Here's the best way to assist your patients in discerning between two different cannabinoids.
Most Americans have had the pleasure of trying CBD at most once. Being the most readily accessible health experts, pharmacists play an important role in helping patients decide whether a marijuana or CBD item is suitable for their needs. It could be as simple as choosing the right product, looking for interactions between drugs, or in patient education, pharmacists can offer valuable information to people contemplating using marijuana or CBD-derived item.
This article will outline what pharmacists need to know about CBD and marijuana and how they can help patients concerned about the differences in safety and efficacy of these items.
The difference between CBD and. marijuana
Cannabinoids can be identified as compounds in the cannabis plant Cannabis sativa. Cannabis, which is also known as marijuana, has over 100 cannabinoids. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cannabinoid responsible for producing the mind-altering effects or "high" associated with marijuana use. THC oil and concentrates can be found in vape devices. There are higher levels of THC associated with greater results of marijuana.
CBD is a cannabinoid. (CBD) is an additional cannabinoid. However, it does not trigger a "high." The United States Congress authorized CBD made from hemp in 2018 when the Agricultural Improvement Act was signed into law, which removed hemp's use from the Federal Controlled Substances Act. Hemp is any component of cannabis that has less than 0.3 percent THC and is linked to lesser effects of psychoactive substances.
CBD has been proven to be an interacting agent with more than 65 receptors found in our body. CBD affects vanilloid receptors that play a role in inflammation, pain, convulsions, body temperature, psychosis, and other functions and pathologies. CBD can also alter serotonin and dopamine receptors, potentially affecting mood, anxiety, and blood pressure.
The legality of CBD as compared to. marijuana
Numerous studies have demonstrated the advantages of cannabis for alleviating symptoms of various diseases, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and glaucoma. It is also a treatment for MS. In the wake of this, several states now allow medicinal marijuana use.
In March 2023, State 21 legalized marijuana. In addition, 38 states have allowed cannabis for medical reasons. Seven states have permitted CBD for medical conditions only.
But, on a national level, marijuana is considered a Schedule I controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Schedule I drugs are among the most closely controlled and controlled substances due to the "high potential for abuse" and "no currently accepted medical use" per DEA rules.
You may have heard of CBD derived from hemp and CBD derived from cannabis. Their main distinction is in their legality: CBD is considered legal if it is derived from hemp per the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. But cannabis-derived CBD has yet to be legal in several states, like Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Discussion of CBD in comparison to. Marijuana with the patients
Make it clear to your clients that CBD derived from hemp does not cause a "high" like cannabis-derived CBD since it doesn't contain THC. CBD extracted from hemp is important in relaxing and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant impacts. When used properly, CBD derived from hemp is secure and helps manage the co-morbidities like chronic pain, which is resistant to conventional medications.
If you counsel patients, ensure they feel confident with the administration process and the dosing regimen. It is important to encourage patients to write down the way they feel. This will allow you to determine when to increase dosages or decrease the frequency. Patients should be taking the least dose that has sufficient results.
Effectiveness data are available on CBD as well as THC
Because many CBD products can be combined with THC, There is a lack of medical evidence available to support the effectiveness of CBD by itself in reducing pain.
Furthermore, not every CBD is created equal. The major difference between CBD derived from hemp and cannabis CBD is that CBD from hemp doesn't cause a "high," whereas cannabis-derived CBD is more potent and contains greater THC can do so.
In a study in 2019, researchers utilized CBD from hemp in people who were taking opioids to treat their chronic discomfort. The study revealed five-thirds of participants decreased or stopped using opioids within the first eight weeks after implementing a hemp-CBD program. In addition, 94% of those in this study had improvements in their quality of life after using hemp CBD to alleviate their chronic pain.
A study of small size in the year 2020 examined the effects of hemp CBD, CBD from cannabis that contains THC or placebo, among patients who have Fibromyalgia. Results showed that THC resulted in a substantial rise in pain threshold compared to the placebo. The inhalation of THC during this research increased THC blood levels. Still, it decreased analgesia's effects, suggesting that a single inhalation of THC is not enough to trigger any analgesic effects. But it was observed that when THC was mixed with CBD, THC blood levels were elevated, resulting in a greater analgesia effect.
Furthermore, a study published in 2022 showed that those with a higher THC-to-CBD ratio performed better in relieving chronic pain than any other agent by itself, suggesting that THC helps manage pain by producing euphoria.
The importance of counseling in CBD
In counseling patients about CBD products, pharmacists must be responsible for informing patients of potential dangers. These include possible adverse side effects and who shouldn't use CBD or THC products.
What patients shouldn't avoid CBD?
Certain contraindications to the usage of CBD/THC-based products are the presence of an allergy to cannabis or schizophrenia, psychosis during pregnancy, psychosis during the effects of lactation, heart attacks, COPD, as well as uncontrolled asthma and liver or kidney impairment.
- CBD side effects
- Possible side effects from CBD can include:
- Not feeling as alert
- Drowsiness
- Gastrointestinal pain
- Diarrhea
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Interactions with drugs
CBD interferes with several CYP enzymes as well as triggering some others. THC blocks CYP3A4, the enzymatic pathway involved in metabolizing many drugs, including antifungals, statins, and other glucocorticoids. Inhibiting CYP3A4 CBD/THC may enhance patients' exposure to the medications they are taking, thereby increasing the chance of toxicities and adverse side effects.
The prescription drug derived from marijuana
As a pharmacist may be wondering how prescription medicines vary in comparison to CBD as well as THC.
Epidiolex is a marijuana-derived plant medicine that contains a purified version of CBD. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the medication for treating seizures that are associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
Two other drugs, dronabinol, and nabilone, can be synthesized in order to make them akin to THC. They are prescribed to improve appetite among patients who are receiving chemotherapy.
Bottom line
Cannabinoids all have psychoactive properties in some way, impacting the mind and possibly altering the state of alertness, mood, and thinking. One of the major differences between CBD and marijuana is that marijuana is used to induce euphoria, but CBD does not. CBD from hemp is legal and often utilized for symptom alleviation for chronic pain, inflammation, epilepsy, and other autoimmune diseases.
When thoroughly reviewing medical documents and medical histories, Pharmacists can provide suggestions on how to consume CBD or cannabis products safely. The pharmacist can provide crucial information regarding how safe to take and utilize CBD products and assist with selecting products for best use.
