July 18, 2019 | It’s hard to go anywhere these days without seeing advertisements for CBD oil, promising to relieve everything from chronic pain to anxiety. But what exactly is CBD oil and why is everyone so excited about it? CBD, known clinically as cannabidiol, is a chemical in the Cannabis sativa plant. It’s one of 80 chemicals known as cannabinoids found in the plant. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, because cannabidiol is an active ingredient in a recently approved drug, products containing cannabidiol cannot be defined as dietary supplements. But there are still products labeled as dietary supplements on the market that contain cannabidiol. The amount of cannabidiol contained in these products is not always reported accurately on the product label. While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, a cousin of the marijuana plant, and by itself doesn’t produce a “high.”

July 18, 2019 | CBD, or cannabidiol, is being touted as a potential treatment for a number of illnesses, from diabetes to insomnia. But how can you tell if these products are legal? CBD oil is a byproduct of hemp, which until recently was classified as a Schedule 1 narcotic. The 2018 Farm Bill removed this designation and reclassified hemp as an agricultural product. Hemp, unlike its distant cousin marijuana, has no psychoactive effect and can be grown as fiber that can be used to make clothing, rope and building materials. However, at the federal level, CBD in food and drink is still illegal. CBD oils processed from hemp are now legal to possess, as long as they contain no more than 0.3 percent THC. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that it is illegal to sell foods containing the compound or to market it as a dietary supplement, leading some states that have legalized marijuana to crack down on merchants that are selling CBD products.

July 18, 2019 | CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is advertised as the solution to a number of conditions but is only approved for medical use in the United States as a treatment for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy. A specific cannabidiol product, known commercially as Epidiolex, is a prescription drug for treating seizures caused by Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It has also been shown to reduce seizures in people with tuberous sclerosis complex, Sturge-Weber syndrome, and febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome. But it’s not approved for treating these other types of seizures. This product is approved for use in certain children 2 years of age and older, but has been used in children as young as 1 year of age. The medication is taken orally as a solution, usually twice a day, with an oral syringe. Some reported side effects of cannabidiol may include dry mouth, low blood pressure, light headedness, and drowsiness.

July 18, 2019 | CBD oil is considered by some to be a safe treatment for a variety of common ailments but a team of researchers at UAMS found that might not be the case. The researchers used mice as subjects to test the liver toxicity of CBD oil. In looking for the chances of liver damage occurring as a result of taking CBD, the researchers found that the mice given higher doses of cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract showed signs of liver damage within 24 hours. Overall, 75 percent of the mice in the study had either died or were on the verge of death within a few days. The study, published in the scientific journal Molecules in May, marked the first time that CBD oil was seen as potentially harmful to the liver as alcohol and other chemicals. Dr. Igor Koturbash, co-director of UAMS’ Center for Dietary Supplements Research and lead author of the study, said further research of CBD oil is critical before it can be used as a medical option safely.

July 18, 2019 | CBD oil has been shown to help control seizures, but does not cure them. Before taking cannabidiol, you should discuss the drug with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you are allergic to sesame seed oil or any of the ingredients of CBD oil. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients. Cannibidiol may cause certain side effects, including diarrhea, loss of appetite and problems with walking. You should be aware that your mental health may change in unexpected ways and you may become suicidal while you are taking cannabis products. There is a risk that you may experience changes in your mental health if you take an anticonvulsant medication such as cannabidiol, but there may also be a risk that you will experience changes in your mental health if your condition is not treated. You and your doctor will decide whether the risks of taking an anticonvulsant are greater than the risks of not taking the medication.