Cannabidiol (CBD), a constituent extracted from the Cannabis genus of plants, has been of current rife interest for the treatment and symptom control of a myriad of conditions. With the opioid epidemic on the rise, novel avenues for chronic pain management are crucial.
Evidence suggests the benefit of CBD in a wide range of inflammatory and chronic pain conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA), neuropathic pain, and myofascial pain syndromes. There remains much uncertainty, however, in regard to dose, modes of administration, safety, sourcing, and other necessary factors in determining medicinal value and appropriate practices with this substance. Given that over-the-counter CBD is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), much controversy exists in these realms.
With the current evidence yielding complex results, safety profiles remaining uncertain, and the legislative controversy and unrest that exists pertaining to CBD, hemp, and cannabis products used medicinally, research has a long way to go. Education should be the focus for consumers, as the lack of standardization and FDA regulation facilitates the capability of retailers to falsely advertise, thereby leaving much potential for confusion in product selection and squandered dollars.
From a historical standpoint, the use of Cannabis for thousands of years by our predecessors in the treatment of a multitude of conditions is suggestive that this herb and its constituents can have profound impacts in the field of medicine. Although promising outcomes provided by many analyses to date, our knowledge remains in its infancy. Investing in long-term human studies and clinical trials will be imperative for advances to be made in determining CBD’s unique role in our healthcare system.
