The CBD oil has an interesting side effect on me...nightmares. I never have them, and one both nights I tried it.

After some Googling, it appears others have had this issue too. I guess I'll try it during the daytime.

Interesting and unfortunate. I'm sorry to hear that. CBD had a number of contradictory effects and side effects, causing nightmares in some and ridding others of them as well as of night terrors. Yes, maybe a morning dose will avoid this side effect.

I've tried it three more times at night since that's when I really need it, and no nightmares. I also think it helped my symptoms. Win-win. :D

That's wonderful to hear! I'm always happy to hear that CBD is helping someone, especially a fellow neuropathy sufferer. :)

Hello David,

I am something of a neophyte when it comes to cannabis, but I was passing a cannabis outlet in San Francisco today and got myself a packet of Plus Products CBD gummies (expensive it seems at $20 for 20 gummies).

They are as follows: 5 mg of CBD per gummy.

My question: does this seem like it might be a suitable product to trial? And how many mg per day might be considered "default" for someone with mild idiopathic PN?

PS I also purchased some THC gummies as an occasional recreational substitute for alcohol--is it a bad idea to mix the THC with the CBD gummies?

Much obliged to!!

Hi there,

Yes, that could work, and CBD and THC are meant to be taken together, so you would be just fine. In fact, if you take the THC and then don't like the effect, you can minimize it by taking more CBD as the latter works against THC and reduces the psychotropic effect of the cannabinoid. Too much CBD and you just won't feel the THC at all. A 1:1 ratio will still be pretty psychoactive.

And yes, that is pricey, but standard unfortunately. There are cheap ways to go if you need higher doses of CBD for medicine, in particular by purchasing CBD isolate and making your own edibles, tincture and balm.

I'm not sure how suitable it will be for a quality trial. Ingestion unfortunately significantly reduces the bioavailability and delays the onset. So it's pretty wasteful and difficult to measure the dosage needed. The use of tincture or smoking/vaping is easier to control and the effect is immediately noticeable. It also significantly increases the bioavailability so there is much less waste. However, there is some limited evidence that the effect of ingestion lasts longer and is more systematic, whatever that means. I would try various methods and see what works best for you. Only you'll know what's best for you and only after you've tried various methods of consumption. Ingestion works well for many people.

Dosage is also something you'll have to figure out on your own. I guess if I were you, I'd try one gummy a day for a couple of days and see how that goes. Then increase slowly. And if you want to see what each cannabinoid does for you, don't take both at once, at least initially.

Hi David,

So far so good, with the CBD (three days). My situation is compounded by the fact that, aside from PN, I have a number of other chronic auto-immune conditions, the worst being colitis. I am having a bad colitis flare (in fact, it never really stops, and I always test for inflammation in my body) right now.

But perhaps the CBD might help with the colitis . . . I certainly don't think it can make it any worse.

Anyway, to my point. In your original post you mused how CBD might function as a vasodilator. Interestingly, besides CBD I am presently doing my own self-trial of daily sildenafil (yes, Viagra!). I have persuaded my doctor to give me a very low daily dose (10-20mg) as there has been anecdotal and lab evidence that it can significantly mitigate diabetic neuropathy. Of course, the fly in the ointment is that diabetic and idiopathic represent different mechanisms--the vasolidator component might be what works for diabetics who lack the proper blood supply to nerves (poorly written, but you get my drift).

Two weeks in, I can say that my neuropathy symptoms (mainly constant fasciculations and fluid paresthesias) are improved from the weeks before--though this condition varies like hell anyway.

Fingers crossed that either of the self-meds--perhaps both--produce results.

Cheers

PS a question--you probably say this, but do you think that CBD merely mitigates symptoms or does it having any impact at all on the actual condition?

Hi there,

Glad to hear it. I know a number of people who use CBD (and a few THC) for Colitis and it really does help them. I'm sure you'll be able tell soon enough. But on a basic level CBD is known to reduce inflammation, so that alone will be immensely beneficial to you.

That's fascinating about sildenafil. I think I had heard this but I'm not sure. But it seems like that and the CBD are working well on that front. My fasciculations have improved since taking CBD too. When they get bad, I take some CBD and it's gone within minutes. I hope it keeps working for you.

This is a complicated question to answer, primarily because quality human trials have yet to be conducted. The limited scientific evidence and a more sizable amount of anecdotal evidence seems to show that in higher doses it can lead to actual improvement in certain conditions. I would look at the article I posted initially from Leaf Science and read some personal experiences from people. Most people take very low doses and so only experience symptom relief. But given its therapeutic value, including lowering inflammation and being neuro-regenerative and not just neuroprotective, CBD (and actually THC and other cannabinoids) seem to have a genuine ability to effect real healing. There are some studies underway, and I hope the changing legal landscape more quality studies will be conducted.

There is some evidence that CBD can help with colitis.

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group, Pilot Study of Cannabidiol-rich Botanical Extract in the Symptomatic Treatment of U... - PubMed - NCBI

Hi David
I'm glad that you found a treatment that works for you
and thanks for the info about the CBD!