Cannabidiol : science, myths and realities

Abstract

The cannabis plant has more than one hundred cannabinoids. The two most researched cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The aim of the study was to investigate the science, myths and realities related to CBD by (i) comparing the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD (ii) assessing knowledge and perception of the public and healthcare professionals (HCPs) about CBD. Systematic literature review about studies demonstrating potential therapeutic benefits of CBD was carried out followed by the development, validation and dissemination of two questionnaires targeting the knowledge and perception of the general public and HCPs about CBD. The questionnaires consisted of 4 sections: Demographics, Knowledge, Perception and Barriers related to CBD use. One hundred and twenty-six articles were identified via systematic literature search. CBD was reported to have beneficial effects on mental health disorders (33), inflammation (27), neurological disorders (21), cancer (15), cardiovascular disease (11) and pain (6). CBD demonstrated neuroprotective effects (5) and other therapeutic effects (8). Four hundred individuals (62% female, 41% aged 26- 40 years) answered the general public questionnaire and 150 individuals (58% female, 53% aged 26-40 years, 49% pharmacists) answered the questionnaire for HCPs. Seventy five percent of respondents from the general public (n=257) heard about CBD from social media/news, 79% (n=314) believe that CBD has an analgesic effect, 50% (n=202) think that CBD products should be prescription-only-medicine and 69% (n=277) disagree that CBD is a gateway drug. Sixty-five percent (n=262) of the general public respondents deemed social stigma as a barrier to CBD use. Seventy percent (n=97) of HCPs heard about CBD from social media/news, 67% (n=101) believe that CBD products should be prescription-only medicine, 69% (n=104) would feel comfortable in prescribing or recommending CBD for pain, 61% (n=91) of HCPs disagree that CBD is a gateway drug and 65% (n=97) of HCPs deemed their personal beliefs as a barrier to CBD use. Publications reported therapeutic effects of CBD. Members of the general public (79%, n=314) and HCPs (97%, n=145) perceive that CBD has an analgesic effect. CBD is a naturally occurring compound derived from cannabis that has beneficial and therapeutic effects and also adverse effects. This study demonstrates that participants from the general public aged between 18-25 years and having a tertiary level of education were more knowledgeable about CBD than other age groups yet healthcare professionals agree that there is a lack of education and misconceptions among the general public about CBD and its use in medical conditions. Healthcare professionals and the general public perceive that CBD products should be prescription only medicine. Two common barriers related to CBD use are social stigma and negative personal beliefs of HCPs