THE NEUROPROTECTIVE QUALITY OF CBD: A NOVEL VITAMIN FOR BRAIN HEALTH
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component derived from the Cannabis plant, has gained scientific attention in recent years due to its potential health benefits, particularly for treating neurological disorders. CBD will not make you high, sorry! This article aims to synthesize and discuss the current literature on the neuroprotective properties of CBD, with an emphasis on its potential role as a novel vitamin for brain health.
Reviewing various reliable sources, we identify the mechanisms through which CBD exerts its therapeutic effects, as well as the limitation of existing research, and proposed future directions to better understand the potential of CBD as a neuroprotective agent.
One of the many Cannabinoids, particularly CBD, has shown promise in the management and treatment of various neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The neuroprotective potential of CBD is attributable to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties, allowing CBD to mitigate neural damage associated with various pathologies listed above. With America’s increase in life expectancy, an ounce of precaution will reap pounds of cure. This fight against brain inflammation requires our daily attention and supplementation of
these essential Cannabinoids, as nutrients, in order for this regulatory system to avoid the longterm sequelae of neural damage.
Some of these findings were outlined by four NIH researchers dating all the way back to 1999 where these researchers found that Cannabidiol (CBD) was neuroproliferative, neuroprotective and a strong brain antioxidant. A patent for Cannabidiol was granted to Health & Human Services (HHS) in 2003. With a growing body of evidence suggesting that CBD may play an essential role in maintaining
brain health, it is necessary and imperative to evaluate its potential as a novel vitamin for brain health.
Willie Nelson shows a cannister of Cannabis with the patent number 6630507 as he has always supported the medicinal Cannabis plant. However, the Federal government continues to refuse to change the classification of Cannabis from a Schedule 1 drug, to this day!
It has taken State sovereignty and the majority of States and an Act of Congress in 2022 whereby research on this Cannabis plant is now Federally endorsed.
Mechanisms of CBD’s Neuroprotective Effects
1. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties: One of the principal mechanisms through which CBD exerts its protective effects is by attenuating neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress which results in free radical formation. This oxidative stress in the form of free radicals must be removed from the brain to ensure proper neural glial transmission. By modulating the activity of the microglial cells and inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, CBD reduces inflammation in the Central Nervous System (CNS), therefore, protecting neurons from damage. The inflammatory continuum in the brain creates neurodegenerative disease, i.e., dementia and various other brain pathology. Additionally, CBD possesses potent antioxidative properties, making it capable of neutralizing Reactive Oxygen Specimens (ROS) and preventing lipid peroxidation, a process that triggers neural injury. Please note many of these processes are formulated and executed during our sleep pattern which requires seven to nine hours of sleep per night to clean the brain of ROS.
2. Anti-apoptotic: Another essential mechanism through which CBD confers neuroprotection is by inhibiting apoptosis or programmed cell death, a process implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. CBD has been shown to reduce pro-apoptotic factors such as a caspase-3 and Bax and enhance the expression of anti-apoptotic factors such as Bcl-2, effectively suppressing neural death. Sorry about all of the science!
3. Modulation of Endocannabinoid System (ECS): CBD also exerts neuroprotective effects by modulating the ECS, an essential mediator of neural function, inflammation, and immune response. By activating the Cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, CBD promotes regulatory receptor heteromers, regulates the immune response and helps to maintain neural function.
Limitations and Future Directions:
Although preclinical and clinical studies have yielded promising results regarding CBD’s neuroprotective properties, several limitations should be acknowledged. Firstly, more studies with larger sample sizes and standardized methodologies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of CBD in various populations. Secondly, the interactions between CBD and other medications that patients with neurologic disorders may be taking must be further investigated to ensure the optimal treatment plan. With the advent of the passage of the Medical Cannabis Research Bill in December of 2022, here is what the Bill says in summary:
• require the DEA to assess whether there is an adequate and uninterrupted supply of Cannabis for research purposes;
• prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from reinstating the interdisciplinary review process for Cannabis research;
• allow physicians to discuss the potential harms and benefits of Cannabis and its derivatives (including CBD) with patients; and
• require HHS, in coordination with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and relevant federal agencies, to report on the therapeutic potential of Cannabis for various conditions such as epilepsy, as well as the impact on adolescent brains and on the ability to operate a motor vehicle. The genie is out of the box! Research will now abound.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, existing literature supports the notion that CBD possesses neuroprotective properties, making it a potential novel vitamin for brain health. This begs the question, what is a vitamin? A vitamin’s mission and meaning are embedded in the word Vita, which means life.
The food chart was produced in 1930 as a public health document. The food chart has greatly changed in recent years from food chart to My Pyramid. I will approach this question in the future.
Article written by Eric I. Mitchell
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component derived from the Cannabis plant, has gained scientific attention in recent years due to its potential health benefits, particularly for treating neurological disorders. CBD will not make you high, sorry! This article aims to synthesize and discuss the current literature on the neuroprotective properties of CBD, with an emphasis on its potential role as a novel vitamin for brain health.
Reviewing various reliable sources, we identify the mechanisms through which CBD exerts its therapeutic effects, as well as the limitation of existing research, and proposed future directions to better understand the potential of CBD as a neuroprotective agent.
One of the many Cannabinoids, particularly CBD, has shown promise in the management and treatment of various neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The neuroprotective potential of CBD is attributable to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties, allowing CBD to mitigate neural damage associated with various pathologies listed above. With America’s increase in life expectancy, an ounce of precaution will reap pounds of cure. This fight against brain inflammation requires our daily attention and supplementation of
these essential Cannabinoids, as nutrients, in order for this regulatory system to avoid the longterm sequelae of neural damage.
Some of these findings were outlined by four NIH researchers dating all the way back to 1999 where these researchers found that Cannabidiol (CBD) was neuroproliferative, neuroprotective and a strong brain antioxidant. A patent for Cannabidiol was granted to Health & Human Services (HHS) in 2003. With a growing body of evidence suggesting that CBD may play an essential role in maintaining
brain health, it is necessary and imperative to evaluate its potential as a novel vitamin for brain health.
Willie Nelson shows a cannister of Cannabis with the patent number 6630507 as he has always supported the medicinal Cannabis plant. However, the Federal government continues to refuse to change the classification of Cannabis from a Schedule 1 drug, to this day!
It has taken State sovereignty and the majority of States and an Act of Congress in 2022 whereby research on this Cannabis plant is now Federally endorsed.
Mechanisms of CBD’s Neuroprotective Effects
1. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties: One of the principal mechanisms through which CBD exerts its protective effects is by attenuating neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress which results in free radical formation. This oxidative stress in the form of free radicals must be removed from the brain to ensure proper neural glial transmission. By modulating the activity of the microglial cells and inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, CBD reduces inflammation in the Central Nervous System (CNS), therefore, protecting neurons from damage. The inflammatory continuum in the brain creates neurodegenerative disease, i.e., dementia and various other brain pathology. Additionally, CBD possesses potent antioxidative properties, making it capable of neutralizing Reactive Oxygen Specimens (ROS) and preventing lipid peroxidation, a process that triggers neural injury. Please note many of these processes are formulated and executed during our sleep pattern which requires seven to nine hours of sleep per night to clean the brain of ROS.
2. Anti-apoptotic: Another essential mechanism through which CBD confers neuroprotection is by inhibiting apoptosis or programmed cell death, a process implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. CBD has been shown to reduce pro-apoptotic factors such as a caspase-3 and Bax and enhance the expression of anti-apoptotic factors such as Bcl-2, effectively suppressing neural death. Sorry about all of the science!
3. Modulation of Endocannabinoid System (ECS): CBD also exerts neuroprotective effects by modulating the ECS, an essential mediator of neural function, inflammation, and immune response. By activating the Cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, CBD promotes regulatory receptor heteromers, regulates the immune response and helps to maintain neural function.
Limitations and Future Directions:
Although preclinical and clinical studies have yielded promising results regarding CBD’s neuroprotective properties, several limitations should be acknowledged. Firstly, more studies with larger sample sizes and standardized methodologies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of CBD in various populations. Secondly, the interactions between CBD and other medications that patients with neurologic disorders may be taking must be further investigated to ensure the optimal treatment plan. With the advent of the passage of the Medical Cannabis Research Bill in December of 2022, here is what the Bill says in summary:
• require the DEA to assess whether there is an adequate and uninterrupted supply of Cannabis for research purposes;
• prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from reinstating the interdisciplinary review process for Cannabis research;
• allow physicians to discuss the potential harms and benefits of Cannabis and its derivatives (including CBD) with patients; and
• require HHS, in coordination with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and relevant federal agencies, to report on the therapeutic potential of Cannabis for various conditions such as epilepsy, as well as the impact on adolescent brains and on the ability to operate a motor vehicle. The genie is out of the box! Research will now abound.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, existing literature supports the notion that CBD possesses neuroprotective properties, making it a potential novel vitamin for brain health. This begs the question, what is a vitamin? A vitamin’s mission and meaning are embedded in the word Vita, which means life.
The food chart was produced in 1930 as a public health document. The food chart has greatly changed in recent years from food chart to My Pyramid. I will approach this question in the future.
Article written by Eric I. Mitchell
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