Cannabis in Nursing (Discussion Post)
According to research studies, cannabis contain more than one hundred different chemical compounds called cannabinoids. However, Cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two well-known chemical compounds derived from cannabis. These two compounds have different uses based on their possible effects and benefits, especially to health. Both THC and CBD affect the endocannabinoid system. This system is critical in human functioning because of the processes associated with it that include memory, appetite, sleep, fertility, and mood. The implication is that while THC and CBD have similarities, they are some critical differences between the two compounds. The first one is that THC is psychoactive meaning that it makes one high. However, CBD is non-psychoactive implying that it does not produce such an effect (Berger et al., 2020). Further, THC is sourced from marijuana but CBD is sourced from hemp. In humans, CBD does not show or demonstrate any effect of abuse or possible dependence. Further, no evidence of public health problems related to the use of pure CBD. Researchers believe that CBD may increase the effects of other cannabinoids or binds to other receptors to create more medical effects in the body. Again, the amount of THC in hemp and other cannabis plants is different as studies show that cannabis sativa has less than 0.3% THC as hemp (Freeman et al., 2019). Therefore, as both compounds have different effects and benefits, it is imperative to note that CBD is used for health purposes for many conditions as compared to THC.
CBD is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, seizures, depression, psychosis and mental health disorders as well as migraine. Further, CBD is considered to offer effective interventions for a host of health issues like childhood epilepsy syndromes like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which in many instances does not respond to anti-seizure medications. The emergence of different types of infectious conditions like acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) means that scientists should look for new treatments.
A study by Nguyen et al. (2022) shows that cannabidiol can inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 by inducing the host ER stress and innate immune responses. The study shows that CBD and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD can block SARS-CoV-2 replication in the epithelial cells in the lungs. The study notes that CBD acts after the entry of the virus and stops or impairs viral gene expression leading to a reversal of many effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the host gene transcription. The study shows that CBD has the potential to prevent early or onset stage of the severe acute respiratory syndrome infections.
The study recommends the need for more research in the future to assess the overall efficacy of CBD in treatment of such infectious diseases. The implication is that this study shows that CBD has the potential to offer therapeutic interventions aimed at treating different conditions that include SARS-CoV-2 and inflammation as well as insomnia, anxiety and chronic pain as well as addiction. Other studies also show that CBD can treat arthritis. The legalization of cannabis debate at state and federal levels is healthy as many scientists consider the overall health benefits of these derivatives to improve outcomes for individuals with different conditions Nguyen et al., 2022). While cannabis remains the most cultivate and trafficked as well as abused illicit drug in the world, it can offer different medicinal benefits for various health conditions, including SARS-CoV-2.
References
Berger, A. A., Keefe, J., Winnick, A., Gilbert, E., Eskander, J. P., Yazdi, C., … & Urits, I.
(2020). Cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Best Practice & Research Clinical Anesthesiology, 34(3), 617-631. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2020.08.010.
Freeman, T. P., Hindocha, C., Green, S. F., & Bloomfield, M. A. (2019). Medicinal use of
cannabis based products and cannabinoids. BMJ, 365. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.l1141.
Nguyen, L. C., Yang, D., Nicolaescu, V., Best, T. J., Gula, H., Saxena, D., … & Rosner, M. R.
(2022). Cannabidiol inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication through induction of the host ER stress and innate immune responses. Science Advances, 8(8), eabi6110. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi6110
Module 5 Discussion
First, describe the difference between cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Second, Project CBD lists several conditions which CBD is known to help. Research one (1) condition and explain the findings of your research related to how CBD is shown in the literature to alleviate symptoms (be sure to cite literature, and not just give opinions).
