Good evening guys 😎,
I thought that I could share a healthy recipe right away, but unfortunately, I have a gastrointestinal virus that has literally taken me away from the kitchen for a few days.
I therefore took advantage of this "bed rest" to talk about a topic dear to me, as it has been the subject of my clinical studies for several years: the beneficial effects of cannabis.
Well yes!!! Today we are talking about the therapeutic use of cannabis.
We all know well the recreational use of cannabis, but how many of us know the role of CBD in human health?
Picture: Cannabis extract. Source: from the author
The last year, me and my research team published, on important international journal, the results of study on short-term therapeutic effects, safety/tolerability of natural compound composed of melatonin and cannabis extracts, in patients with sleep disorders.
Picture: The abstract of our scientific paper. Source: from the author
Insomnia is a common disorder affecting quality of sleep and daily productivity.
One-third of the general adult population reports the presence of insomnia at some time, with primary insomnia being the most common diagnosis.
Insomnia is also associated with an increased risk for mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and alcoholism, but also with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome, acute coronary syndrome, and hypertension.
Cannabis Sativa and Indica are the most widespread plant species worldwide, they contain more than 80 cannabinoids mainly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the former has definite psycho activity, the latter is provided of other neurological effects through the CBD receptors network, modulating especially chronic pain and other central and peripheral nervous disorders.
Melatonin has strong antioxidant activity either directly covering or indirectly through melatonin receptors 1 and 2, promoting antioxidant tissue enzymatic activity, inducing glutathione synthesis, stabilizing the mitochondrial electronic chain to prevent electric charges leakage; conversely it can also display prooxidant activities. It has a key role in synchronizing circadian rhythms, namely the sleep-wake cycle.
In our trial, 20 patients (age 43-96 years) were appealed to our Medical Consulting Network, because of a variable pattern of sleep disorders and anxiety and were instructed to take sublingually a galenic preparation (20 drops) composed by CBD (2,5 mg) + melatonin (1,5 mg), overnight for 3 months of treatment.
Tolerability and adverse effects were assessed monthly through direct contact (email or telephone) or visit if required.
Picture: Trend in sleep disorders over the study period of three months. Source: from the author
Picture: Trend in emotional disorders over the study period. Source: from the author
PSQUI (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index) and HAM-A (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) questionnaire scores evidenced reduction in mood alterations, including anxiety, panic, paranoia, depression and good general health perceptions.
Picture: Average values of PSQI and HAM-A indices during the study period. Source: from the author
In conclusion, these data suggest that the formula CBD-melatonin could be competitive with the classic hypnotic synthetic drugs: the antioxidant activity of melatonin offers a further benefit to the brain network, restoring the biological clock functions, while CBD, reducing chronic pain perception, helps to complete the neuromuscular relaxation and to relieve anxiety fulfilling a very balanced sensation of wellbeing during the sleep.
And you? What do you think about it?
Leave here your comment 👇🏼
*This article and the information contained are meant in NO form to be a medical or health advice and for the use of all the substances in this article you better contact a physician to prescribe those drugs and who is fully aware of your health situation and potential health issues.