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Each year has highs and lows. In 2022, CBD had some good highs. Non-intoxicating, of course. Countries around the globe began loosening restrictions on cannabinoids derived from hemp, like CBD—leading scientists to lean into curiosity around cannabidiol and its therapeutic potential. From anxiety in dogs to COVID cures, 2022 was a year of exploring new ways to use CBD. Let’s take an honest look at the science and what exactly we learned about CBD in 2022.
CBD & Seizures
A review and meta-analysis of CBD use found that the cannabinoid may help manage pediatric epilepsy.¹ "CBD is highly efficacious both as standalone and adjunct therapy with clobazam for controlling seizures in children with Dravet syndrome (DS), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) conditions while limiting side effects." CBD is one of the main ingredients in the FDA-approved drug Epidiolex that’s used to treat children suffering from seizures associated with LGS and TSC.
Another study conducted by researchers at John Hopkins found that CBD products might make it easier for people with epilepsy to tolerate the negative side effects associated with anti-seizure medications, and seems to improve the quality of life for patients.² “In our study, we saw clinically significant improvements in anxiety, depression, and sleep when patients with epilepsy initiated therapeutic use of artisanal CBD products.”
CBD & Intoxication
Further confirmation of what we already know—CBD will not get you high.³ A study published by the Journal of Psychopharmacology stated "Acute, oral CBD treatment doesn’t appear to induce feelings of intoxication and is unlikely to impair cognitive function or driving performance." Which means people can rest assured that, so long as their products aren’t full spectrum—which does have small traces of THC, it’s practically impossible to get high from using CBD.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that CBD and alcohol do not mix.⁴ One study found that combining alcohol with CBD caused impairment to motor skills and time perceptions; and might amplify some of the sedative effects of alcohol. However, study participants did not experience any impairment when they took CBD by itself.
CBD & Rheumatic Diseases
The Current Rheumatology Reports have also assessed CBD use for musculoskeletal diseases like arthritis. In a preclinical investigation examining the effects CBD has on rheumatic diseases, the authors found that "evidence suggests analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects."⁵ Anecdotally, people suffering from issues linked to inflamed joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments, bones, and muscles have turned to topical CBD to reliably address their pain.⁶
Gen Z & CBD
In a year filled with anxiety, many turned to CBD as an aid to de-stress—including a very uneasy younger generation. One study investigated young adults in six different U.S. metropolitan cities and found that over half reported using CBD—with 32.0% reporting current use.⁷ Most young adults surveyed believe that CBD is safe, effective, and beneficial for managing pain, anxiety, and sleep issues.
CBD & Dogs
Much like human supplements, CBD supplements also come in an assortment of pet products. This year, one study rigorously tested whether or not giving your dogs CBD daily was good for their health.⁸ They took 40 healthy dogs and gave half of them ~2mg of CBD per pound of body weight daily for six months and then compared the results to a control group. After testing urine, blood, and feces from each dog, they found that a once-daily oral dose of CBD is well-tolerated and safe for dogs.
Earlier this year, researchers looking at the impact of CBD on canines also discovered that the cannabinoid can exert anti-seizure effects in rodents and human patients.⁹ "Available data from other species, including human patients, suggests that it’s likely CBD can exert anticonvulsant effects in dogs." There are many veterinary-approved CBD products crafted especially for our four-legged family—like Lazarus Naturals Dog Chews—which pet parents administer for help with managing their anxiety, aches, digestion, and overall wellness.
CBD & Appetite
For those looking to manage their weight and stay healthy, researchers are examining a variety of cannabinoids and their effects on appetite. In a review of studies, Clinical Drug Investigation researchers re-examined a total of 11 trials—looking at the relationship between cannabinoids and appetite.¹⁰ "Of these, the majority reported cannabidiol reducing appetite and/or body weight; whilst some found no significant changes—with one trial describing an increase in appetite." As further research is necessary to fully understand CBD's impact on appetite, it’s intriguing to look at how the cannabinoid could be vital for people suffering from health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity.
CBD & COVID
Can CBD help prevent COVID severity? Preliminary research says no. In a study on the effects of the short-term use of a high CBD serving on COVID-19, it was concluded that a high dose of 300mg of CBD for two weeks "failed to alter" the clinical evolution.¹¹
However, conflicting studies found that while CBD can’t prevent COVID-19, or other viruses for that matter, it may be able to help with some of the unpleasant side effects of being sick. It may reduce inflammation in the head and sinuses, and it could interact with your immune system to potentially help feel better faster. However, it shouldn’t be used as a medication or preventative measure for any illness. Further trials will explore the therapeutic effect of CBD in patients with severe COVID-19, possibly trying higher serving sizes than those used in previous studies.
CBD Around The World
As hemp and cannabis are decriminalized and continuously more socially acceptable across the world, scientific minds have been flocking to understand cannabinoids. In a clinical trial in New Zealand, researchers administered CBD to people between the ages of 12 to 25 and found "CBD can reduce anxiety severity and has an adequate safety profile in young people with treatment-resistant anxiety disorders."¹²
In Mexico, a study concluded that when CBD was used along with cognitive therapies, it could possibly help with quelling anxiety.¹³ "Considering the results observed in the reported cases, it can be concluded that the personalized prescription of CBD can be a treatment option with a wide range of safety." In conclusion, researchers found that no adverse effects were observed or reported while people took CBD.
Just like the rest of us, CBD has had quite a year. Whether you're new to CBD, a daily doser, or cannabinoid-curious—rest assured that CBD is on the top of researchers' minds, with more and more studies confirming that CBD is safe to use. At Lazarus Naturals, we believe the best CBD is safe and sustainably derived hemp extracts—which is why we have always partnered up with third-party labs to test all of our products. Learn about CBD and other cannabinoids on our blog and explore our range of products to support you in the new year!
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SOURCES:
¹https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014488622002631
²https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1525505021004662
³https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02698811221095356
⁴https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/120541/
⁵https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11926-022-01077-3
⁶https://www.lazarusnaturals.com/products/topicals
⁷https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/can.2022.0029
⁸https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.977457/full
¹⁰https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40261-022-01205-y
¹¹https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/can.2021.0093
¹³https://www.drugsincontext.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/dic.2022-3-2.pdf