Cannabidiol (CBD)
Phytocannabinoid
Chemical Information
IUPAC Name – 2-[(1R,6R)-6-Isopropenyl-3-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-5-pentylbenzene-1,3-diol
Chemical Formula – C21H30O2
Molecular Weight – 314.46
Properties
Density – 1.025% g/cm3
Boiling Point – 188.5° C
Short-term Stability (4 weeks)
Freezer -15°C – No decrease in purity observed
Refrigerator 4°C – No decrease in purity observed
Room Temp 22°C – No decrease in purity observed
Hot Temp 40°C – 5.95% decrease in purity observed
Long-term Stability
Stable up to 3 months in 4°C refrigerator conditions. Stable minimum 60 months at freezer conditions -10°C has been established through real-time stability studies.
Biology
Confirmed Therapeutic Uses
Epilepsy – Has been shown effective for certain cases of catastrophic epilepsy such as in Dravet Syndrome.
Anxiolytic – Has shown to be mildly effective in managing anxiety, particularly associated with THC use.
Dosages
Epilepsy – Doses of 200 – 300 mg daily have been shown to be safe and effective.
Promising Potential Applications
Support for Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, anti-nausea and vomiting (with THC), acute and chronic pain relief (with THC)
References
https://www.cochrane.org/CD009270/EPILEPSY_cannabinoids-for-epilepsy
https://www.cochrane.org/CD012954/IBD_cannabis-and-cannabis-oil-treatment-ulcerative-colitis
https://www.cochrane.org/CD012182/SYMPT_cannabis-products-adults-chronic-neuropathic-pain
About The Author
Dr. Rivera-Acevedo is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He is also cannabinologist and consultant for various pharma companies around the world.
With a BSc from the University of Puerto Rico – Cayey and PhD in Pharmacology from the University of British Columbia, he has extensive knowledge and expertise researching cannabis and its derivatives. In 2015, he established the first laboratory for cannabinoid research in the Department of Pharmacology at UBC, which is dedicated to understanding the therapeutic uses of different cannabis strains and formulations to treat different diseases.
He also teaches various undergraduate courses within the department including Introduction to Pharmacology, Statistics in Science, Drug Development, Natural Health Products, and Pharmacogenomics.
As former Director of Chemistry for Cannevert Therapeutics Ltd, he lead the chemistry team conducting R&D, QA/QC, and manufacturing research to improve cannabinoid extract formulations and development of new delivery methods. He also helped organize and supervise one of the first internationally recognized clinical trials with cannabis in Puerto Rico.
When not in the lab, he can be found in the dojo practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, teaching mindfulness to high school students with the Vancouver Crisis Centre, co-hosting the shows Cannabis Science Podcast, Cannabis Con Ciencia Podcast, and El Bus De Las 7 on Vancouver Coop Radio 100.5 FM.
