Current Cannabidiol Safety: A Review

Curr Drug Saf. 2023;18(4):465-473. doi: 10.2174/1574886317666220902100511.

Abstract

Background: Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is the second most widely used illegal psychoactive substance smoked worldwide after tobacco, mainly due to the psychoactive effects induced by D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC). Cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted from cannabis and may be used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Some patents on cannabidiol are discussed in this review. The cannabinoid is a non-psychoactive isomer of the more infamous tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); and is available in several administration modes, most known as CBD oil.

Objectives: This study aims to provide an enhanced review of cannabidiol properties used in treating inflammation. This review also emphasises the current safety profile of cannabidiol.

Methods: Cannabis is also called Marijuana. It is the second most commonly used illegal psychoactive substance in the universe after tobacco. D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) present in cannabis produces psychoactive effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from cannabis is used for antiinflammatory purposes. Cannabis smoking causes various types of cancer, such as lung, tongue, and jaw. The current review took literature from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Google Patents. Many clinical investigations are included in this review.

Result: After analysing the literature on cannabis, it has been suggested that although cannabis is banned in some countries, it may be included in the treatment and mitigation of some diseases and symptoms like pain management, epilepsy, cancer, and anxiety disorder. Mild side effects were frequently observed in cannabis medications, which included infertility in females, liver damage, etc. Conclusion: Cannabis contains chemical compounds such as the cannabinoids delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive substance, and non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabidiol has been confirmed as an efficient treatment of epilepsy in several clinical trials, with one pure CBD product named Epidiolex. It is also used in treating anxiety and acne, as a pain reliever, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Keywords: CBD; Cannabidiol; D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC); cannabis; marijuana; safety.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cannabidiol* / pharmacology
  • Cannabidiol* / therapeutic use
  • Cannabinoids
  • Cannabis
  • Dronabinol / adverse effects
  • Dronabinol / analysis
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans

Substances

  • Cannabidiol
  • Cannabinoids
  • Dronabinol
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents