CBD is traditionally known to possess many health benefits. However, at present, it is regarded as a supplement and not a remedy for medical conditions. Fortunately, in recent years, it has become the subject of numerous clinical trials, and we may see CBD based products getting approved as medication.

However, it is worth noticing that one cannot find that many high quality, well-designed clinical trials for CBD.

Here we’ll try to present findings of recent clinical trials that we have our eyes on:

CBD for epilepsy

CBD oil has been proven to reduce the incidents of seizures for those patients who suffer from Dravet syndrome and a childhood epilepsy disorder. Especially CBD may help with seizures that previously had a high incidence and are resistant to other drugs¹.

Also, some trials are devoted to the interaction between CBD and anti-seizure drugs. They found CBD combined with other anti-seizure medicines may have additive effect².

CBD and multiple sclerosis

Many studies have been conducted to show how CBD can ease spasticity that is a common syndrome in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The trials found that CBD can lessen spasticity and help alleviate muscular discomfort. But some patients experienced adverse effects including impaired cognitive ability³.

There were positive clinical trials for Sativex, a spray that contains compounds of THC and CBD. As a result, Sativex is now sold in over 15 countries⁴. Sativex is approved as a botanical drug in the UK for the treatment of multiple sclerosis-related spasticities.

CBD for psychosis

Some marijuana smokers may experience early onset psychosis that is a damaging disorder. Clinical trials found the CBD component of cannabis can act as a natural prevention or early treatment to psychosis initiated by THC⁵.

Other clinical trials

Some clinical trials devoted to the usage of CBD for anxiety, cancer, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, dependence, appetite loss, HIV, sleep disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease are underway. Other studies are to conclude on anti-inflammatory effects of CBD⁶.

The reports show that more human CBD trials are needed before medical experts and health care providers can say that the product is safe and effective.

Requirements for clinical trials

Not all clinical trials are relevant. Only well-designed studies with enough number of participants, and studies comparing the efficacy of CBD with placebo (controlled studies) can be trusted.

One can expect to see lots of clinical trials regarding the use of CBD in various challenging to treat medical conditions in the future. However, well-designed clinical trials are done in phases and take years to conclude. Nonetheless, increased interest in CBD in recent years increases the chances that modern science will approve it for many more medical conditions.

References

1. Perucca E. Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Hard Evidence at Last? J Epilepsy Res. 2017;7(2):61-76. doi:10.14581/jer.17012
2. Gaston TE, Bebin EM, Cutter GR, Liu Y, Szaflarski JP, UAB CBD Program. Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia. 2017;58(9):1586-1592. doi:10.1111/epi.13852
3. van Amerongen G, Kanhai K, Baakman AC, et al. Effects on Spasticity and Neuropathic Pain of an Oral Formulation of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in Patients WithProgressive Multiple Sclerosis. Clin Ther. 2018;40(9):1467-1482. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.01.016
4. Oreja-Guevara C. Clinical efficacy and effectiveness of Sativex, a combined cannabinoid medicine, in multiple sclerosis-related spasticity. Expert Rev Neurother. 2012;12(4 Suppl):3-8. doi:10.1586/ern.12.11
5. Proal AC, Fleming J, Galvez-Buccollini JA, Delisi LE. A controlled family study of cannabis users with and without psychosis. Schizophr Res. 2014;152(1):283-288. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2013.11.014
6. Clinical Studies and Case Reports. https://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/study.php. Accessed December 7, 2019.