User:Madkamin/sandbox

Psychotropic Effect

Additionally, a study focusing on the inhibition of cocaine-induced seizures in rats displayed the potential anti-epileptic benefits of CBD.^[21]

The results of one study indicate that the administration of cannabidiol may reduce subjective anxiety in patients diagnosed with SAD.^[24]

Research on cannabidiol has shown its efficacy in improving the psychotic symptoms of patients with Schizophrenia by elevating levels of anandamide, an antipsychotic endocannabinoid, in the body. These studies also showed that patients given CBD displayed less adverse side-effects than patients given other antipsychotic drugs.^[25] Patients with Huntington's disease reported reduction in chorea severity after taking CBD.^[26]

Other research indicates CBD as a possible form of therapy and intervention for those suffering from substance abuse, due to its association with the neural circuits involved in addictive behaviors. CBD has an effect on the 5-HT1A receptor which controls stress responses and compulsive behaviors.^[27] Studies in rats show that CBD has in impact on opioid addiction and psychostimulant addiction. There have been studies showing cannabidiol as having a positive impact on cannabis andtobacco addictions in humans.^[27]

CBD enhanced cannabis

Selective breeding by growers in the USA dramatically lowered the CBD content of cannabis; their customers preferred varietals that were more mind-altering due to a higher THC, lower CBD content.^[1] This is because cannabidiol's relatively low affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors does not produce the effects of intoxication and memory loss commonly experienced by THC users.^[2] These individuals are generally less interested in alleviating medical symptoms, and more interested in pursuing the euphoria-inducing effects of cannabis with a higher THC, lower CBD content. However, it is significant to consider the synergistic nature of the two cannabinoids and their ability to enhance one another's therapeutic effects.^[3] For example, research suggests CBD may augment the anti-inflammatory benefits of THC. The two molecules in combination have also been reported to more aptly reduce neuropathic pain in users.^[3] To meet the demands of medical cannabis patients, growers are currently developing more CBD-rich strains.^[4]

Pharmacodynamics

Cannabidiol may act as an agonist of VR1, desensitizing it to the action of capsaicin, which partially potentates CBD as anti-inflammatory.^[43]

Chemistry

The synthesis of cannabidiol has been accomplished by several research groups, commonly through the combination of Olivetol and p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol in the presence of Boron trifluoride.^[54][55][56]

Biosynthesis

An acid-catalyzed reaction between geranylpyrophosphate and olivetolate producesCannabigerolic acid. In the last step, however, CBD acid synthase is used to yield CBDA rather than THC acid synthase being used to produce THCA.^[57][58]

Legality

Epidiolex, a cannabidiol-containing medication, has received orphan drug status in the United States for treatment of Dravet syndrome, which will allow it to be studied.^[61] Though the extraction of CBD from industrial hemp is currently legally permitted throughout the United States, extracting CBD from medical marijuana plants may only be performed in states in which medical marijuana is legal.^[62]

Legislation has been passed in several states which allows for the medicinal use of products high in CBD. One piece of such legislation is Carly's Law, passed in Alabama in April of 2014, which permits the prescribed use of cannabidiol for patients with severely-debilitating epilepsy.^[63] In Alabama, CBD extracts may not contain plant material and must contain < 3% of THC.^[64]

Picture link

File:CannabidiolBiosynthesisDiagram.jpg

The last step in the synthesis of cannbidiol/THC.