CBD (Cannabidiol)

Mechanism of action

Modulates the endocannabinoid system through indirect mechanisms — CBD doesn't bind CB1 or CB2 receptors directly like THC does. It affects multiple receptor systems: serotonin 5-HT1A, adenosine, TRPV1, GPR55. The anxiolytic effect appears to be mediated through 5-HT1A signaling. The anti-seizure effect (Epidiolex) operates through GPR55 and TRPV1.

History

CBD was isolated by Roger Adams in 1940. Its non-psychoactive nature distinguished it from THC. The 2018 US Farm Bill federally legalised hemp-derived CBD (less than 0.3% THC), unleashing massive commercial growth. Epidiolex was FDA-approved in 2018 for rare childhood seizure disorders. Consumer CBD products vary enormously in quality, dose, and accuracy of labeling.

Benefits

• Anxiety reduction

  EVIDENCEB

  Bergamaschi 2011 social anxiety.

• Seizure reduction (specific syndromes)

  EVIDENCEA

  Epidiolex trials.

• Sleep quality (mild)

  EVIDENCEC

  Mixed evidence; some users benefit.

Side effects

• Drowsinesscommonmild
• Diarrhea (high dose)commonmild
• Liver enzyme elevation (high dose)uncommonmoderate

Cited research

• CBD for social anxiety disorder (Bergamaschi)2011
  PMID 21307846 ↗
• Cannabidiol for Dravet syndrome seizures (Devinsky)2017
  PMID 28538134 ↗
• CBD pharmacology review (Pisanti)2017
  PMID 28237817 ↗

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