New Research Explores the Effects of Cannabidiol on General Health

Introduction
Laura Stewart, a professor at the University of Northern Colorado, has been studying the impact of physical exercise on immunity for over 20 years. However, her interests have shifted towards the relationship between cannabidiol (CBD) and immune system function in the last decade. The scientist is captivated by this topic, as she has discovered a significant gap between public perceptions of cannabis and CBD and scientifically proven facts.

The Misinformation Problem about CBD
According to Stewart, while companies marketing cannabis products should back their claims with research, a lot of information circulating on social media is far from real scientific findings.

Particularly, there’s a lot of misinformation regarding the effects of CBD on general health due to two main reasons:

Most marketing claims about the benefits of cannabis lack scientific evidence. And where research exists, the requirements for presenting it are minimal.
Exaggerated perceptions of CBD’s benefits prevail in unregulated public opinion. People from various professions recommend its use for different reasons, relying on personal experience rather than science. This encourages others to try and buy unverified products.
The problem is exacerbated by the lack of control over many CBD products – dietary supplements, cosmetics, food items. They are often manufactured and sold without oversight, with unconfirmed contents.

Scientific Data on the Properties of CBD
According to the WHO report, CBD is the second most studied compound in cannabis after THC. Since 2018, CBD from hemp has been federally legal in the USA.

The most convincing evidence of CBD’s benefits has been found in treating rare forms of epilepsy in children – Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. Animal studies and human research also suggest potential efficacy for anxiety, insomnia, chronic, and neuropathic pain. However, these results require further confirmation.

New CBD Research
With extensive experience in studying the effects of exercise and botanicals on immunity, Dr. Stewart began researching the impact of cannabis and CBD on the immune system since 2014.

Initial works from 2016-2019 focused on differences in immunity between cannabis users and non-users, especially regarding physical activity. Basic health indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, and body composition were assessed. Overall, no significant differences between the groups were observed, except in power tests. Some cannabis users couldn’t maintain the same power level during maximal speed cycling as non-users. Although the results were statistically insignificant due to the small sample size, this fact is interesting for athletes and coaches.

In 2021, Stewart conducted a clinical trial with 8-week CBD consumption by healthy volunteers. Potential effects on natural killer cells – immune cells capable of destroying tumors were observed. Differences between groups in wakefulness after sleep were also noted.

In the latest study, the impact of CBD on overall health was assessed. A global beverage manufacturer contacted UNC for clinical trials before launching a drink with CBD. The study examined the effects on physical and mental health, cognitive functions, and attention focus. The results showed no significant effects of daily CBD use by healthy individuals over 8 weeks.

New Research Center
Stewart’s years of work have not only led to new discoveries but also to the creation of partnerships. Last year, with the support of the dean, UNC opened the new Complementary Health and Integrative Physiology Center (CHIPC). It will further research cannabis and other natural substances, their impact on health, and foster collaboration between science and business. A planned joint project with a pharmaceutical company will assess the effects of CBD on veterans.

Conclusion
“Cannabis is a very interesting plant, and we are still learning a lot more about its potential impact on mental and physical health,” says Dr. Stewart. “I am happy to share this news with the public and continue research in this area.”

Indeed, only further scientific investigations will separate the facts about CBD’s properties from conjecture. Objective information is crucial for people to make informed decisions about using this popular but still under-researched substance. The work of scientists like Laura Stewart contributes invaluable knowledge about CBD for the benefit of health.