grand Daddy Purple with the CBD? :idon'tknow:
 
Makes me wonder if some THC was left in those CBD products you got Vicki. I'll be interested in hearing how it went with the candy bar.

I've never felt any type of 'high' from CBD products with the exception of CBD distillate added to other dabs. It seems to enhance it. Perhaps something similar happened when you toked the Grand Daddy Purple with the CBD? :idon'tknow:

I think it was the combo, and the high dose of CBD.

I did toke more of that Grand Daddy Purple after I ate half of the candy bar. (10mg). No ill effects this time at all. I felt fine and the CBD helped my pain.
 
What is CBD and its role in Anti Aging
by Cannabis MD | Jan 1, 2018 |

By: Stefanie Hatton Raya

Gary Wenk, the professor of Psychology/Neuroscience at Ohio State University, states that we can “see it in humans and rats the changes which occur with the aging of the brain”. We refer to that as inflammation. Scientific studies show that inflammation, developed in the brain is the background of most, if not all disease. What this specialist discovered, was that marijuana or at least a component of it called cannabinoids (which is the main component of the plants) – CBD oil brings the brain to a very low frequency which in fact lowers inflammation and brings the brain to a level where it can repair itself. Just as when you go to sleep, it allows the brain to repair your internal and external functions. This will soon be available via the “patch”, as some patients are too young or averse to smoking any medicine. Dr. Wenk wants to find that magic bullet to decrease inflammation and improve your mental functions.

As we age, our brains are more resistant to accepting new information, so, the clock is ticking. No doubt about it,younger brains are healthier. You can, of course, start off at very low dosage – hardly noticeable, witch is like taking one puff (but not inhaling). Just like Clinton.

He also states that any “non-living” food intake ages us! Sugar, Carbs, Fats… all of our favorite things!


7 Ways CBD Oil Combats Aging
By Editorial Team | September 1, 2017


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The Disease of Aging
Scientists refer to aging as a disease. The ravages of time on our body behave much like a disease. For some, signs of aging appear sooner than with others. Aging shortens our telomeres, dims our sight and dulls our hearing. But, if aging is a disease, that means we all have it.

Stress Shortens Our Telomeres
Researchers are getting down to the nitty gritty, dealing with aging at the cellular level. They’ve been coming up with all kinds of new ideas on how to slow down the process that wears us out. Although, the fountain of youth is yet to be discovered, we know by now that stress plays a big role in aging us. That’s because the accumulation of stress causes damage to our genes. And, no doubt —our telomeres. Therefore, whatever helps us to chill should also help to slow down our aging.

Is Weed Your Chill Pill?
It just so happens that weed —that maligned and forbidden substance we struggle to keep our kids away from— may hold at least part of the secret to youthfulness. In fact, of all the herbs that are beneficial for the body, marijuana may be the most amazing. This seven-leafed beauty has secrets yet to be revealed. However, here are some that we know about.

7 Ways CBD Oil Combats Aging
1. ANTIOXIDANT AND NEUROPROTECTANT
Stress affects the whole body, including and especially the brain. In many cases, the brain is where stress can cause the most damage as we age. Stress can cause plaque build-up in the brain that leads to dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease, etc. In cellular research, THC treatment reduced levels of amyloid-beta (brain plaque).

What is Oxidative Stress?

When the body is unable to balance the positive with the negative byproducts of oxygen metabolism, oxidative stress occurs. This is a destructive action that can cause diseases such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases and other diseases of aging. But, CBD oil combats aging of the brain by healing the diseases that are associated with oxidative stress. Active cannabinoids in CBD oil are potent neuroprotective antioxidants. In addition, scientists have discovered that CBD oil combats aging by reducing the inflammation of the brain’s neurons. And, that combats the diseases of aging with a doubled mechanism action. Head trauma and stroke also cause oxidative stress which cannabis compounds help to reduce. This speeds the healing process in the brain.

2. IMPROVES MEMORY
CBD oil combats aging by improving memory in aging adults. Research in 2017 showed that mice given daily doses of THC saw “dramatic improvement in cognitive functions”. The mice had been divided into three age brackets. The younger mice treated with THC experienced reduced cognitive function and memory. But, the older mice improved in cognitive tasks and memory.

3. BETTER THAN A CHILL PILL
CBD oil combats aging by calming your stress more naturally than any chill pills you may try. Researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago have found that low doses of THC eases stress in adults, inclusive of psychosocial stress. Psychosocial stress, which is triggered by social situations, is a major risk factor in developing anxiety, depression and other disorders. In fact, chronic psychosocial stress is linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease. It causes neurons in certain brain regions to die. It also negatively affects the CA3 region of the hippocampus —the sector responsible for memory formation.

4. IMPROVES SLEEP
Sleep is vitally important for all of us but, particularly for the elderly. CBD oil combats aging by helping you get better sleep. During the REM phase of sleep, beta-amyloid plaque is flushed from the brain. That’s a good thing because this plaque contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Without sufficient deep sleep, these beta-amyloids are allowed to remain in the brain and build up, restricting blood flow. Most noteworthy, cannabis facilitates a deeper, longer sleep. And, the depth and length of your sleep is important to good mental health.

5. SKIN ANTIOXIDANT
There are two ways that skin aging occurs. Natural aging happens over time. This is called intrinsic aging. When we leave our teen years behind, our skin begins to produce roughly 1% less collagen every year. The lack of collagen causes the skin to sag. But wait, there’s another factor involved. The environment. Pollution, UV rays and poor diet can speed up the aging process. This is called extrinsic aging.

CBD Combats Aging by Neutralizing Free Rads

The potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of CBD oil make it a trusty combatant against extrinsic aging. It neutralizes free radicals that damage skin cells. Cannabidiol also improves skin acne and protects skin from DNA damage.

6. REDUCES INFLAMMATION
Many of today’s diseases and chronic diseases are caused at least in part by chronic inflammation. Though inflammation is the body’s defense against stress and injury, chronic inflammation can contribute to health problems. Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to depression, allergies, diabetes, arthritis, neurodegenerative disease, and more. CBD oil contains a variety of anti-inflammatory compounds. With consistent use, CBD oil can combat the aging diseases that are brought on by chronic inflammation.

7. IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE
By reducing inflammation, CBD oil relieves pain. Non-psychotropic CBD oil acts as an analgesic, soothing muscle pain and increasing mobility. Add an improved mood to that and you have a better quality of life. (Studies from 1992 found that depression rates are highest at the 80-year mark. Lowest depression rates occur at around 45 years old.) Senior adults who struggle with loneliness, anxiety and depression can appreciate the ability of cannabis to improve their mood and calm their anxiety. Older adults and their family have so much to gain by trying CBD oil. There are no worries about side effects because cannabis is non-toxic. It only makes sense, if you or a loved one is suffering from a chronic disease to try the up-and-coming herb that’s being born again as a natural healer.

The seven-leafed wonder.
 
I really hope this anti aging stuff is real. We've been eating cannacaps with half cannatonic oil, and I mix cannatonic with high thc herbs for vaping. If fact just today I mixed buds of super silver haze, green crack, blue dream and cannatonic 4 for my daytime blend the next few days.
 
CBD-DRUG INTERACTIONS: ROLE OF CYTOCHROME P450
At sufficient dosages, CBD will temporarily deactivate cytochrome P450 enzymes, thereby altering how we metabolize a wide range of compounds.

With cannabidiol (CBD) poised to become widely available in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and herbal preparations, medical scientists are taking a closer look at CBD-drug interactions.
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Photo credit: Scientific Images
Cannabidiol is a safe, non-intoxicating, and non-addictive cannabis compound with significant therapeutic attributes, but CBD-drug interactions may be problematic in some cases.

CBD and other plant cannabinoids can potentially interact with many pharmaceuticals by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome P450, a family of liver enzymes. This key enzyme group metabolizes most of the drugs we consume, including more than 60 percent of marketed meds.

At sufficient dosages, CBD will temporarily deactivate cytochrome P450 enzymes, thereby altering how we metabolize a wide range of compounds, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes the high that cannabis is famous for.

Metabolizing THC
When THC or any other foreign compound enters the body, it is metabolized. This process is generally very complicated. Metabolizing something properly can involve multiple molecular pathways and various enzymes that enable the body to get rid of the compound (often done by adding something to the original compound). Or metabolism can entail breaking down a compound into a more basic molecule that the body then uses.

Products of a drug’s metabolism are called its metabolites. These metabolites can have very different properties than the initial drug. Ethanol, for example, owes some of its effects, including much of the hangover, to its two-step metabolism. The buildup of acetaldehyde in the liver—while ethanol is converted first to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid—is a major reason for ethanol’s liver toxicity and the nausea and vomiting caused by excessive consumption.

THC metabolites contribute significantly to the effects of cannabis consumption. Eleven-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), for example, is a THC metabolite that activates the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the brain and induces a high more potently than THC itself. This means that the body’s metabolism of THC can make it more potent.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes contribute to the metabolism of drugs by oxidizing them, which generally means incorporating an oxygen atom into the drug’s molecular structure. Oxidation will usually make a compound more water soluble and therefore easier for the kidneys to filter out. Both steps in the metabolism of ethanol, mentioned above, and the conversion of THC into 11-OH-THC involve oxidation (though ethanol is not oxidized specifically by cytochrome P450).

Different routes of cannabinoid administration have different effects. Inhaled THC enters capillaries in the lungs, passes into general circulation through the pulmonary arteries, and quickly crosses the blood-brain barrier. When ingested orally, however, THC is absorbed in the small intestine and then carried to the liver, where it is metabolized by subclasses of cytochrome P450 (abbreviated CYP), specifically the CYP2C and CYP3A enzymes.

These liver enzymes also metabolize CBD, converting it into 7-OH-CBD and 6-OH-CBD. But there has been relatively little research into the properties of these CBD metabolites.

Metabolizing CBD
The way CBD interacts with cytochrome P450 is pivotal; in essence, they deactivate each other. Preclinical research shows that CBD is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes while functioning as a “competitive inhibitor” of the same liver enzymes. By occupying the site of enzymatic activity, CBD displaces its chemical competitors and prevents cytochrome P450 from metabolizing other compounds.

The extent to which cannabidiol behaves as a competitive inhibitor of cytochrome P450 depends on how tightly CBD binds to the active site of the metabolic enzyme before and after oxidation. This can change greatly, depending on how—and how much—CBD is administered, the unique attributes of the individual taking this medication, and whether isolated CBD or a whole plant remedy is used.

If the dosage of cannabidiol is low enough, it will have no noticeable effect on CYP activity, but CBD may still exert other effects. There is no clearly established cut-off dose, below which CBD does not interact with other drugs. A 2013 report on a clinical trial using GW Pharmaceutical’s Sativex, a whole plant CBD-rich sublingual spray, found no interactions with CYP enzymes when approximately 40mg of CBD were administered. A subsequent clinical trial, however, found that 25mg of orally administered CBDsignificantly blocked the metabolism of an anti-epileptic drug.

How do CBD-generated changes in cytochrome P450 activity impact the metabolic breakdown of THC? Animal studies indicate that CBD pretreatment increases brain levels of THC. That’s because CBD, functioning as a competitive inhibitor of cytochrome P450, slows down the conversion of THC into its more potent metabolite, 11-OH-THC. Consequently, THC remains active for a longer duration, but the peak of the extended buzz is blunted somewhat under the influence of cannabidiol.

Other factors figure prominently in CBD’s ability to lessen or neutralize the THC high.

Grapefruit and Ganja
Lester Bornheim, a research pharmacologist at the University of California in San Francisco, was among the first scientists to study the metabolism of CBD. In 1987, he was awarded a NIDA grant to investigate the effects of phytocannabinoids on cytochrome P450 enzymes. THC and cannabinol (CBN) also inhibit CYPactivity, but CBD, of all the plant cannabinoids studied, is the strongest cytochrome P450 deactivator.

“It’s a very unusual enzyme. Almost all other enzymes are designed to fit a single substrate and carry out a single chemical process resulting in a single product,” Bornheim noted, whereas numerous drugs are substrates for cytochrome P450, which seems to function like a generic breakdown mechanism for a wide range of exogenous and endogenous substances.

In 1999, Bornheim addressed the annual gathering of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) and drew attention to the possibility that CBD could interfere with the metabolism of many medications. A year earlier, a team of Canadian scientists identified certain compounds in grapefruit that inhibit the expression of some cytochrome P450 enzymes—which is why physicians often warn patients not to eat grapefruit before taking their meds. CBD, it turns out, is a more potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 enzymes than the grapefruit compound Bergapten (the strongest of several grapefruit components that inhibit CYPs).

What does this mean in practical terms for a medical marijuana patient on a CBD-rich treatment regimen who takes a prescription blood-thinner like warfarin, for example? CBD reduces the enzymatic degradation of warfarin, thereby increasing its duration of action and effect. A person taking a CBD-rich product should pay close attention to changes in blood levels of warfarin, and adjust dosage accordingly as instructed by their doctor.

Cancer and Epilepsy
In cancer treatment, the precise dosing of chemotherapy is extremely important; doctors often struggle to find the maximum dose that will not be catastrophically toxic. Many chemotherapy agents are oxidized by CYPs before their inactivation or excretion. This means that for patients using CBD, the same dose of chemotherapy may produce higher blood concentrations. If CBD inhibits the cytochrome-mediated metabolism of the chemotherapy and dosage adjustments aren’t made, the chemotherapy agent could accumulate within the body to highly toxic levels.

By and large, however, there have been few reported adverse cannabinoid-drug interactions among the many cancer patients who use cannabis to cope with the wrenching side effects of chemotherapy. It is possible that whole plant cannabis, with its rich compensatory synergies, interacts differently than the isolated CBD that is administered in most research settings. As well, the cytoprotective effects of the cannabinoids may mitigate some of the chemotherapeutic toxicity.

Some epileptic patients have encountered issues with how CBD interacts with their anti-seizure medication. A small clinical study at Massachusetts General Hospital involving children with refractory epilepsy found that CBD elevated the plasma levels and increased the long-term blood concentrations of clobazam, an anticonvulsant, and norclobazam, an active metabolite of this medication. A majority of these children needed to have their dose of clobazam reduced due to side effects. Given that both clobazam and CBD are metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, a drug-drug interaction is not surprising. Published in May 2015, the study concluded that “CBD is a safe and effective treatment of refractory epilepsy in patients receiving [clobazam].” But the report also emphasized the importance of monitoring blood levels for clobazam and norclobazam in patients using both CBD and clobazam.

Dr. Bonni Goldstein has observed cases in which small doses of high-CBD/low-THC cannabis oil concentrate seemed to aggravate seizure disorders rather than quell them. How could this happen, given CBD’s renown anti-epileptic properties?

A 1992 review by Lester Bornheim and his colleagues indicated that CBD inhibits some cytochrome P450enzymes at smaller doses than what is required for CBD to exert an anti-epileptic effect. This means that a certain dose of CBD could alter the processing of an anti-epileptic drug taken by the patient, but this amount of CBD might not be enough to provide any anti-epileptic relief itself. The advice some physicians offer in this situation may seem counterintuitive: Increase the dose of CBD—perhaps even add a little more THC (or THCA, the raw, unheated, non-psychoactive version of THC)—and this may be more effective for seizure control.

Enigmatic Enzymes
But why would preventing the breakdown of an anti-epileptic drug reduce its effect? There are a number of possible answers, depending on the drug in question. The active component of the drug (the chemical that exerts an anti-epileptic effect) may be a breakdown product of the actual drug taken. So, by slowing the metabolism of the original drug, CBD would make that drug less active.

Other explanations are conceivable. For example, if the activity of certain CYPs is slowed, the drug may be broken down by another metabolic pathway, the products of which could then interfere with the drug’s activity. Or perhaps the inhibition of CYPs is not the predominant way that CBD interacts with certain anti-epileptic medications.

To complicate matters even further, a presentation by Dr. Kazuhito Watanabe at the 2015 International Cannabinoid Research Society meeting in Nova Scotia disclosed preliminary evidence that cannabidiol may “induce”—meaning amplify the activity of—some cytochrome P450 enzymes. (Induction of a protein involves increasing the transcription of its corresponding mRNA, which leads to greater synthesis of the protein.) This suggests that CBD can either increase or decrease the breakdown of other drugs. Again, it depends on the drug in question and the dosages used.

Any pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or green rush scheme to exploit the therapeutic potential of CBD must reckon with the fact that cannabidiol can both inactivate and enhance various cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver—and this can potentially impact a wide range of medications. Drug interactions are especially important to consider when using life-saving or sense-saving drugs, drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, or medications with major adverse side effects. In particular, those who utilize high doses of CBDconcentrates and isolates should keep this in mind when mixing remedies.

Adrian Devitt-Lee is a senior at Tufts University, studying mathematics and chemistry.

Learn More:

AED Potential Interactions with CBD

Copyright, Project CBD. May not be reprinted without permission.

Sources
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CBD treats paranoia and hallucinations, research finds


Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid found in marijuana, now appears to be a promising form of treatment for patients with psychosis, according to a new double-blind study.

The study, recently published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, administered either 1000 milligrams of CBD or placebo to 88 patients with psychosis. After six weeks, the volunteers who received CBD showed lower levels of “positive” psychotic symptoms such as delusions, paranoia and hallucinations. They also showed improvements in their cognitive performance and overall functioning, although these improvements were minor.

Dr. Philip McGuire, the study’s lead author and a Professor of Psychiatry & Cognitive Neuroscience at King’s College London, told Herb that it is possible that cannabidiol could replace current antipsychotic medications for some patients.

“At present, because CBD is a relatively new drug, clinicians might be cautious about using it instead of a well-established treatment like antipsychotic medication. This was one reason why we started by assessing it as an adjunctive or add-on to conventional treatment. However, if trials of CBD as a monotherapy are positive it would be reasonable to consider using it alone, particularly in patients in whom antipsychotic medication hadn’t worked,” McGuire said.

Psychosis is a severe mental disorder affecting one in 13 people over the course of their lifetime, according to some estimates. Those with psychosis often experience mental and emotional impairment, paranoia and a general sense of disconnectedness with reality. Psychosis can also result from alcohol or drug abuse.

Schizophrenia is one of the most common forms of psychosis, affecting more than 21 million people globally. Bipolar disorder is another common form of psychosis, affecting nearly six million adults in America alone.

The study says that cannabidiol has previously been shown to have antipsychotic properties in animal and human research. The researchers aimed to establish in this latest trial “the safety and effectiveness” of using CBD to treat patients with schizophrenia—which it did.

These findings may be surprising to those who have long read about the connection between marijuana use and the development of schizophrenia, particularly among adolescent marijuana users. This discrepancy is due to the difference between CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which are both cannabinoids found in marijuana. One of the main differences between the two cannabinoids is that THC produces psychoactive effects, while cannabidiol does not.

In other words, consuming CBD alone will not make users feel “high.” THC, on the other hand, is responsible for producing feelings of anxiety and altering one’s mental state, which has been linked to psychosis. In many ways, CBD and THC produce opposite effects among users.

The United Nations’ health agency, the World Health Organization, recently released a report concluding that CBD should not be classified because it has “therapeutic value” and does not demonstrate a potential for abuse. Cannabidiol has shown promise as a treatment for anxiety, epileptic seizures, and chronic pain, among other conditions. However, CBD remains classified as a Schedule I drug with “no medical use” in the United States because it is derived from the cannabis plant.

“CBD is a major area of research for our group in London. We have recently completed a trial of CBD in people at clinical high risk for psychosis, which also had positive results,” McGuire said. “Another study is investigating whether the adverse effects of cannabis can be reduced by manipulating its CBD content.”




 
A Single Dose of CBD Reduces Blood Pressure

CBD acts on blood vessels and regulatory brain centers to reduce hypertension.
Over the past decade, therapeutic use cannabinoids, particularly ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) has been the focus of much research. Now, this research could benefit patients with high blood pressure.

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According to the most recent estimates by the American Heart Association, 34% of adults and 11% of children are hypertensive (suffer from high blood pressure), which is the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide.

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In fact, a recent study conducted in 9 healthy males, a single dose of CBD resulted in reduction of systolic blood pressure both at rest and when the subjects were exposed to cold stress. These are promising results in the area of cardiovascular research given the healthcare burden of hypertension and associated co-morbidities.

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CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antiemetic, antioxidant and antipsychotic properties. However, due to the scarcity of available preclinical and clinical studies, little is known about its potential anti-hypertensive effects. If we consider the regulatory mechanisms of blood pressure we can realize that the already existing properties of CBD are likely to benefit hypertensive patients.

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Broadly speaking, the regulatory mechanisms of blood pressure are located in the brain and in the walls of blood vessels. A particular center in the brain called paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is involved in increasing blood pressure due to various stimuli, and when not controlled properly, results in pathological increases in blood pressure, such as hypertension.

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Preclinical studies in rats have shown that a particular cell type called microglia are activated in the PVN in hypertension, and they produce various molecules that contribute to local inflammation. CBD has been shown to prevent the activation of microglia and to reduce local inflammation via binding to Abn-CBD-sensitive receptor as well as to reduce oxidative stress. Such curtailing of migroglia activation by CBD would not only result in neuroprotection, but also in reduction of blood pressure via normalized control in the PVN.

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Another site of regulation of blood pressure for which CBD could be used therapeutically is the lining of the blood vessels, called the endothelium. This inner most layer of cells that is in contact with the blood has the capacity to constrict or dilate blood vessels thus increasing or decreasing blood pressure, respectively.

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In hypertension, the ability of the endothelium to function properly is impaired, the blood vessels become stiffer, which further perpetuates the hypertension. Loss of regulatory substances such as nitric oxide occurs, and increase in pro-inflammatory molecules and oxidative stress ensues. CBD, with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties is thus expected to improve endothelial function and restore proper control of blood pressure, greatly benefiting hypertensive patients.

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The therapeutic utility of CBD is a relatively new area of investigation that will likely yield exciting discoveries in the area of inflammation and oxidative stress which underlie many human diseases, most notably hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The direct effect of CBD on the brain center that regulates blood pressure in animals is very promising, as is its effect on the vasculature, underlining the therapeutic potential of CBD as a phytocannabinoid of choice for treatment of hypertension.

 
Why People Use CBD for Digestive Problems
Try CBD For Stomach & Improve Your Digestive System
Overview:
Cannabinoids have long been regarded as potential therapeutic agents for various conditions. Specifically, they show promise for conditions resulting from dysfunction of the immune system such as unresolved inflammation that leads to tissue damage. In particular, many individuals have claimed to use cannabinoids, in the form of various cannabis-based products, to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and reduced appetite. They also have been used for a similar, but much more serious condition, known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Despite their well-known analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, the psychoactive effects of the THC found in many cannabis-based products have impeded their use as the go-to therapeutic agent for idiopathic conditions, and have prompted healthcare providers to approach the use of these compounds with cautious apprehension.

Nonetheless, through extensive research, scientists have cultivated an interest in the use of cannabidiol, another cannabinoid, as a promising therapeutic agent for digestive disorders due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties and its lack of psychotropic effects. The following article will review in detail some studies regarding the use of CBD for digestive disorders, as well as the possible benefits and side effects of the clinical use of CBD.



Why we need an alternative
In the last century, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has become an epidemiologically important condition affecting many individuals around the world. Many doctors write it off as a psychosomatic issue, due to a notable lack of diagnosable changes to the structure of the digestive tract. As the name suggests, it involves irritability of the bowel; uncontrollable stomach aches. Many individuals suffer frequent bowel movements and diarrhea, and are unable to plan their life around the schedule of their gut.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), while similar in pronunciation to IBS, is much more severe, and much more concrete. Inflammatory bowel diseases include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Thus, IBD does not represent one condition, but instead is used as an umbrella term for any disease state that primarily causes inflammation of the digestive tract.

Crohn’s disease results in inflammation through the entire thickness of the digestive lining, and usually presents in cycles, with asymptomatic periods followed by periods of intense pain, fatigue, lack of appetite, and ulcers through the entire length of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. UC is similar, but generally confined to the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

The current “best practices” for treating IBD often entail the use of drugs with names you probably couldn’t pronounce which aim to reduce inflammation by inhibiting certain inflammatory mechanisms in the gut or clearing out recurrent infections.

Although these treatments have been used for some time now, they are still largely ineffective for reducing or eliminating common IBD symptoms, and their toxicity profile is often questioned by patients and physicians alike. For this same reason, medical researchers are seeking therapeutic agents that provide symptomatic relief without severe risks associated with long-term use. According to a review of CBD for inflammatory bowel disease, drugs such as steroids are indicated for use in flare-ups and acute inflammation: these drugs are not intended for intermediate- or long-term use due to the adverse reactions they cause.

Other less common biologic drugs like Adalimumab (Humira) are identical to the antibodies that our own cells (should) have, which mark our native cells so that our immune system knows they’re a friend, not a foe like a germ or virus that needs to be isolated and removed. Humira and other drugs like it inhibit a specific chemical released by the immune system called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and may be successful at treating IBD that is resistant to steroids.

However, because of their inhibition of an important anti-tumor cytokine, these drugs increase the risk that a patient develops blood cancer. Therefore, physicians usually refrain from using these kinds of drugs, which have a very high risk to benefit ratio and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

While pharmaceutical companies are spending billions creating drugs that increase your risk of blood cancer by an order of magnitude, more and more researchers have joined the push to study the effects of cannabinoids as an alternative. Cannabinoids, like CBD, are compounds that act on your endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, present in the central nervous system and the immune system, respectively. It is their action on CB2 receptors in gut epithelial cells (part of the immune system that forms all barriers between our body and the outside world) that interests researchers trying to understand the mechanisms by which cannabinoids induce their anti-inflammatory effects against IBS and IBD alike.

Recent research on cannabinoids and their activity in the gut has suggested that they may be useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction including infections, chronic inflammation, and problems of intestinal motility. Other studies have linked endocannabinoids (compounds produced within the body that activate cannabinoid receptors) to selective, limited inhibition of various inflammatory cytokines such as interleukins, TNF-alpha, and even nitric oxide, a vasodilator that widens blood vessels to allow blood to flood a region and produce inflammation. This finding infers that if endocannabinoid activation of cannabinoid receptors is our body’s way of inhibiting the immune system and decreasing inflammation, then activating these same receptors with phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced in plants, like CBD) might confer the same benefits.

Aside from CBD, other cannabinoids have been subject to research including cannabichromene (CBC) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC has been noted for its interaction with CB1 receptors in the gut and its protectivity against inflammation and motility issues. Cannabichromene has been noted for its ability to restore normal motility function in the smooth musculature of the gut, and to balance the microbiota that aids in our digestion. Moreover, researchers have also studied whether providing these cannabinoids in combination with each other may increase the anti-inflammatory and other effects through synergistic mechanisms, known as the entourage effect. This is especially of interest in the pairing of CBD and THC for IBS symptoms in animal models.

Finally, other studies have looked at whether providing cannabinoids along with pharmaceutical treatments (glucocorticosteroids, antibiotics, biologics etc.) may help in the ways mentioned above in addition to reducing the risk profile of “conventional” drugs. It is not surprising that some patients have opted out of using traditional pharmaceutical treatments for their IBS symptoms and have instead started a regimen of cannabinoids, both under the recommendation of a doctor and as a form of self-medication. A report on Cannabis use among patients with inflammatory bowel disease states that between one third and one half of individuals suffering from IBS have used cannabis for relief.

While THC is the only cannabinoid that directly activates CB1 receptors, and thus the only cannabinoid which causes the typical signs of cannabis intoxication (euphoria, anxiety, as well as motor, cognitive, and memory impairments), it is the most abundant cannabinoid found in cannabis thanks to selective breeding as a result of prohibition. This explains why the majority of cannabis-based treatments, the vast majority of which include THC, are not commonly recommended by physicians and often do not advance to the clinical stage of testing despite their success in preclinical studies. Hence, CBD and products with no to negligible amounts of THC have been proposed as a solution to this problem.

CBD: is it the solution?
In the early 2000s, an overview of the pharmacological aspects of CBD pointed out that CBD does not have psychoactive effects, and that it instead essentially recalibrates the endocannabinoid system, a system that controls many biological activities, including digestion. CBD has been considered the most promising of all cannabinoids and Cannabis constituents for clinical use due to its considerable therapeutic properties coupled with its lack of any psychotropic effects.

CBD’s efficacy as an anti-inflammatory agent has been traced to its ability to extensively inhibit chemotaxis and proliferation of white blood cells in animal models, as well as to inhibit an enzyme, COX-2, which produces the first signal in the chemical cascade that triggers prostaglandin-mediated inflammation, the most common type of inflammation (the same mechanism as NSAIDs, like Advil and Aleve). White blood cells (neutrophils) are cells of the innate immune system that are mainly responsible for migrating to areas of tissue damage and producing an immune response against potential germs or injury, by releasing the prostaglandins that CBD and NSAIDs inhibit.

The job of a neutrophil also includes calling on the other cells of the immune system to create a complete, effective, and long-lasting response to repair the damaged tissue and protect against future invaders. It does this by releasing cytokines that attract the secondary immune cells (a process known as chemotaxis; literally “movement of a cell toward a chemical”) and increase blood flow to the area of damage. However, an improper response from neutrophils and other immune cells can create a perpetual state of inflammation that does more harm than good.

Even though CBD shows to be a truly revolutionary compound, there is still much research to be done on the long term effects of its usage. In addition, research is needed regarding routes of administration (oral, sublingual, etc.). Dose-response studies must be performed to elucidate at what concentrations CBD is most effective, as it generally follows a bell-shaped curve with neither low or high doses being as effective as a range in the middle that produces the greatest response. This research will advance existing knowledge on the relationship between CBD and digestive disorders, which will ultimately encourage common-sense legislation governing the use of CBD as a therapeutic agent for conditions of many varieties.
 
This article underlines the importance of knowing the source of your cannabis products.

52 people sickened by fake CBD oil in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. health officials are urging states to regulate marijuanaoil extracts after investigating a rash of illnesses tied to the products in Utah. In a report released Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that synthetic products falsely labeled as cannabidiol, or CBD, sickened as many as 52 people from October through January.

The CDC urged states to set up regulatory and control systems "to minimize the risk for recurrences of this emerging public health threat."

CBD is derived from cannabis but is designed not to produce a high. Users say it provides relief from pain and can fight seizures.

This year, Utah passed a new law that supporters say will prevent the illnesses from happening again.

The oil had previously been in a legal gray area. It's been legal for people with epilepsy in Utah since 2014, but there is no regulatory system to oversee the oil's safety.

Bottles labeled as CBD have edged their way into Utah smoke shops and health food stores in recent years. Sales to the general public have been technically illegal but largely ignored by authorities.

"It's been a little bit of a don't ask, don't tell kind of a business," said Jack Wilbur, a spokesman for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

There's been no way for consumers to know if products are what they claim to be, he said.

The CDC report this week found that more than half of the 52 possible cases either tested positive for a synthetic compound called 4-CCB or reporting using a product called Yolo CBD Oil, samples of which contained the synthetic instead of authentic CBD. Efforts to determine what company manufactures Yolo CBD Oil were not successful.

Lt. Ryan Van Fleet, head of major crimes in the State Bureau of Investigation, said no charges were filed or stores were raided based on the illnesses.

This year, the state Legislature passed reforms legalizing CBD for the general public and creating a system to register and test products for quality.

"It does make it legal for people to purchase it," said state Sen. Evan Vickers, a Republican pharmacist who sponsored the new law. "We just want to make sure that if they are going to purchase it that it is safe."

Vickers said the new law should prevent people from taking synthetics falsely marketed as CBD.

Utah is currently writing regulations to implement the law, Wilbur said. He expected rules to be finalized by the end of the year.

Nationally, 30 states have legalized some form of medical marijuana and 16 others have laws on CBD-specific medical treatment, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But rules for dispensing and manufacturing CBD vary widely.

Marijuana activists have said Utah's new law is not enough. They're pushing a ballot initiative that will legalize medical marijuana beyond the narrow limits approved by state lawmakers this year, which allows use only for terminally ill patients.

"These people having problems with CBD oil is 100 percent a side effect of prohibition," said Angela Bacca, a media strategist working with advocacy group TRUCE Utah.

Bacca says keeping most forms of cannabis illegal makes people desperate for treatment they can only find through unregulated products.

The Utah lieutenant governor's office will certify by June 1 whether the initiative can reach the ballot.

Opponents including Vickers and the Republican Gov. Gay Herbert have said the proposal is full of loopholes that could make marijuana too easy to obtain.
 
And some more CBD information...

What Is the GPR55 Receptor and Why Is It Important in CBD’s Benefits?

Most people who have dipped their toe in cannabis science understand that cannabinoids like THC and CBD bind to traditional cannabinoid type I and II (CB1 and CB2) receptors. However, these are not the only receptors that cannabinoids target.


A “newly discovered” target called GPR55 has emerged as a major contributor to many of cannabis' actions in the brain and body.
CBD in particular has a wide range of therapeutic benefits because of its numerous targets other than CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the brain and body. For instance, it reduces anxiety by boosting the brain’s serotonin system, and CBD activation of TRPV1channels helps reduce pain. But a “newly discovered” target called the G-protein coupled receptor 55, commonly referred to as GPR55, has emerged as a major contributor to many of cannabis’ actions in the brain and body, including CBD’s benefits in preventing seizures and combating cancerous tumors.



The Discovery of GPR55
GPR55 was first identified in 1999. At the time, no one knew what its function was or how it was activated. But in 2007, it was revealed that CBD and other cannabinoids can affect its activity. Both the high-inducing chemical, THC, and the endogenous cannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG, can activate GPR55. CBD, on the other hand, blocks GPR55 activity. All of these cannabinoid actions on GPR55 has made some in the research community consider it as a novel cannabinoid receptor and perhaps the third in the set (i.e., CB3).

There hasn’t been a firm commitment to this new nomenclature. GPR55 only shares 14% similar identity to CB1 and CB2 receptors (for comparison, CB1 and CB2 are 64% similar), and looks a bit differentfrom CB1 and CB2 receptors in the region that interacts with cannabinoids, creating some controversy over how certain cannabinoids affect GPR55. But nonetheless, it seems to have an important role in the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, particularly CBD.



GPR55’s Role in Epilepsy
CBD has emerged as a promising anti-epileptic treatment strategy in seizure disorders that don’t respond well to traditional medications. In cases like Dravet syndrome, mutations in DNA cause a reduction in the level of brain inhibition which manifests as epileptic seizures. (You may have heard of Charlotte Figi, the young girl with Dravet syndrome whose seizures were successfully treated with CBD-rich cannabis and is now the namesake of the popular Charlotte’s Web.)

Despite the exciting anecdotal and clinical trials demonstrating CBD’s effectiveness, they don’t reveal how the drug works. To understand the mechanism by which CBD may reduce seizures, our research team tested a genetic mouse model of Dravet syndrome. We revealed that CBD restores brain inhibition and reduces seizures largely by blocking the activity of GPR55 in the hippocampus, a critical brain region for seizure activity.



GPR55 and Cancer
GPR55 has an increasingly appreciated role in cancer. Because of GPR55’s novelty, many of these studies are in their early stages and haven’t been translated to animals or humans yet.

However, in verified cell lines—which is often the first stage of cancer research—GPR55 activation is thought to have pro-tumor effects while blockade of GPR55 activity (i.e., the effects of CBD) has anti-tumor effects in colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and brain cancer. CBD’s direct effect on these cancers remains an exciting yet untested future direction of cancer research.



GPR55 and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is the inflammation of the colon and intestines. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common, and patients who suffer from these diseases have elevated GPR55 levels. This suggests that GPR55 may be having a pro-inflammatory role in the intestines. Indeed, blocking GPR55 activity in mice reduces gastrointestinal inflammation, perhaps underlying why CBD is becoming an increasingly popular treatment strategy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

CBD’s blockage of GPR55 activity may also contribute to its ability to reduce inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Mice that are genetically unable to produce GPR55 receptors have lower levels of inflammation, inflammation-induced pain, and neuropathic pain after nerve constriction.



How Does GPR55 Affect Cells?
GPR55 is a member of the class of receptors called metabotropicreceptors. When these receptors are activated, they lead to a variety of downstream effects in the cell that often depend on what cell type is being tested. For GPR55, the extent of these downstream actions remains unclear across different cell types.

But because of its therapeutic relevance in CBD’s effects, it is a burgeoning area of scientific investigation which will provide an even stronger foundation for CBD’s medicinal benefits. You’ll undoubtedly be hearing more about GPR55 in the future!

 
And some more CBD information...

What Is the GPR55 Receptor and Why Is It Important in CBD’s Benefits?

Most people who have dipped their toe in cannabis science understand that cannabinoids like THC and CBD bind to traditional cannabinoid type I and II (CB1 and CB2) receptors. However, these are not the only receptors that cannabinoids target.


A “newly discovered” target called GPR55 has emerged as a major contributor to many of cannabis' actions in the brain and body.
CBD in particular has a wide range of therapeutic benefits because of its numerous targets other than CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the brain and body. For instance, it reduces anxiety by boosting the brain’s serotonin system, and CBD activation of TRPV1channels helps reduce pain. But a “newly discovered” target called the G-protein coupled receptor 55, commonly referred to as GPR55, has emerged as a major contributor to many of cannabis’ actions in the brain and body, including CBD’s benefits in preventing seizures and combating cancerous tumors.



The Discovery of GPR55
GPR55 was first identified in 1999. At the time, no one knew what its function was or how it was activated. But in 2007, it was revealed that CBD and other cannabinoids can affect its activity. Both the high-inducing chemical, THC, and the endogenous cannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG, can activate GPR55. CBD, on the other hand, blocks GPR55 activity. All of these cannabinoid actions on GPR55 has made some in the research community consider it as a novel cannabinoid receptor and perhaps the third in the set (i.e., CB3).

There hasn’t been a firm commitment to this new nomenclature. GPR55 only shares 14% similar identity to CB1 and CB2 receptors (for comparison, CB1 and CB2 are 64% similar), and looks a bit differentfrom CB1 and CB2 receptors in the region that interacts with cannabinoids, creating some controversy over how certain cannabinoids affect GPR55. But nonetheless, it seems to have an important role in the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, particularly CBD.



GPR55’s Role in Epilepsy
CBD has emerged as a promising anti-epileptic treatment strategy in seizure disorders that don’t respond well to traditional medications. In cases like Dravet syndrome, mutations in DNA cause a reduction in the level of brain inhibition which manifests as epileptic seizures. (You may have heard of Charlotte Figi, the young girl with Dravet syndrome whose seizures were successfully treated with CBD-rich cannabis and is now the namesake of the popular Charlotte’s Web.)

Despite the exciting anecdotal and clinical trials demonstrating CBD’s effectiveness, they don’t reveal how the drug works. To understand the mechanism by which CBD may reduce seizures, our research team tested a genetic mouse model of Dravet syndrome. We revealed that CBD restores brain inhibition and reduces seizures largely by blocking the activity of GPR55 in the hippocampus, a critical brain region for seizure activity.



GPR55 and Cancer
GPR55 has an increasingly appreciated role in cancer. Because of GPR55’s novelty, many of these studies are in their early stages and haven’t been translated to animals or humans yet.

However, in verified cell lines—which is often the first stage of cancer research—GPR55 activation is thought to have pro-tumor effects while blockade of GPR55 activity (i.e., the effects of CBD) has anti-tumor effects in colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and brain cancer. CBD’s direct effect on these cancers remains an exciting yet untested future direction of cancer research.



GPR55 and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is the inflammation of the colon and intestines. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common, and patients who suffer from these diseases have elevated GPR55 levels. This suggests that GPR55 may be having a pro-inflammatory role in the intestines. Indeed, blocking GPR55 activity in mice reduces gastrointestinal inflammation, perhaps underlying why CBD is becoming an increasingly popular treatment strategy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

CBD’s blockage of GPR55 activity may also contribute to its ability to reduce inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Mice that are genetically unable to produce GPR55 receptors have lower levels of inflammation, inflammation-induced pain, and neuropathic pain after nerve constriction.



How Does GPR55 Affect Cells?
GPR55 is a member of the class of receptors called metabotropicreceptors. When these receptors are activated, they lead to a variety of downstream effects in the cell that often depend on what cell type is being tested. For GPR55, the extent of these downstream actions remains unclear across different cell types.

But because of its therapeutic relevance in CBD’s effects, it is a burgeoning area of scientific investigation which will provide an even stronger foundation for CBD’s medicinal benefits. You’ll undoubtedly be hearing more about GPR55 in the future!
I wish it did something significant for me, but CBD is just not that effective for my neuropathic pain. Dunno why, but I don't seem to get the response that others refer to.
 

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