phytocannabinoid from the cannabis plant is effective
CBD: Better than Prescription Drugs
Justin Zollner
English 102
Yvonne Warner
March 27, 2019
Many people now a days seem to be on a cocktail of prescription drugs. There is just about any drug out there for any symptom, pain, or condition. One drug leaves an undesired effect and now need another drug to fix that problem. There are health trends all over to help chase your prescription drugs; probiotics, juicing, fitness programs, homeopathic substances and even timed eating plans, all promising to get you healthy. Typically, most of this stuff would help, but sometimes that medical condition leaves you needing a prescription drug that gives you unwanted side effects and more. Life has become so fast paced that humans seem to be developing serious illnesses and possibly creating some in children before they even have a chance. From anxiety, to cancer, to seizures that are resistant to treatments, there may be something in the making that can help manage these conditions and may even fix the problem. I'm talking about cannabidiol or better known as CBD. Recent studies show that cannabidiol (CBD) may be a game changer in the treatment of many medical conditions.
So, what is CBD? CBD is a chemical compound that is derived from the cannabis plant, CBD is considered to be a phytocannabinoid. Within the cannabis plant, there is an oily substance which is extracted from a particular part of the plan. The oil contained within the cannabis plan is extracted from the flowers. After the oil is extracted from the flowers of the plant the tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, which makes you high, is then extracted from the oil leaving what is called CBD. CBD by itself will not give you the high that is most associated with marijuana use. After the extraction process the oil is then used to treat several different medical conditions. "Both CBD and THC have significant therapeutic attributes. But unlike THC, CBD does not make a person feel "Stoned" or intoxicated. That's because CBD and THC act in different ways on different receptors in the brain and body" (Project CBD). CBD can then be used by the consumer in many different forms. They can use just the oil with no additives by dropping it right into their mouth or they can go as far as buying flavored gummies to chew.
CBD is available in most states. You can buy it online or buy it from your local smoke shop. You can buy it in small quantities or in larger quantities. You may be asking yourself, is it legal? According to the Green Roads website, "As of 2019, CBD derived from hemp is legal nationwide at the federal level. This includes all hemp-derived CBD products like oils, edibles, and ointments. However, some states have laws on CBD from hemp that are restrictive. In some states, CBD derived from marijuana is completely legal; but in most states, its legality depends on a number of different factors and conditions. A Hemp Farm Bill was signed into law in December 2018, effectively legalizing hemp at the federal level by removing it from the federal list of controlled substances and classifying it as an agricultural commodity" (Stein). So not only has it become legal at the federal level, you can grow and produce your own hemp products.
Let's talk about how they get the oils out of the cannabis plant. The plant obviously has to be grown first. Once the plant has been grown fully it is then harvested and the plant is then ready to extract the oils from it. There are 4 common ways to extract the CBD oil. Each method has pros and cons, but I will just stick to the methods or extraction.
The first method of extraction is "The Co2 Cannabis Extraction Method." This is the most commonly used method of all because it is the safest and provides a pure end product. "In simple terms, CO2 cannabis extraction uses pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) to pull CBD (and other phytochemicals) from the plant. CO2 acts like a solvent at certain temperatures and pressures but possesses none of the dangers" (Marijuana Break). With a series of temperature changes the CO2 creates pressures that extract the oils from the plant. It is then separated oils from CO2 leaving the finished product.
The next method is "The Olive Oil Extraction Method." Heating Olive oil to 248 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes. Once this step is completed, add the plant material to the olive oil and heat to 212 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 2 hours. This process should result in the extraction of the cannabinoids, and ultimately, you should receive oil with the CBD content you require" (Marijuana Break). This method is so easy it can be performed at home.
"The Dry Ice Extraction Method." This is another easy method that can be performed within the home but takes a little more work than the olive oil method. This includes, "Chopping up the cannabis into small pieces and place it in a bucket. Cover the plant with dry ice and leave it for three minutes. This process causes the freezing of the trichome resins. Fit a 73-micron bag over the bucket and shake the ice and plant combo around for four minutes. This knocks the frozen trichomes off. Turn the bucket upside onto a sheet of Plexiglas and shake as much resin through the mesh bag. Scrap the hash off the Plexiglas with a scraper and place into a jar. Repeat the method but use 160 and 220-micron mesh bags, and this will give you three different strains of extract" (Marijuana Break).
Last method for CBD extraction we will cover is "The Solvent Extraction Method." "Ethanol, low-grade alcohol and butane are among the most common substances used in solvent extraction. Ethanol extracts the full range or cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant which makes the end product safe for consumption. Other solvents may offer side effects or irritate the lungs. All you have to do is add the liquid to the plant material. The extraction liquid will strip away the cannabinoids and flavor from the plant material but will probably take some of the green coloring too. Once you believe you have enough cannabinoids in liquid from, heat the liquid to evaporate it down to the CBD base Oil" (Marijuana Break). Most people know what marijuana is and have many terms they relate to it. The list goes on and on. When people think of marijuana, they usually think of getting high. Before recent studies most people would relate CBD to marijuana and would also think it would give you the same high as marijuana. This became a big talk in the United States because there were people treating children with CBD. A lot of people were thinking children were getting high. As stated before, CBD does not give you this effect. Let's see some of the differences and how they work on the body differently than each other.
THC and CBD are almost identical. They have the same chemical makeup. The only difference is how the atoms are organized. Aaron Cadena is a writer and editor for CBD Origin and states, "Before we dive in, it's important to understand what cannabinoids are and how they work with the body. There are currently 85 known cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant, the most prominent of which are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). A cannabinoid is a compound that interacts directly with our body's Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which in short, is a network of receptors that interact with cannabinoids to maintain vital functions throughout our body. Scientists discovered the first cannabinoid receptor in 1988, and by 1993, they had identified a second receptor. In 1995, the two receptors were classified as the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found abundantly in regions of the brain responsible for mental and physiological processes such as memory, high cognition, emotion, and motor coordination, while CB2 receptors are found throughout the central nervous and immune systems. The interaction between the CB1 and CB2 receptors with cannabinoids like CBD and THC is the catalyst for health benefits such as pain relief, anxiety relief, appetite stimulation, mood management and more. Now this is where the different positions of that tiny atom come into play. Because THC and CBD have different molecular structures, they do not interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the same manner. This greatly differentiates the effects each has on the body, which is likely the biggest concern when comparing CBD to THC. While CBD and THC both bind to the CB2 receptor, they interact with the CB1 receptors in different ways. Because of its molecular structure, THC is able to bind directly with CB1 receptors. When this bond is formed, the reaction creates signals that are sent to the brain, which results in the psychoactive effects of "getting high." In stark contrast, research shows that CBD does not bond directly with the CB1 receptor, and its presence can even negate the bond between THC and the CB1 receptors, effectively neutralizing the psychoactive effects induced by THC. While THC certainly offers tremendous health benefits, its mind-altering effects aren't preferred by everyone. CBD, on the other hand, can deliver many of the same benefits of THC without inducing its psychoactive effects. Plus, when using CBD vs THC, you typically won't be breaking the law... And that brings us to our next subject" (Cadena).
We all know someone or even ourselves that battle with anxiety or depression from time to time. May it be our busy lifestyle or some trauma that occurred in our lives, anxiety and depression is in us all. I once heard a saying and it goes like this; "Anxiety is worrying about the future and depression is sadness from the past." Whether we think we have this under control, most of us deal with it and don't even really realize that feeling is either one. Our way of life has made us on the go constantly. We have to be here, and we have to be there and still be home in time for dinner and in bed not too late, all to start it over again. So, what is CBD doing for Anxiety. "24 people with social anxiety disorder received either 600 milligrams (mg) of CBD or a placebo an hour and a half before performing a simulated public speaking test. Additionally, 12 other people with social anxiety disorder performed the same test without receiving any CBD treatment. Results revealed that pre-treatment with CBD significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort while participants were delivering their speech" (Very Well Health). I can personally testify that CBD works for anxiety. While dealing with some of the worst things that had ever come up in my life, I did not want to use prescription drugs and tried CBD oil. Within hours I felt like a different person and very relaxed and was ready to face the challenges ahead.
Several articles were found in treating epilepsy in children and adolescents with CBD. These children typically have several seizures a day and several hundred in a month. Some of the children are typically unresponsive to most prescription medications. A lot of those children that prescription medications did not work were evaluated with the uses of CBD. Here are a couple things that were found during the study. According to Michal Tzadok of the Pediatric Neurology Unit of Chaim Sheba Medical Center, "74 patients (age range 1-18) all with epilepsy resistant to antileptic drugs began CBD treatment and were treated for at least three months. CBD treatment yielded a significant positive effect of seizure load. Most of the children (66/74, 89%) reported reduction in seizure frequency: 13 (18%) reported 75-100% reduction, 25 (34%) reported 50-75% reduction, 9 (12%) reported 25-50% reduction, and 19 (26%) reported <25% reduction. In addition, we observed improvement in behavior and alertness, language, communication, motor skills and sleep" (Tzadok). Although this was a clinical trial, the result was outstanding. 89% of the subject studies showed reduction in seizures and 18% of those subjects showed 75-100% reduction of seizures. Those are amazing results considering their typical seizure is unstopped by other prescription drugs. This was just one study of many that was found while searching for CBD treatment for seizures. All very successful in the treatment of chronic drug resistant seizure disorders.
In my line of work, I experience patients with a broad range or disorders. In one encounter I had a very informal interview and I would like to share my experience. I am currently a Paramedic with a fire agency, I have been a paramedic for approximately eight years. I have transported multiple sick and very injured people during this duration of time. I have just about seen it all. I do see new things, treatment ideas, conditions, patient presentations from time to time and it becomes a learning experience. One day while on shift we got dispatched on a call for a seizure. Upon arrival the boy was actively having a seizure. He was a school aged boy. Upon finding out the history of this boy, I found out he has multiple seizures a day. When I asked what was different, his mom responded with he has been running a temperature which was abnormal. I told her what I could do for the child. That included giving 2 milligrams of Midazolam into the muscle. She laughed and told me it doesn't work and proceeded to tell me that there is no drug the hospital can give that will stop his seizures. I didn't know what to say or even do at that time. I had never seen midazolam not work for someone in a seizure. This is a drug that can potentially deeply sedate someone. We use this drug to chemically sedate someone when they have a psychiatric crisis which includes trying to harm themselves or others. I was lost because this drug always works. I immediately started to think of all the talk with CBD and seizure. Much like I talked about above. Once in the back of the ambulance I asked the mother if she had ever tried CBD. (I cannot include her name due to rights that protect patient/family confidentially) I was astounded by what she told me. She responded, "Actually I do know about CBD. It is the only thing that works for my son. It dropped his seizure to one and sometimes no seizures. I had to stop giving it to him because the amount it took cost us $500 a month and we could not afford it. It is the best stuff and if we could afford it, we would still be giving it to him." Truly amazing results. A drug that normally can take down an erratic adult could not stop a small child from seizing.
What is bad about CBD? The side effects of CBD are very limited and there is a lack of evidence that CBD could potentially be harmful. There is not much information other than a few side effects that could occur. This includes; tiredness, diarrhea and changes in appetite. Researchers have found no significant side effects on the central nervous system.
Prescription drugs can be dangerous. They come with a list of cautions and counter effects that may occur while using the drug. They leave you with sometimes fixing the medical condition for a short time and leaving you having to up the dose to keep that desired effect. The question here is, is there a safe alternative. I believe CBD is that safe alternative. It's not for everyone and it doesn't fix every problem. Due to the small amount of clinical studies performed, there is little evidence to prove what medical conditions that it can help with, but it is proving itself with helping conditions that seem to be unfixed by man made drugs. CBD is naturally growing and to date has very little side effects to none. It's already shown it works with the little studies that have been documented. CBD is cheap and currently don't need a prescription for it. It can be made in your own household and has no addictive traits. It may work for you and your current medical conditions.
Works Cited
1.Tzadok, Michal. "CBD-Enriched Medical Cannabis for Interactable Pediatric Epilepsy: The Current Israeli Experience." Neurolmage, Academic Press
2. Hausman-Kedem, Moran, et al. "Efficacy of CBD-Enriched Medical Cannabis for Treatment for Refractory Epilepsy in Children and Adolescents- An Observational, Longitudinal Study." NeuroImage, Academic Press,
3. Pocari, Giulia, et al. "Efficacy of Artisanal Preparations of Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Epilepsy: Practical Experiences in a Tertiary Medical Center." NeuroImage, Academic Press
4. Fleur Britten. "If mediation came in a pill, this is what it would feel like' The wellness wonder drug CBD has hit the mainstream, with claims that it calms you down and soothes aches and pains. Fleur Britten gave it a go- one month later, what has it done for her?" Sunday Times [London, England]
5. Porter, Brenda, and Catherine Jacobson. "Report of a Parent Survey of Cannabidiol- Enriched Cannabis Use in Pediatric Treatment- Resistant Epilepsy." NeuroImage, Academic Press
6. Mogensen, Jackie. "The Stoned Cold Truth: Is CBD the miracle drug that marketers claim?" Mother Jones, Nov.-Dec. 2018, pg. 74+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context
7. Kaplan, Shelia. "F.D.A. Panel Recommends Approval of Cannabis- Based Drug for Epilepsy." The New York Times, The New York Times
8. Adrian Devitt-Lee "What is CBD?" Copyright, Project CBD
9. (The Complete Guide To CBD Extractions. CO2 Cannabis Extraction, Olive Oil and Solvents.) Marijuana Break Staff, MarijuanaBreak
10. Wong, Cathy. (Using CBD Oil for Treating Anxiety.) VeryWellHealth
11. (Is CBD Oil Legal?) CBD Central
12. Stein, Jeff. (Congress Just Passed an $867 Billion Farm Bill. Here's What's in it.) The Washington Post