Uses
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. The effectiveness ratings for CANNABIDIOL (CBD) are as follows:
Likely effective for…
- Seizure disorder (epilepsy). A specific cannabidiol cbd product (Epidiolex, GW Pharmaceuticals) has been shown to reduce seizures in adults and children with various conditions that are linked with seizures.
- This product is a prescription drug for treating seizures caused by Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex. It has also been shown to reduce seizures in people with Sturge-Weber syndrome, febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES), and specific genetic disorders that cause epileptic encephalopathy. But it’s not approved for treating these other types of seizures. This product is usually taken in combination with conventional anti-seizure medicines. Some cannabidiol products that are made in a lab are also being studied for epilepsy. But research is limited, and none of these products are approved as prescription drugs.
Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for…
- Bipolar disorder. Early reports show that taking cannabidiol does not improve manic episodes in people with bipolar disorders.
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease). Early research shows that taking cannabidiol (CBD) does not reduce disease activity in adults with Crohn disease.
- Diabetes. Early research shows that taking cannabidiol does not improve blood glucose levels, blood insulin levels, or HbA1c in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- A movement disorder marked by involuntary muscle contractions (dystonia). Early research suggests that taking cannabidiol daily for 6 weeks might improve dystonia by 20% to 50% in some people. Higher quality research is needed to confirm this.
- An inherited condition marked by learning disabilities (fragile- X syndrome). Early research found that applying cannabidiol gel might reduce anxiety and improve behavior in patients with fragile X syndrome.
- A condition in which a transplant attacks the body (graft-versus-host disease or GVHD). Graft-versus-host disease is a complication that can occur after a bone marrow transplant. In people with this condition, donor cells attack the person’s own cells. Early research shows that taking cannabidiol daily starting 7 days before bone marrow transplant and continuing for 30 days after transplant can extend the time it takes for a person to develop GVHD.
- An inherited brain disorder that affects movements, emotions, and thinking (Huntington disease). Early research shows that taking cannabidiol daily does not improve symptoms of Huntington’s disease.
- Insomnia. Early research suggests that taking 160 mg of cannabidiol before bed improves sleep time in people with insomnia. However, lower doses do not have this effect. Cannabidiol also does not seem to help people fall asleep and might reduce the ability to recall dreams.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS). There is inconsistent evidence on the effectiveness of cannabidiol for symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Some early research suggests that using a cannabidiol spray under the tongue might improve pain and muscle tightness in people with MS. However, it does not appear to improve muscle spasms, tiredness, bladder control, the ability to move around, or well-being and quality of life.
- Withdrawal from heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs. Early research shows that taking cannabidiol for 3 days reduces cravings and anxiety in people with heroin use disorder that are not using heroin or any other opioid drugs.
- Parkinson disease. Early research shows that taking a single dose of cannabidiol can reduce anxiety during public speaking in people with Parkinson disease. Other early research shows that taking cannabidiol daily for 4 weeks improves psychotic symptoms in people with Parkinson disease and psychosis.
- Schizophrenia. Research on the use of cannabidiol for psychotic symptoms in people with schizophrenia is conflicting. Some early research suggests that taking cannabidiol (CBD) four times daily for 4 weeks improves psychotic symptoms and might be as effective as the antipsychotic medication amisulpride. However, other early research suggests that taking cannabidiol for 14 days is not beneficial. The conflicting results might be related to the cannabidiol dose used and duration of treatment.
- Quitting smoking. Early research suggests that inhaling cannabidiol with an inhaler for one week might reduce the number of cigarettes smoked by about 40% compared to baseline.
- A type of anxiety marked by fear in some or all social settings (social anxiety disorder). Some early research shows that taking cannabidiol 300 mg daily does not improve anxiety during public speaking in people with social anxiety disorder. But it might help with public speaking in people who don’t have social anxiety disorder. It might also help with general social anxiety. Also, some research suggests that taking a higher dose (400-600 mg) may improve anxiety associated with public speaking or medical imaging testing.
- A group of painful conditions that affect the jaw joint and muscle (temporomandibular disorders or TMD). Early research shows that applying an oil containing cannabidiol to the skin might improve nerve function in people with TMD.
- Nerve damage in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy).
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of cannabidiol for these uses.
Side Effects Of Cannabidiol (CBD)
- When taken by mouth: Cannabidiol is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth or sprayed under the tongue appropriately. Cannabidiol in doses of up to 300 mg daily have been taken by mouth safely for up to 6 months. Higher doses of 1200-1500 mg daily have been taken by mouth safely for up to 4 weeks. A prescription cannabidiol product (Epidiolex) is approved to be taken by mouth in doses of up to 25 mg/kg daily. Cannabidiol sprays that are applied under the tongue have been used in doses of 2.5 mg for up to 2 weeks.
- Some reported side effects of cannabidiol include dry mouth, low blood pressure, light headedness, and drowsiness. Signs of liver injury have also been reported in some patients, but this is less common.
- When applied to the skin: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if cannabidiol is safe or what the side effects might be.
Warnings & Precautions
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Cannabidiol (CBD) is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to use if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Cannabidiol 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: A prescription cannabidiol product (Epidiolex) is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in doses up to 25 mg/kg daily. This product is approved for use in certain children 1 year of age and older.
- Liver disease: People with liver disease may need to use lower doses of cannabidiol compared to healthy patients.
- Parkinson disease: Some early research suggests that taking high doses of cannabidiol might make muscle movement and tremors worse in people with Parkinson disease.
Dosage Of Cannabidiol (CBD)
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
For epilepsy: A prescription cannabidiol product (Epidiolex) has been used. The recommended starting dose for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome is 2.5 mg/kg twice daily (5 mg/kg/day). After one week the dose can be increased to 5 mg/kg twice daily (10 mg/kg/day). If the person doesn’t respond to this dose, the maximum recommended is 10 mg/kg twice daily (20 mg/kg/day). The recommended starting dose for tuberous sclerosis complex is 2.5 mg/kg twice daily (5 mg/kg/day). This can be increased at weekly intervals if necessary, up to a maximum of 12.5 mg/kg twice daily (25 mg/kg/day). There is no strong scientific evidence that nonprescription cannabidiol products are beneficial for epilepsy.
CHILDREN
BY MOUTH:
For epilepsy: A prescription cannabidiol product (Epidiolex) has been used. The recommended starting dose for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome is 2.5 mg/kg twice daily (5 mg/kg/day). After one week the dose can be increased to 5 mg/kg twice daily (10 mg/kg/day). If the person doesn’t respond to this dose, the maximum recommended is 10 mg/kg twice daily (20 mg/kg/day). The recommended starting dose for tuberous sclerosis complex is 2.5 mg/kg twice daily (5 mg/kg/day). This can be increased at weekly intervals if necessary, up to a maximum of 12.5 mg/kg twice daily (25 mg/kg/day). There is no strong scientific evidence that nonprescription cannabidiol products are beneficial for epilepsy
Other
Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Source
All information have been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
