A topic has captured the public’s interest recently. There are numerous arguments and discussions around CBD.
According to the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), the number of people authorized to use cannabis-based medicines has been growing.
To give you an idea, about 35,000 people were allowed to use the drug in 2021.
More than 2,000 medical experts who write prescriptions for drugs use the plant as a treatment assistance.
But do you understand how this authorisation procedure functions? Who is eligible to request the use of CBD? Which illnesses does it recommend treating?
There are numerous questions, but don’t worry —we’ll answer them in this text. Keep reading.
What is cannabidiol and what is it used for?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is used to treat pain, inflammation, neurological and psychiatric disorders.
This substance is extracted from the “Cannabis sativa” plant and acts on the central nervous system and the Endocannabinoid system. That is why it is considered effective in treating various ailments. We listed the main ones below.
Anxiety and depression
As it is considered a natural anxiolytic, CBD helps in the treatment of anxiety and depression, however, without the side effects of allopathic medicines – the traditional ones.
The study published in the journal Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry pointed out that the use of cannabidiol in the treatment of these pathologies, combined with the use of low doses of inhibitory antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, for example, produces an effective antidepressant effect.
Alzheimer’s
Studies conducted by the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at the Faculty of Bonn in Germany revealed that the loss of skills completely decreased. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that brain cells have increased binding.
As a result, CBD is thought to be useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease since some cannabinoids can lessen the disease’s impacts of inflammation and beta-amyloid deposition in the brain.
Fibromyalgia
As Cannabis acts directly on sleep disorders and the treatment of chronic pain, studies indicate that it is quite effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Further research is needed to understand the correct dosage, however, the content that analyzes the addition of medical cannabis in the standard analgesic treatment for fibromyalgia has brought positive results for the treatment.
The research, published in 2018 by the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, followed 26 patients diagnosed with the disease. The results of this follow-up showed that 100% of patients improved their symptoms after using CBD for fibromyalgia.
Also according to the study, 50% of patients stopped taking traditional medicines and only 30% reported mild side effects.
Autism
The use of cannabidiol has also been shown to be effective in treating children on the autism spectrum. Some parents reported that their children’s anxiety levels fell, they became less agitated and aggressive, and their sleep quality improved after using CBD.
In addition to parental reports, an important study published in the journal Nature – one of the most important vehicles in the field – brought good results for the use of CBD in the treatment of autism.
The research “Real life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism: Analysis of Safety and Efficacy” analyzed 188 patients with a mean age of 12.9 years, diagnosed with ASD and who were treated with medical cannabis between 2015 and 2017. After six months of treatment, the study’s findings revealed that:
- 30.1% of patients reported significant improvement in symptoms;
- 53.7% reported a moderate response;
- 6.4% reported slight improvement;
- 8.6% reported no improvement.
Detailing the survey, 75% of patients reported improvement or complete disappearance of some symptoms such as temper tantrums, sleep problems, restlessness, digestion problems, anxiety and constipation.
However, the same effectiveness has not been proven in speech disorders, increase or loss of appetite, cognitive deficits, mobility and incontinence.
Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease treatment is another area where cannabidiol is useful. This is due to the capacity to inhibit glial activation, excitotoxicity, and dopamine-producing neuron degeneration. Glia are nervous system cells that support and nourish neurons.
Asthma
Conventional treatment of asthma is done with anti-inflammatories that dilate the bronchial passages and allow you to breathe normally.
In this sense, a study by the British Journal of Pharmacology points to the same effects in the use of cannabidiol to control the disease, which can be a natural alternative treatment.
Epilepsy
Another study pointing to positive outcomes in the use of CBD for the treatment of epilepsy was published in the Brazilian Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry. Three double-blind controlled clinical trials and three uncontrolled human experimental experiments were used in the research.
From these experiments, an improvement in the frequency of seizures was observed. This percentage varies between 43% and total control of epileptic seizures.
With these data, the authors concluded that there was “a reduction in the frequency of epileptic seizures, in addition to an overall improvement in quality of life in subjects with refractory epilepsy”.
What are the side effects of cannabidiol?
Contrary to popular belief, the use of CBD is not addictive. However, there might also be other negative effects like tiredness and dizziness. Therefore, medical follow-up is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.
The advantages of using cannabidiol are pretty considerable with the assistance of a specialist and the appropriate dosage of the medication. Below are other less common effects cannabidiol can have:
- changes in appetite;
- somnolence;
- changes in taste;
- diarrhea etc.
Where can you buy cannabidiol in Brazil?
The importation of Cannabis-based products in Brazil was regulated by ANVISA, through COLLEGIATE BOARD RESOLUTION – RDC 17/2015 and updated COLLEGIATE BOARD RESOLUTION – RDC 660/2022.
These resolutions simplified the process and now the drug arrives at the patient’s home without many complications.
However, before indicating the drug, it is important to research the suppliers and the quality of the product being offered.
That’s because not all oils and medicines are made the same way, so research is always important.
Ease Labs, for example, is a multinational company that is a reference in this type of EA assignment and mediates with the aim of making the process even easier for the patient.
Who can prescribe cannabidiol?
All doctors can prescribe CBD-based medicines. In addition to the prescription, an authorization is required to import the product, the patient must present an identity card and proof of address.
The import authorization is issued in five working days and the control of the documentation is done by a platform created by the Brazilian Government.
In it, the patient will need to attach all the documents mentioned above and also provide the identification data of the responsible doctor.
Cannabidiol prescription form
The prescription must include the name and documentation of the patient, the product to be used, the correct dosage and the quantities that will be needed. In addition, it is also necessary to stipulate the duration of treatment.
To facilitate and help you in your prescription, we have the Medical Area. In this exclusive space, there is a standard and editable template so that you can register all your patient’s data.
I hope you enjoyed it and that you were able to understand the importance of cannabidiol and how to provide it to your patients.
Now that you know what CBD is, how about continuing your studies and understanding a little more about cannabinoids? Request a visit from one of our representatives.
