NERVE DAMAGE & ASSOCIATON
Nerve pain and neuropathy (damaged nerve cells) have been identified in multiple diseases and illnesses. Clinically, neuropathy has been associated with HIV/AIDS, muscular dystrophy, kidney failure, hereditary motor & sensory neuropathy, compression fractures and breaks, alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease and aging.
Although nerves as well as nerve injuries can be characterized in many different ways, the biggest focus surrounding nerve injury and damage is the pain and weakness associated with the injury, along potential inhibition of motor function. Often time neuropathy can pose long-term, unforeseen outcomes due to complexity of nervous tissue and the nervous system itself.
WHAT DOES THE LITERATURE SAY ABOUT CBD?
A systematic review of the literature in 2006 by Iskedjian et al. compiled multiple studies, which examined neuropathic pain of 298 participants in response to cannabidiol (CBD) versus a placebo. Measurement of pain was subjective to an 11-point ordinal scale or a visual analogue scale amongst the studies examined. The study was able to conclude that in response to CBD administration, there was a statistically significant decrease in subjective pain score measures amongst the cannabis group in relationship to the placebo group. In addition biochemical analysis in animal models have expressed reductions in oxidative stress by CBD administration. Data would suggest that CBD attenuates destructive effects on neurons by decreasing oxidative stress and ultimately providing protection to the myelination of neurons (protective lining of the cells) Sajjadian et al., 2017.
Although further research in the area of the central and peripheral nervous system in response to cannabis is needed to be conclusive, investigators are now on the breaking point of the abolishment of federal legislation over hemp products. This will open up a whole new avenue of clinical and academic research that can take place in human models within the institutions that are paving the way for medical and pharmaceutical research.
References:
- Iskedjian M, Bereza B, Gordon A, Piwko C, Einarson TR. Meta-analysis of cannabis based treatments for neuropathic and multiple sclerosis-related pain. Curr Med Res Opin2007;
- SAJJADIAN, Maryam et al. Protective effects of cannabidiol on cuprizone-induced demyelination in C57BL/6 mice. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, [S.l.], v. 3, n. 11, p. 278-283, sep. 2017. ISSN 2413-0516.
