CBD or Cannabidiol is a component of the cannabis plant that contains within itself many hidden therapeutic properties. This non-toxic version of the CBD does not let the user get euphoric or in simpler words, “high”. Research has found that CBD can be used to treat or reduce the effects of many diseases and their symptoms like diabetes, Crohn’s disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, anxiety, PTSD, MS and many more.
One of its very renowned functions is its therapeutic use for the treatment of glaucoma which is formed due to increased pressure in the eye and causes severe damage to the optic nerve that if left untreated may lead to irreversible blindness.
The main gist of the disease is the glutamate acts on the neurons and destroys their ganglionic cells. Cannabinoids in the CBD is known to protect the neuron and prevent ganglionic cell death and to test out this very theory, a detailed experiment was done to assess if CBD really does relieve the necrosis of the ganglionic cells of the optic nerve.
Six patients were administered with sublingual glaucoma doses of 5mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg. two hours later the patients were checked upon for results;
Patients that had received a dosage of 5 mg, their intraocular pressure was reduced but returned to its baseline after 4 hours.
Patients that were given 20 mg showed no results whatsoever
Patients who were administered 40mg doses, however, showed an alarming increase in the intraocular pressure.
So how can CBD help glaucoma?
After many studies and conducted experiments it was found that the right dose reduces the pressure in the eyes and consequently increases the heart rate and as heart rate increases, the intraocular pressure further decreases. Another interesting discovery was that CBD effects were more promising and effective in patients that were suffering from hypertension or cardiovascular diseases. It is very important for a patient with hypertension to get their intraocular pressure and glaucoma checked because there are really no sudden symptoms that can be distinguished or that are diagnosable easily without detailed tests and people generally notice that they are suffering from glaucoma as soon as they are hit with the most extreme or severe of glaucoma end results, like partial or total blindness and by then it is usually too late.
Usually, patients suffering from glaucoma also suffer from multiple other diseases and CBD does happen to be a multifactorial drug. It is very beneficial in its functions to act as an anti-inflammatory drug that decreases the painful effects of neuropathic pains. It also acts as a sleep-inducing drug and can be used by patients with insomnia or patients who are suffering from anxiety, ulcers, and seizures. So if a patient has glaucoma and is suffering from seizures or insomnia or ulcers, the drug is a very healthy and safe choice.
Before visiting your physician, research so you know all options and ways in which the drug can help you and feel free to ask questions before you add CBD to your list of medications.
CLINICAL STUDIES: RESOURCES
