Is CBD Effective For Glaucoma Patients?
Cannabidiol, the non-psychotic compound of cannabis, has many benefits to offer to users. Lately, scientists and enthusiasts are digging into the subject of “CBD for glaucoma.” If you are new to this subject, you might have questions about the same. How can CBD help people with glaucoma? How does CBD work in doing so? How to use CBD for managing glaucoma? Before you proceed to buy products like Royal CBD oils and tinctures, you need to get the answers to these questions. Read on to find out.
What is glaucoma?
Reportedly, over 3 million people in America have glaucoma. It is a condition that affects the optical nerve of the eye. Several factors can lead to this condition, and heredity is one. People with glaucoma tend to feel the pressure building up inside their eyes, and it can become intense with time. The pressure is what we refer to as intraocular pressure.
As the pressure builds up, it impacts the optical nerve responsible for sending image signals to the brain. If it remains undealt, glaucoma can lead to vision loss and pain.
So, what causes glaucoma?
A fluid referred to as aqueous humor in our eye flows out through a channel. Blockage of this channel leads to an increase in aqueous humor levels in the eye. When this happens, it exerts pressure on the inner sides of the eye. Some of the other triggers of glaucoma include:
- Eye infections and injuries
- Damaged Blood vessels in the eyes
- Inflammation
Generally, glaucoma impacts both eyes, but one eye seems to have more impact than the other. While surgery is not the only option, it can help keep the existing eyesight intact.
Cannabidiol for glaucoma
The various constituents of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids are responsible for the taste, texture, and odor. Cannabidiol is probably the most popular legal cannabinoid of cannabis. Since it came into the western medicine industry, researchers have been studying its effects on different medical conditions. Also, after the legalization of hemp farming in several states, the CBD game is seeing new turns every day.
It was not until 1971 that scientists investigated the effects of cannabinoids on glaucoma. Indeed, there was a successful demonstration of how CBD reduces IOP in people with glaucoma. In another experiment, CBD at moderate doses reduced IOP in patients with glaucoma.
Our body is a system of complex mechanisms and networks. One of such systems is the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for several bodily functions. The system works with enzyme and cannabinoid receptors present in different locations from head to toe. Both our central and peripheral nervous systems have these receptors. CB1 receptors are the ones present in the central nervous system. CBD binds and interacts with these receptors and produces http://www.gulfportpharmacy.com/ various effects like pain relief and alleviation of mental stress.
CBD impacts the activity of endocannabinoid receptors and works in reducing pain perception. In the case of glaucoma, CBD binds to CB1 receptors, ciliary epithelial cells, and mesh cells. This way, it reduces intraocular pressure. CBD works similarly to opioid drugs. Like how these drugs bind to various receptors in our body, CBD binds to these receptors and produces similar effects.
If you are wondering, science says that there is a network of endocannabinoid receptors in several eye parts. The corneal epithelium and endothelium of the anterior part of the eye have CB1 receptors. They are also present in the Schlemm’s canal. Not just that, examination of the retinal part revealed that endocannabinoid receptors are present there.
The corneal epithelium is a part of the eye present in the posterior side of the cornea, and It constitutes a fine layer of squamous cells arranged in a particular fashion. The cells play a crucial role in the hydration of the corneal layer. When we say hydration, we mean the action of pumping out aqueous humor to retain quality. As we know, the lack of this regulation is the factor that causes intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
Scientists say that the endocannabinoid receptors present in the corneal epithelial cells can regulate the aqueous humor levels upon activation. Interestingly, activation of CB1 receptors seems to initiate eye repair processes. For instance, the CB1 receptors play a role in regulating the cAMP levels. This way, they prevent damage of cells in the anterior and posterior parts of the eye. CB1 receptors in other parts like the retina and sphincter muscle can impact clarity. Thus, cannabinoids that work by activating the CB1 receptors can help in the following ways
- Maintaining and regulating ocular pressure
- Hydration of the corneal layer
- Repairing of cells in the retinal layer
Now that we know how CB1 receptors can impact glaucoma, here’s a summed-up version of how CBD carries out its functions.
- The cannabis compound activates the network of cannabinoid receptors in the eye and impacts the physiological effects.
- The presence of CB1 receptors in the corneal and retinal layers shows that CBD can regulate aqueous humor levels.
- The effects of CBD on the Schlemm’s canal show that it can impact the flow of aqueous humor.
Finally, we can say that CBD’s activity can effectively impact the ocular pressure and the levels of liquids in the eye. Thus, when people with glaucoma consume CBD, it can reduce the tension in the eyes and help in retaining the existing vision.
The bottom line
Even though CBD looks like an attractive option to treat glaucoma, there is no concrete scientific research proof to support the statement. Certain studies say that CBD can impact the user negatively when consumed in higher dosages. Choosing and consuming CBD falls entirely on your shoulders as the consumer. As we know, glaucoma passes on through genes. So, there is no way to prevent it entirely. But, CBD can work on the triggers and help in various ways, as we just saw.
To make sure you have a safe experience with CBD, have these in mind.
- Buy CBD products from reputable and verified vendors.
- Consult with a doctor before going for self-medication
- Know what kind of products to use
- Understand how your body reacts to CBD
If you keep these in mind, you are all set for getting CBD to help you manage glaucoma.
Is CBD Effective For Glaucoma Patients?
Cannabidiol, the non-psychotic compound of cannabis, has many benefits to offer to users. Lately, scientists and enthusiasts are digging into the subject of “CBD for glaucoma.” If you are new to this subject, you might have questions about the same. How can CBD help people with glaucoma? How does CBD work in doing so? How to use CBD for managing glaucoma? Before you proceed to buy products like Royal CBD oils and tinctures, you need to get the answers to these questions. Read on to find out.
https://pixabay.com/photos/cbd-cbd-kapseln-cannabidiol-4474903/
What is glaucoma?
Reportedly, over 3 million people in America have glaucoma. It is a condition that affects the optical nerve of the eye. Several factors can lead to this condition, and heredity is one. People with glaucoma tend to feel the pressure building up inside their eyes, and it can become intense with time. The pressure is what we refer to as intraocular pressure.
As the pressure builds up, it impacts the optical nerve responsible for sending image signals to the brain. If it remains undealt, glaucoma can lead to vision loss and pain.
So, what causes glaucoma?
A fluid referred to as aqueous humor in our eye flows out through a channel. Blockage of this channel leads to an increase in aqueous humor levels in the eye. When this happens, it exerts pressure on the inner sides of the eye. Some of the other triggers of glaucoma include:
- Eye infections and injuries
- Damaged Blood vessels in the eyes
- Inflammation
Generally, glaucoma impacts both eyes, but one eye seems to have more impact than the other. While surgery is not the only option, it can help keep the existing eyesight intact.
Cannabidiol for glaucoma
The various constituents of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids are responsible for the taste, texture, and odor. Cannabidiol is probably the most popular legal cannabinoid of cannabis. Since it came into the western medicine industry, researchers have been studying its effects on different medical conditions. Also, after the legalization of hemp farming in several states, the CBD game is seeing new turns every day.
It was not until 1971 that scientists investigated the effects of cannabinoids on glaucoma. Indeed, there was a successful demonstration of how CBD reduces IOP in people with glaucoma. In another experiment, CBD at moderate doses reduced IOP in patients with glaucoma.
Our body is a system of complex mechanisms and networks. One of such systems is the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for several bodily functions. The system works with enzyme and cannabinoid receptors present in different locations from head to toe. Both our central and peripheral nervous systems have these receptors. CB1 receptors are the ones present in the central nervous system. CBD binds and interacts with these receptors and produces various effects like pain relief and alleviation of mental stress.
CBD impacts the activity of endocannabinoid receptors and works in reducing pain perception. In the case of glaucoma, CBD binds to CB1 receptors, ciliary epithelial cells, and mesh cells. This way, it reduces intraocular pressure. CBD works similarly to opioid drugs. Like how these drugs bind to various receptors in our body, CBD binds to these receptors and produces similar effects.
https://pixabay.com/photos/cbd-oil-cannabidiol-cannabinoid-5358405/
If you are wondering, science says that there is a network of endocannabinoid receptors in several eye parts. The corneal epithelium and endothelium of the anterior part of the eye have CB1 receptors. They are also present in the Schlemm’s canal. Not just that, examination of the retinal part revealed that endocannabinoid receptors are present there.
The corneal epithelium is a part of the eye present in the posterior side of the cornea, and It constitutes a fine layer of squamous cells arranged in a particular fashion. The cells play a crucial role in the hydration of the corneal layer. When we say hydration, we mean the action of pumping out aqueous humor to retain quality. As we know, the lack of this regulation is the factor that causes intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
Scientists say that the endocannabinoid receptors present in the corneal epithelial cells can regulate the aqueous humor levels upon activation. Interestingly, activation of CB1 receptors seems to initiate eye repair processes. For instance, the CB1 receptors play a role in regulating the cAMP levels. This way, they prevent damage of cells in the anterior and posterior parts of the eye. CB1 receptors in other parts like the retina and sphincter muscle can impact clarity. Thus, cannabinoids that work by activating the CB1 receptors can help in the following ways
- Maintaining and regulating ocular pressure
- Hydration of the corneal layer
- Repairing of cells in the retinal layer
Now that we know how CB1 receptors can impact glaucoma, here’s a summed-up version of how CBD carries out its functions.
- The cannabis compound activates the network of cannabinoid receptors in the eye and impacts the physiological effects.
- The presence of CB1 receptors in the corneal and retinal layers shows that CBD can regulate aqueous humor levels.
- The effects of CBD on the Schlemm’s canal show that it can impact the flow of aqueous humor.
Finally, we can say that CBD’s activity can effectively impact the ocular pressure and the levels of liquids in the eye. Thus, when people with glaucoma consume CBD, it can reduce the tension in the eyes and help in retaining the existing vision.
The bottom line
Even though CBD looks like an attractive option to treat glaucoma, there is no concrete scientific research proof to support the statement. Certain studies say that CBD can impact the user negatively when consumed in higher dosages. Choosing and consuming CBD falls entirely on your shoulders as the consumer. As we know, glaucoma passes on through genes. So, there is no way to prevent it entirely. But, CBD can work on the triggers and help in various ways, as we just saw.
To make sure you have a safe experience with CBD, have these in mind.
- Buy CBD products from reputable and verified vendors.
- Consult with a doctor before going for self-medication
- Know what kind of products to use
- Understand how your body reacts to CBD
If you keep these in mind, you are all set for getting CBD to help you manage glaucoma.