Marijuana contains a chemical called cannabidiol, or CBD. Scientists from the Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University in Israel studied CBD and bone fractures in rats, and their work was published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. In this animal study, the researchers reported that fractures in rats given CBD appeared to mend well. CBD is not the compound that causes the “high” associated with marijuana.
According to Yankel Gabet, a member of the research team, the effect seen in the rats may be related to the maturation of the so-called collagenous matrix, the structure that provides the basis for new mineralization of bone tissue. These are early findings in animals, and they have not been confirmed in people.
The Bone Contains Cannabinoid Receptors
To study CBD, the scientists worked with rats that had mild fractures of the femur. One group was given CBD, and another group was given CBD together with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the substance that produces the feeling of being high). The researchers then followed the process of bone mending in all rats.
They concluded that the rats that received only CBD had similar results to those that received the combination of CBD and THC.
According to Gabet, this suggests that CBD, rather than THC, was responsible for the effect they observed. The team said the findings support further testing of this substance.
This is the second study by the same team related to marijuana. The first one looked at receptors in the body that respond to cannabinoid substances. It is worth pointing out that these receptors are not found only in the brain.
That older study also suggested that the skeleton has cannabinoid receptors that are involved in the formation of bone and the loss of bone tissue.
Research on Marijuana Compounds Continues
This study is only a small part of the research related to marijuana and marijuana compounds such as CBD. The researchers hope that their findings will lead to further studies focused on osteoporosis and other conditions related to human bones.
Gabet believes that cannabinoids deserve more research. Of course, there is still a long way to go before experts can say whether suitable therapies based on these substances are possible, and whether such a therapy could rely only on CBD and not on the psychoactive compounds.
Today, researchers are studying cannabis compounds in several areas, including chronic pain, the side effects of chemotherapy, appetite in patients living with AIDS, and blood sugar levels. Research is also ongoing in people with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. In most of these areas the evidence is still limited.
The laws on marijuana and CBD differ widely from country to country and, in the United States, from state to state, and they have changed a lot in recent years. Check the rules that apply where you live.
Any product of this kind should be used only under the guidance of a doctor, and it is not a replacement for prescribed treatment.
Sources: Science World Report | Medical News Today | DNA India | Huffington Post | Times of Israel | NORML
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.