Medical cannabinoids, not to be confused with supplemental CBD products, are used to treat many medical conditions.
In this article, we will explore the potential uses, benefits and risks of medicinal cannabinoids.
Key Points
- Medical cannabinoids, THC and CBD, interact with the endocannabinoid system to treat medical conditions, not cure them.
- THC is used for pain relief and chemo induced nausea, CBD is used for anxiety, sleep and seizures.
- There’s still a lot of research gaps on both the therapeutic potential and long term health risks of cannabinoids, so more studies are needed to optimise their use.
CBD oil UK and other CBD products we sell here at BROWN’S CBD are not intended to be used medicinally.
What are Cannabinoids
In recent years, cannabinoids have been getting a lot of attention for their therapeutic benefits, and private medical prescriptions are now available in the UK and US.
The most well-known cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), each with its own properties and effects.
Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which includes a complex network of receptors that regulate aspects such as appetite, memory, movement and pain.
This is the basis for the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids to treat many medical conditions.
Medical cannabis is used to alleviate symptoms, not cure conditions, and often gives patients relief.
Despite the benefits, awareness of cannabinoids side effects is important. Common side effects of medical cannabis are increased heart rate and impaired memory.
Patients and healthcare providers must be aware of these side effects to make informed decisions about cannabis based medicines.
Medical cannabinoids are used under the supervision of a medical professional and are not the same as over-the-counter CBD products available in the UK.
Unlike medical cannabinoids, supplemental CBD products are often marketed for general health and well-being, not medical conditions.
Main Medicinal Cannabinoids
The main cannabinoids used in medical marijuana are THC and CBD, both have shown great therapeutic potential.
These are the focus of most medical cannabis research and applications. Understanding the properties and effects of THC and CBD is key to understanding their medical use.
THC is known for its sedating properties, which can alter mood, behaviour and thoughts. CBD is known for its milder nature and wide range of therapeutic benefits.
Both are often used together in treatment plans to make the most of the synergistic effects.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the most well-known cannabinoid because it gets people ‘high’.
It affects mood, behaviour and thoughts and offers a euphoric sensation. This euphoric effect is what distinguishes THC from other cannabinoids and makes it of particular interest.
The ‘high’ associated with THC is due to its interaction with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, altering the release of neurotransmitters. This can lead to various effects including euphoria, relaxation and altered sensory perception.
But these psychoactive properties also mean that THC can cause adverse effects such as anxiety and paranoia in some individuals.
Despite the euphoric effects, THC has its medical uses. Synthetic THC, such as dronabinol, is approved for nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment and anorexia associated with AIDS related weight loss.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD or Cannabidiol does not produce the euphoric high associated with cannabis use. This makes CBD an attractive option for patients who want therapeutic benefits without the psychoactive effects.
CBD has been studied for many potentially therapeutic benefits. Research shows that medical CBD can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and manage seizures, making it a versatile component in medical cannabis.
But CBD is not without side effects. While rare, short-term side effects of products such as topical cannabidiol patches may include decreased alertness, mood changes, decreased appetite and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea.
Understanding these side effects is important for patients and healthcare providers to manage and mitigate the risks.
Approved Medical Uses of Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids have been approved for several medical uses, providing relief for many conditions.
Chronic pain management, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and multiple sclerosis symptoms are the main areas where cannabinoids have shown benefits.
In chronic pain management, medical cannabinoids offer modest benefits, particularly for neuropathic and cancer-related pain.
They can be an alternative for patients who may not respond well to traditional pain medications.
Cannabinoids are also effective in controlling nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, helping patients to get through their treatment more comfortably.
Also, cannabinoids can help with muscle spasms and stiffness associated with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions.
These approved uses of cannabinoids show how they can improve the lives of patients with chronic and severe medical conditions.
Emerging Therapeutic Applications
Beyond the established uses of medicinal cannabinoids in the UK, research is showing that cannabinoids may have therapeutic applications for many medical conditions, including cancer and neurological conditions.
The cannabis plant has over 100 identified cannabinoids, many of which may have potential therapeutic benefits that are yet to be explored.
This growing body of research is expanding our understanding of how cannabis sativa can treat conditions beyond what is already known.
But much of this research is in its early stages, and more studies are needed to confirm these potential benefits.
As research continues, new therapeutic applications for cannabinoids will be discovered, offering hope for patients with many medical conditions.
Anxiety Disorders
Medicinal CBD is known to reduce anxiety and has a better safety profile than THC. This makes it an attractive option for patients looking for anxiety relief without the psychoactive effects of THC.
Medicinal cannabidiol shows promise for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms, particularly in social anxiety disorder.
Limited evidence and anecdotal reports suggest that full spectrum CBD products may improve anxiety symptoms, making them a potential treatment for social anxiety disorder.
But more clinical trials are needed to establish the efficacy and safety of cannabis products for medical use in anxiety disorders.
More trials will help to provide a clearer understanding of the benefits and risks of using cannabinoids for anxiety.
Epilepsy
Medical CBD has shown promise in treating epilepsy and inflammatory conditions.
Uncontrolled case series have reported cannabidiol can lead to a significant reduction in seizure frequency for some patients with epilepsy, offering hope for those affected by the condition.
Certain types of epilepsy can be treated with cannabidiol medicine (Epidiolex), giving relief to patients who may not respond to traditional treatments. This shows the potential of CBD as a treatment option for epilepsy.
But more controlled studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of CBD in managing epilepsy and to understand its side effects.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Current evidence for cannabinoids for PTSD is limited and inconclusive, and more research is needed.
In a nabilone study, 7 out of 10 patients improved in global clinical state, suggesting benefit from this pharmaceutical cannabinoid.
But nabilone did not affect sleep quality and quantity in the PTSD study.
More research is needed to confirm these findings and to fully explore cannabinoids for PTSD.
Safety and Side Effects
Various safety concerns have been raised about cannabis and cannabinoids, so careful consideration and informed decision making is needed.
The type of cannabis used can affect both symptom relief and side effects.
For example, THC can cause anxiety and paranoia in some individuals.
Regular use of THC can also lead to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, severe nausea and vomiting.
Short-Term Side Effects
Short-term effects of medical cannabis can be physiological and psychological.
Common side effects include dizziness, dry mouth and altered mental state. Additional effects may include euphoria, altered sensory perception and impaired memory.
These short-term side effects highlight the need for careful dosing and monitoring when using medicinal cannabinoids to ensure patients get the benefit while minimising risk.
Long Term Health Risks
Long-term cannabis use can cause cognitive issues, particularly in younger users whose brains are still developing.
These cognitive impairments can affect many areas of daily life, which is why the long-term health effects of smoked cannabis use need to be understood.
Long-term cannabis use can also increase the risk of mental health issues in predisposed individuals, anxiety and depression.
Regular cannabis use is also associated with a higher risk of cannabis use disorder, which can have a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing.
Healthcare professionals play a key role in educating patients about these risks and helping them make informed decisions about their treatment.
Administration Methods
Cannabinoids can be administered via multiple routes, orally, inhaled and topically. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Oral, inhalation and topical are the most common methods of medicinal cannabinoids.
Each has different onset and duration of effects, so flexibility in treatment options.
Optimising the benefits of cannabinoids requires understanding these methods and minimising side effects.
Research Gaps and Future Directions
Research often doesn’t look at both therapeutic and adverse effects, so more research is needed.
Methodological issues with drug delivery make studies on cannabis health effects unreliable, making it hard to understand the benefits and risks of cannabinoid use.
Getting accurate exposure assessments is also difficult due to many different cannabis strains and usage methods.
More funding sources are needed to support full cannabinoid research.
By addressing these research gaps, future studies can provide a clearer understanding of the therapeutic potential and safety of cannabinoids and inform better medical use.