What is cannabidiol?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most important cannabinoid found in Cannabis Sativa and it is found primarily in the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant.

CBD has no psychotropic effects on human organism, differently from THC. According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential”. Cannabidiol is a legal substance and could be used also during sports activity, since it is not declared as doping.

Is CBD useful for health?

CBD has a very broad spectrum of action related to health issues, making it an innovative agent for the treatment of different conditions, such as inflammation, chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, skin discomforts (acne, psoriasis and dermatitis).

One of the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).

Moreover, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of CBD.

The importance of endocannabinoid system for our health

The human body has a very important system, made essentially by a large network of receptors (CB1 and CB2, but other receptors are involved), ligands (endocannabinoids, such as anandamide & 2-AG) and enzymes, the so-called Endocannabinoid System.
Even if it is still unknown, it is now clear that the endocannabinoid system evolved almost 600 million years ago.

The purpose of this system is to help our body reach balance and, consequently, to maintain a good overall health, improving immune system, mood, sleep, relax, inflammatory processes and pain development.

Unfortunately, actual daily life brings endocannabinoid system very easily to throw out of balance. Stress levels, diet, drug’s abuse and exercise, all this influences our body’s Endocannabinoid System.

How does CBD work in our organism?

CBD and other cannabinoids fit into the receptors of the Endocannabinoid System, helping the body to maintain a good health state and supporting many of the body’s physiological processes.

Most cannabinoids can bind to both types of receptors of our endocannabinoid system – CB1 and CB2. This is true for both the endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids, like THC.

However, the phytocannabinoid CBD does not directly trigger either receptor. Instead, it modifies the receptors’ ability to bind to cannabinoids. CBD, in fact, has a multimodal pharmacologic profile, since literature reports action on GPR55, glycine receptor, TRPV1 and other. It explains the broad spectrum of action cannabidiol has.

Additionally, CBD plays a larger role in the endocannabinoid system: influencing other types of receptors, while also enhancing your natural levels of endocannabinoids acting through certain enzymes.

CBD & sport

Mens sana in corpore sano. CBD shows beneficial effects also in sport, in particular thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Many athletes use it to relieve pains and speed up muscles recovery in case of efforts. It is also known for its neuroprotective action. Moreover, it provides relief to muscles after intense and/or repetitive activities that cause physical stress.

It is indicated in cycling, running, boxing and many other sports. It has been demonstrated that CBD improves sleep, which is essential for athletes!

For what is CBD suggested?

It is highly antioxidant and an excellent “ally” of the body in many situations in which we have to deal with inflammations. Dozens of studies have shown the efficacy of cannabidiol in the treatment of many conditions (figure 1).

In medicine, CBD has proved to be effective to treat a number of medical conditions such as chronic pains, migraines, inflammations and arthritis, skin diseases, spasms and epilepsy, schizophrenia and much more.

Recent studies found out that CBD helps to reduce psychotropic, toxic and physical effects of THC (such as tachycardia).

Properties of cannabidiol

Overview of diseases for which CBD may have therapeutic benefits

Taken by “CANNABIDIOL (CBD) Pre-Review Report”
Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (Geneva, 6-11 November 2017)