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Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical in the Cannabis sativa plant, also known as cannabis or hemp. One specific form of CBD is approved as a drug in the U.S. for seizure.
Over 80 chemicals, known as cannabinoids, have been found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most famous ingredient in cannabis. But CBD is obtained from hemp, a form of the Cannabis sativa plant that only contains small amounts of THC. CBD seems to have effects on some chemicals in the brain, but these are different than the effects of THC.
A prescription form of CBD is used for seizure disorder (epilepsy). CBD is also used for anxiety, pain, a muscle disorder called dystonia, Parkinson disease, Crohn disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Laws passed in 2018 made it legal to sell hemp and hemp products in the US. But that doesn't mean that all CBD products made from hemp are legal. Since CBD is an approved prescription drug, it can't be legally included in foods or dietary supplements. CBD can only be included in "cosmetic" products. But there are still CBD products on the market that are labeled as dietary supplements. The amount of CBD contained in these products is not always the same as what is stated on the label.
- Epilepsy. A specific prescription cannabidiol product, Epidiolex (GW Pharmaceuticals), is FDA-approved for use in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex. It is unclear if other cannabidiol products are beneficial for these conditions.
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- Alcohol use disorder. It is unclear if smoked cannabis with a high concentration of cannabidiol is beneficial for reducing alcohol use in patients with alcohol use disorder.
Login for details - Atopic dermatitis (eczema). It is unclear if topical cannabidiol is beneficial for reducing eczema symptoms.
Login for details - Bipolar disorder. Login for details
- Cannabis use disorder. It is unclear if oral cannabidiol is beneficial for reducing cannabis use in patients with cannabis use disorder.
Login for details - Crohn Disease. A small clinical study suggests that low doses of cannabidiol are not beneficial for this condition.
Login for details - Diabetes. A small clinical study suggests that cannabidiol is not beneficial for improving glycemic control.
Login for details - Dystonia. It is unclear if oral cannabidiol is beneficial for dystonia of various etiologies.
Login for details - Essential tremor. It is unclear if oral cannabidiol is beneficial in adults with this condition.
Login for details - Exercise-induced muscle damage. It is unclear if oral cannabidiol helps to reduce muscle damage from exercise in untrained males.
Login for details - Fragile X syndrome. It is unclear if topical cannabidiol is beneficial in children with this condition.
Login for details - Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). It is unclear if cannabidiol prevents or delays GVHD.
Login for details - Huntington disease. It is unclear if oral cannabidiol is beneficial for this condition.
Login for details - Insomnia. Login for details
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is unclear if oral cannabidiol is beneficial for improving pain in IBS.
Login for details - Multiple sclerosis (MS). A small clinical study suggests that oral cannabidiol improves pain and spasticity in patients with MS.
Login for details - Obesity. It is unclear if an oral cannabidiol-rich hemp oil extract helps to improve weight loss.
Login for details - Opioid withdrawal. It is unclear if cannabidiol is beneficial for reducing cravings associated with heroin use disorder.
Login for details - Pain (acute). Small clinical studies suggest that a single dose of oral cannabidiol does not reduce acute pain.
Login for details - Pain (chronic). It is unclear if oral cannabidiol is beneficial for chronic pain.
Login for details - Parkinson disease. It is unclear if cannabidiol is beneficial for improving symptoms or reducing psychosis in adults with this condition.
Login for details - Peripheral neuropathy. Oral cannabidiol has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Psychological well-being. It is unclear if an oral cannabidiol-rich hemp oil extract improves psychological well-being in healthy patients.
Login for details - Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD). It is unclear if oral cannabidiol is beneficial for the management of Parkinson disease-related RBD.
Login for details - Schizophrenia. Small clinical studies suggest that oral cannabidiol may modestly reduce symptoms and improve wellbeing in patients with schizophrenia or schizophreniform psychosis.
Login for details - Smoking cessation. It is unclear if cannabidiol helps to reduce cravings for cigarettes in patients attempting to quit smoking.
Login for details - Social anxiety disorder. Small clinical studies suggest that cannabidiol might be modestly beneficial for reducing overall anxiety or anxiety during public speaking. However, research is conflicting.
Login for details - Temporomandibular disorders (TMD). A small clinical study suggests that topical cannabidiol may reduce TMD pain.
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When taken by mouth: CBD is possibly safe to take in appropriate doses. Doses of up to 200 mg daily have been used safely for up to 13 weeks. With the guidance of a healthcare provider, a specific prescription CBD product (Epidiolex) has been used at higher doses.
CBD can cause some side effects, such as dry mouth, low blood pressure, light headedness, and drowsiness. Signs of liver injury have also been reported with high doses of the prescription form of CBD, called Epidiolex.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if CBD is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It may be unsafe to take CBD if you are pregnant or breast feeding. CBD products can be contaminated with other ingredients that may be harmful to the fetus or infant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: It is possibly safe for children to take a specific prescription CBD product (Epidiolex) by mouth in doses up to 25 mg/kg daily. This product is approved for use in children with certain conditions who are at least 1 year old. It isn't clear if other CBD products are safe in children.
Liver disease: People with liver disease may need to use lower doses of CBD.
Parkinson disease: Some early research suggests that taking high doses of CBD might make muscle movement and tremors worse in some people with Parkinson disease.
There are no known interactions with medications. Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Herbs and supplements with sedative properties: CBD might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking it along with other supplements with similar effects might cause too much sleepiness and/or slowed breathing in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include hops, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, and valerian.
There are no known interactions with foods.
CBD has most often been used by adults in doses of 200 mg or less per day. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
For information on using prescription CBD, a product called Epidiolex, speak with a healthcare provider.
2-[(1R,6R)-3-Methyl-6-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-5-pentylbenzene-1,3-diol, CBD.
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