Title: Therapeutic Implications of Cannabidiol for Humans

Keywords: Cannabis, Cannabinoids, Cannabidiol, Epilepsy

Abstract:

Cannabis sativa L. has long been used as an agricultural commodity for fiber and seed oil production. Recently, these plants have garnered public attention due to their therapeutic potential. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the naturally occurring cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. CBD is a potent regulator of neurotransmission, indirectly modulating a number of neurological and psychiatric responses by interacting with both cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and non-CB receptors (e.g., vanilloid-type 1 receptor, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)). Unlike Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD has no psychoactivity, exhibiting no effects indicative of any potential for abuse or dependence. Over the past decades, CBD has been studied for its therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotectant, anticonvulsant, anti-panic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, analgesic, anti-tumoral agent, and anti-psychotic substance. In mice infected with the Dravet syndrome, CBD effectively reduced seizures and autistic-like social behaviors. The effects CBD exhibited were mediated through antagonism of the non-CB receptor, G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 55. Additionally, recent clinical studies have also supported the mouse study and found that CBD tremendously reduced the frequency and severity of chronic seizures while increasing the quality of life in humans with epilepsy. CBD is not only limited to the treatment of epilepsy but also shows efficacy for a wide array of different human disorders, ranging from cancer to chronic neuropathic pain, which reflects the broad spectrum of molecular targets. With the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes globally, an increase in pre-trials and clinical trials are anticipated and should facilitate exploration of the unknown therapeutic functions of phytocannabinoids.