The director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Nora Volkow, recently showed support for redoubling research efforts on cannabis. She particularly wants further research done on cannabidiol (CDB) and its therapeutic effects.
Volkow feels that CBD may yet have a range of medicinal uses that we have yet to discover, such as how it can help with seizures and neurological disorders. She goes as far as to say, “In the impassioned, often emotional debates these days over medical marijuana, CBD is often cited as one of the main reasons restrictions on marijuana should be loosened.”
There has been plenty of research completed on CBD already, but scientists have only just dipped a toe in the pool. Of the research collected, we do know that CBD can have a major effect on epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS). Moreover, scientists have recently discovered that CBD can play a part in speeding up bone fracture recovery rates.
Using CBD for medicinal purposes is far from a new concept; although, it was brought “back into fashion” two years ago after a CNN piece by Dr. Sanjay Gupta discussing medical cannabis.
Since the 1970s, scientists have known the potential use of CBD for seizure patients. In the 70s, there were a few (positive) small trials run on epileptic adults; however, the potential to help epileptic children is the true driving force behind the need for additional CBD research.
By speaking out in favor of CBD research, Volkow hopes research forays can increase quickly and that patients in need can receive treatment from CBD.
Speaking with conviction, Volkow states, “Parents can’t wait — their children are growing; their children’s brains are actively developing; and the repeated seizures may be damaging this growth. Parents currently must navigate states’ medical marijuana laws or defy the law to obtain CBD extracts — which, in the current unregulated market, may be of questionable quality and content.”
Read more about this story here.
