Cannabidiol in Neurology: Current Insights and Translational Perspectives

TL;DR

Cannabidiol (CBD) shows promise for treating neurological disorders without psychoactive effects, but more research is needed to understand its full potential and risks.

Contribution

This review provides a comprehensive assessment of CBD's therapeutic potential and safety in neurological conditions based on preclinical and clinical studies.

Findings

CBD has therapeutic potential for epilepsy, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative diseases.

CBD is generally safe but may cause mild side effects and drug interactions.

Epidiolex and Sativex are currently approved CBD-based medications for specific neurological conditions.

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most studied compounds of Cannabis sativa and has attracted significant interest due to its therapeutic and beneficial properties, which have been confirmed in numerous preclinical and clinical studies over the last few years. A great advantage of CBD over the other widely known Cannabis sativa ingredient, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is that CBD does not exert intoxicating and psychoactive effects, making it an attractive candidate for therapeutic applications in neurological disorders. CBD has been shown to exert antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, with therapeutic potential for various neurological conditions. To date, the only drug that consists solely of highly purified CBD is Epidiolex, which is used in the management of severe forms of epilepsy such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome. Another legal medication containing CBD (albeit with the addition of THC) is Sativex, used to alleviate spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Besides epilepsy, preclinical data suggest that CBD alone may be potentially beneficial in treating chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, or stroke. The safety profile of CBD is generally considered favorable, as the most commonly reported adverse effects are mild (e.g., somnolence, diarrhea). However, much attention should be paid as CBD-driven drug–drug interactions have been reported. This review article aims to assess the outcomes of preclinical and clinical research on CBD’s effects in various neurological conditions while also addressing potential risks and concerns related to its use.

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