Study: CBD Shows Promise in Treating Symptoms of Gulf War Illness

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A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Military Medical Research shows that the use of cannabidiol (CBD) may be useful in treating chronic Gulf War Illness (GWI).

The study focused on Epidiolex®, a CBD medication that’s FDA-approved, and its effects on cognitive and mood dysfunction, hyperalgesia, and neuroinflammation in a rat model of GWI.

GWI, a condition affecting many veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War, is characterized by persistent cognitive and mood impairments, along with chronic neuroinflammation. In this study, rats exposed to chemicals related to GWI, such as pyridostigmine bromide, DEET, and permethrin, and moderate stress were treated with either a vehicle or Epidiolex® over a 16-week period.

“GWI rats treated with VEH exhibited impairments in all cognitive tasks and anhedonia, whereas CBD-treated GWI rats showed improvements in all cognitive tasks and no anhedonia”, states the study.
“Additionally, CBD treatment alleviated hyperalgesia in GWI rats.”

The study also uncovered the underlying biological effects of CBD treatment. In the hippocampus of the treated rats, there was a notable reduction in proteins associated with the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway—both key players in neuroinflammation. Furthermore, levels of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers were normalized, and neurogenesis was improved.

Researchers conclude by stating:

The use of an FDA-approved CBD (Epidiolex ^® ) has been shown to effectively alleviate cognitive and mood impairments as well as hyperalgesia associated with chronic GWI. Importantly, the improvements observed in rats with chronic GWI in this study were attributed to the ability of CBD to significantly suppress signaling pathways that perpetuate chronic neuroinflammation.

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