Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol is a phenolic compound, which has a six carbon ring bonded to a hydroxyl unit. It is in a group called cannabinoids, that are found in the marijuana plant. At least 65 different cannabinoids have been found, but the two most commonly known are tetrahydracannabinol, or THC, which gives marijuana its psychoactive properties, and cannabidiol, which does not have psychoactive properties, but is a powerful phytonutrient. There are two main types of marijuana, the type known for its psychoactive properties, which is high in TCH and low in cannabidiol, and the type used for its fibrous properties, known as hemp. Hemp is low in THC, so won't get you high, but it is high in cannabidiol. Incidentally, cannabidiol blocks the effects of THC. Hemp grows in more temperate climates than high THC marijuana, and is used industrially for such things as textiles, nutritional products, mulch, paper, building materials, rope, bird seed, animal bedding, and more.
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, has many medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, relieving convulsions, anxiety and nausea, inhibiting cancer cell growth and treating schizophrenia.
Epileptics who were not getting relief from drugs currently prescribed showed improvement in studies with cannabidiol. Also, insomniacs reported better sleep when taking cannabidiol, although it may go too far and induce somnolence, or excessive sleepiness. No reports of toxicity have been found in studies with cannabidiol. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published a study in 1981 on effects of cannabidiol on epilepsy. Raphael Mechoulam has worked with cannabidiol research for 45 years, and gave a talk at the International Association of Cannabis as Medicine meeting at Cologne in 2007. He discussed the effects of cannabidiol on epilepsy, diabetes, nausea and insomnia.
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science published an article in 2008 showing cannabidiol has been shown to block diabetes and endotoxin-induced retinal damage, although the mechanism by which this happens is still not understood. Studies have shown that cannabidiol relieves inflammation from arthritis and intestinal inflammation in mice and rats.
Cannabidiol has been shown to inhibit aggressive breast cancer cells, as shown in studies cited in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, November 2007. In January of 2010 Molecular Cancer Therapeutics published a study showing that cannabidiol and THC work together in to induce apoptosis (cell death signal) and inhibit cell cycles on human brain cancer cells. Studies have also shown that cannabidiol can halt the spread of lung, skin, prostate and and pancreatic cancers.
Unfortunately the United States doesn't allow cultivation of hemp, because it is lumped in the same family as marijuana, even though it is not a psychoactive plant and you can't grow it along with marijuana. (This is because the hemp will pollinate the marijuana and make the marijuana less potent.) Over 30 other countries, including Canada, do allow hemp to be grown. It is legal to sell hemp food products in the United States, such as hemp oil, hemp seed, hemp milk and hemp protein, and these are a good way to add cannabidiol to your diet.
The information on this page is not meant to be used in treatment of medical conditions. Please seek the advice of a physician about any medical condition or symptom. Those with medical conditions should consult a medical professional about the appropriateness of taking dietary supplements or diet therapy, and how these methods will interact with their medications.
LINKS
North American Industrial Hemp Council
Nutiva sells deliciously healthy hemp foods, and has lots of information about hemp.
Hemp Oil Canada