Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1111492
As for other health claims, much more research, especially on humans rather than animals, needs to be done. Unfortunately, due to lack of regulation, manufacturers of products that contain CBD can print just about any health claim they want on the product label, and buyers, desiring a relatively inexpensive, natural treatment, may just believe it. There is emerging research that CBD may be useful in treating anxiety, and there are countless anecdotal reports that it helps muscle aches, joint pain, depression, psychiatric conditions and insomnia. The number of human trials for other diseases is small but promising. In fact, CBD's use as an anti-inflamma- tory may be the next area for future FDA investigation and approval. As mentioned, many cells in our bodies have CBD recep- tors, so it stands to reason that CBD can have physiologic effects in humans, such as on pain, inflammation, anxiety and sleep. Unfortunately, due to the murky legal status of CBD, research to uncover these physiologic responses has been sparse. As the new farm bill clears, legality issues over research should move forward at a much faster pace. Additionally, the best method of CBD delivery (oral, topical or inhaled) should be studied for the best treatment results. USE WITH GUIDANCE CBD is a promising product for a variety of challenging medical conditions, but more research needs to be done. If a patient is considering the use of CBD when other tried and true treatments are not working, advise them not to just buy something off the shelf because the label says it will help him or her. I wou ld st ron g ly sug gest patient s u se CBD - cont a i n i n g produc t s w it h the g uida nce a nd ca re of a physicia n k nowle d ge a ble a b out a nd fa m i l i a r w ith CBD -conta ining products. The f u t u r e a p p e a r s b r i g h t f o r C B D - conta ining products, but its ultimate success will depend on the production of high-quality products with safe, proven and approved results. C h a rl e s E . C r utchf i el d I I I , M D i s a board- ce r tif ied d e r m atologi st an d clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan , Minn esota . He rece ived hi s m edi ca l degree and master's degree in molecular biology and ge nomics f rom the Mayo C linic. He ha s been selected a s one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise maga zine. D r. C r u t c h f i e l d w a s r e c o g n i z e d b y Minnesota Physician Magazine as one of the 100 Most Inf luential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota . He is the team d e r m a t o l o g i s t f o r t h e M i n n e s o t a Tw in s , Vikings , Timbe r wolves , Wild an d Lyn x . D r. Cr utchf iel d i s al so an a ctive m e mbe r of both th e Am e r ican and National Medical Associations, and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians. n M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S M I N N E S O TA ■ 2 019 0 7