CBDV has garnered interest from medical researchers in recent years. This non-psychoactive cannabinoid has a similar structure to CBD but lacks CB1 receptor activation. It’s shown promise as an anticonvulsant in tests with rats and mice, and it may reduce pain associated with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
What is CBDV? CBDV has also been explored as a possible treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Epilepsy
CBDV has garnered attention from researchers for its anticonvulsant properties. This compound has been shown to reduce seizures in animal and human studies. It can also reduce the severity of seizures and the frequency of occurrence. This is especially important for people with treatment-resistant epilepsy.
Abnormal electrical discharges in the brain cause seizure episodes. These discharges can affect a single part of the brain (partial seizures) or the whole brain. They can cause various symptoms, from brief lapses in consciousness or muscle jerks to bladder or bowel control loss.
CBDV has been shown to boost the endocannabinoid, anandamide, in the brain. This has been linked to reduced anxiety, improved mood, and enhanced memory. Studies show that CBDV can improve sociability in mice with Rett Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes cognitive and motor problems. It has also been shown to help with the neurobehavioral issues associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
Rett Syndrome
Rett Syndrome is a rare and disabling genetic disorder that affects mostly females. Still, more and more males are now diagnosed with this disorder due to mutations in the MECP2 gene (located on the X chromosome). Children with Rett syndrome experience a loss of mobility, coordination, speech, eye contact, and other cognitive and social abilities.
CBDV may help to treat the symptoms of Rett Syndrome by enhancing the binding affinity of naturally occurring cannabinoids like anandamide and slowing their rate of decay through an enzyme called FAAH. This enables CBDV to stimulate neurotransmitter activity and help the brain regulate itself and is also being investigated for its ability to treat autism.
Future studies should investigate whether CBDV impacts cortical and subcortical circuits, including BG Glx, in typical and ASD individuals to determine who is biologically responsive to this candidate treatment. This would improve the success of drug trials by allowing for an objective measure of response and inform stratification approaches.
Autism
CBDV has shown promise as a treatment for autism, and research is ongoing. It effectively reduces acute anxiety and may help improve symptoms related to the condition. It can also help regulate the stimulating neurotransmitter glutamate levels and raise anandamide, one of the chief endocannabinoids.
Studies have found that people with autism have lower than normal anandamide levels. Interestingly, CBDV has been found to help restore and increase muscle function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This debilitating condition affects young boys and men with progressive muscle weakness, fatigue, chronic pain, loss of mobility, and difficulty breathing due to inflammation.
GW Pharmaceuticals has been working to develop a synthetic version of this cannabinoid and has found that it has anticonvulsant properties. This means that it could potentially be used to treat seizures and other conditions related to autism. Moreover, CBDV has been found to curb nausea responses by directly activating the ECS.
Muscular Dystrophy
There are nine different forms of muscular dystrophy, and each type differs in the age at which symptoms appear, which muscles are affected, how quickly weakness progresses, and whether it affects the heart or other organs. Symptoms range from mild to severe, leading to heart failure and other health problems.
CBDV has been found to improve some symptoms of muscular dystrophy, including cognitive function and mobility. It may also help prevent muscle deterioration and slow the disease’s progression.
In a 2019 study, CBDV was found to protect mice with the genetic mutation that causes DMD by improving neuronal and muscular function, preventing the buildup of fatty acids in muscle tissue, and increasing the amount of anandamide produced.
People with muscular dystrophy should seek treatment from their doctor and try to stay positive and avoid stress. Family and friends should support them, and they should find a support group to connect with others with the same condition and get advice and encouragement.
