Separating facts from fiction: therapeutic uses of CBD
The cannabis plant has been around for over 6 000 years and has a rich history of medicinal usage.1
The most commonly used strain of cannabis is known as the Cannabis sativa plant,2 which contains cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).3 While THC is the psychoactive (mind-altering) component of cannabis, CBD is non-psychoactive and has been shown to have several beneficial pharmacological effects for a number of conditions and symptoms. These include pain, inflammatory disease, epilepsy, anxiety, nausea, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.4
In 2019, our Government announced that CBD preparations containing a maximum daily dose of 20 mg, may be sold in South Africa.5
Adcock Ingram (Pty) Ltd has consequently launched ADCO CBD PAIN available in drops (15 ml and 30 ml), capsule and gel format (50 g), ADCO CBD STRESS available in drops (15 ml and 30 ml) and capsule format and ADCO CBD DAILY available in drops (15 ml and 30 ml), and capsule format. Products are laboratory tested, quality controlled, and do not contain sugar or tartrazine.
References: 1. Hand, A. & Blake, Alexia & Kerrigan, Paul & Samuel, P. & Friedberg, Jeremy. (2016). History of medical cannabis. Cannabis: Medical Aspects. 9. 387-394. 2. Gould J. The cannabis crop. Nature 2015;525:52-53. 3. Morales P, Hurst DP, Reggio PH. Molecular targets of the phytocannabinoids – a complex picture. Prog Chem Org Nat Prod 2017;103 103–131. 4. Pisanti S, Malfitano AM, Ciaglia E, et al. Cannabidiol: State of the art and new challenges for therapeutic applications. Pharmacol Ther 2017;175:133-150. 5. Department of Health, Government Gazette. Regulation Gazette No. 10949; 23 May 2019, vol. 647, no. 42477.
