Cannabidiol (CBD) was discovered in 1940. There is no mention of it in the traditional Ayurvedic texts, which were written long before this time. It is possible, however, to gain insight into how Ayurveda would view the use of CBD based upon the information presented by traditional Ayurveda on several subjects.
1) Ayurvedic views on cannabis, from which most CBD is extracted
2) Ayurvedic views on highly processed foods and substances
3) Ayurvedic view of psychological conditions (for which CBD is often recommended)
4) The effects of CBD
CBD is growing in popularity and its sale is becoming increasingly widespread. CBD sales are expected to surpass 10 billion dollars annually by 2024. While marijuana remains illegal in many states in America, and prohibitively expensive for many even in states where its medical use has been decriminalized, CBD is legal and widely available. Many people seeking the marijuana "high" are turning to CBD as a cheaper and more readily available alternative. Many are jumping on the bandwagon, seeking to take advantage of the steadily increasing demand, in order to earn a few dollars. CBD is now commonly available at drug stores, gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and health food stores in even the smallest towns throughout America. Businessmen, doctors, and alternative health care practitioners are promoting its use and benefiting from its sale. Many wild claims about the purported medicinal uses of CBD are being fabricated by sellers and perpetuated by uneducated consumers. CBD is widely lauded as a cure-all panacea for all sorts of conditions ranging from cancer, to diabetes, to acne, to mental illness, to pain, to neurological disorders. Though there is not much scientific evidence for the efficacy of CBD for these conditions, many doctors have begun to recommend its use. These doctor routinely deny the efficacy of other medicinal herbs, including the hundreds of herbs proven effective through scientific studies and approved to treat certain conditions in countries like Germany, yet they recommend CBD and marijuana for which there is little reliable evidence.
There are some studies which have indicated potential therapeutic benefits of CBD, but these studies are preliminary in nature, and so consumers must be cautious not to jump to conclusions or to be deluded by false claims. But the spread of disinformation is rampant and funded by a multi-billion dollar industry more concerned with profits than the well-being of the consumer. The misrepresentation of CBD has begun to be echoed within the Ayurvedic community also, and various Western Ayurvedic practitioners are beginning to advocate the use of unprocessed marijuana and CBD. This recommendation is not in line with the recommendations of traditional Ayurveda. Undoubtedly, some of these Ayurvedic practitioners are recreational marijuana users, looking to justify their addictions. No person is perfect, and we all have vices. But we must be cautious not to allow our vises to influence our clarity of mind, especially regarding recommendations for health made to others. Ayurveda advises against the use of intoxicants and provides remedial measures to help overcome addictions. This article has been written to provide insight into the views of traditional Ayurveda which would tend to advocate against the use of CBD.
Ayurvedic View of Cannabis
Traditional Ayurvedic texts classify cannabis as an "ati-visha," one of the lesser toxic plants. This means that it is not toxic to the extent that it will cause instantaneous death, but that its toxicity leads to the gradual accumulation of ama (toxins) in the system, which can cause a variety of diseases. Cannabis is said by Ayurveda to be particularly toxic and damaging to the liver, reproductive system, the mind and nervous system. As with other toxic herbs and minerals, like monkshood, dhatura, lead, arsenic, and mercury, Ayurveda has recommended the medicinal use of cannabis only after specific processing to neutralize toxins. Various texts on dravyaguna have advised specifically against the use of cannabis in its natural state due to its toxicity and its dulling effects upon the mind. In modern Ayurveda, cannabis is not generally used due to its legal status in India. The traditional uses of cannabis in Ayurveda have been mostly limited to digestive and respiratory conditions. Traditional Ayurveda would not tend to recommend cannabis for the treatment of cancer, anxiety, depression, pain or many of the other conditions cannabis is being prescribed for medicinally today. Some may try to make a distinction between hemp and marijuana, based upon the level of THC in the plant. Traditional Ayurveda has made no such distinction. Marijuana, hemp food products, and CBD all share the same toxic effects described by the traditional texts on Ayurveda. Ayurveda would not only advise adamantly against the use of CBD, but also hemp seeds, butter, or milk for food, just as it advises against the use of unprocessed marijuana. Unlike with hemp seeds or cannabis, it is not possible to process CBD products which are most often liquid according to the traditional Ayurvedic procedure for purification of cannabis. If the cannabis used to produce CBD was first treated, Ayurveda still would not tend to recommend its use in a highly processed form or in large quantities for conditions like anxiety or pain. The subject of the use of Cannabis in Traditional Ayurveda has been dealt with in depth in a separate article.
Ayurvedic View of Processed Foods and Substances
Ayurveda in general recommends consuming whole foods and herbs in their natural state, or as close to their natural state as possible. Ayurveda recommends against modern extracts of herbs for several reasons. Traditional Ayurveda does not make use of extracts as they are produced today. Ayurveda does extract the water soluble portions of herbs into teas, and decoctions which are then used in a variety of other preparations. Otherwise herbs tend to be used in their fresh or dried state. One exception to this is the extract (sattva) of the starches of Gudduci (Tinospora cordifolia). Starches are extracted through a very simple and natural process of soaking the peeled stems in water and then decanting. More complex processing is understandably used in Ayurveda to reduce the toxicity of toxic plants and minerals. But this processing is based upon herbs and natural substances, rather than the chemicals of modern extracts, and processes like boiling or burning, rather than the vacuums and pressure treatments of modern laboratories.
One reason Ayurveda recommends foods and herbs to be used in their natural state, is that natural substances are more easily recognized by the human body and more easily absorbed. One potential concern with highly processed foods and herbal supplements is that the body does not easily recognize them as food. Many of the modern techniques of processing cause substances to become somewhat toxic. The body digests food and it is nourished by it. The body rejects toxins and pathogens. Somewhere between these two extremes, highly processed foods cause stress to the system which does not know precisely how to respond to a somewhat toxic, yet somewhat nourishing substance.
Another reason Ayurveda recommends foods and herbs in their whole state, is that many herbs contain substances which are capable of producing undesirable effects. Such herbs often also contain substances which counter-balance these unwanted effects. Many potentially toxic herbs also contain antidotes. Scientists often try to identify and isolate the so-called "active ingredient" within an herb. Yet most herbs contain multiple synergistic "active ingredients," which function best in conjunction. There is always a risk, that when we extract one portion of an herb, and leave behind other portions, that we will diminish the healing effects of the herb and increase the potential dangers associated with its use.
Another reason is that in the absence of standardized processing and regulation of producers, it is very difficult to discern what parts of the original plant, if any, remain in the finished product. Recently, an Ayurvedic client requested that I recommend Ayurvedic herbal extracts made by a company he had an affinity for. After studying the literature on their website about strengths and dosages of their extracts, I remained thoroughly confused. So I called the company and asked them directly. I asked, "for example, I might recommend a teaspoon of turmeric for a particular purpose. What amount of your turmeric extract pills, would be roughly equivalent to a teaspoon?" They responded that they had no idea. Their honesty was refreshing in an industry full of people making false claims and saying whatever they need to to sell their products. So much so, I would have happily recommended their products, if I had any idea what they would do or how much to recommend. This is not a problem peculiar to CBD. It affects herbal extracts in general. In the absence of regulation of herbal supplements, it is not possible to know what effects an herbal product may have. The same product sold by one brand might have entirely opposite qualities compared to the same product sold by another brand. It is not always known if the herb listed on the label was even used in a supplement's production, or if so, how much of that herb remains in the finished product. When the uncertainty about processing is coupled with the adulteration with various additives, binders, and preservatives, the situation becomes extremely complex. In the case of health supplements, presumably manufactured by companies with a goal to help promote the health of their clientele, this is a problem. It is much worse in the case of CBD products produced to make a profit. Though people assume that when they buy CBD products, that the CBD has been extracted from cannabis, this is not necessarily so. When this basic uncertainty of the sources of CBD is coupled with the widely varied means of processing and the various additives, preservatives, flavorings, coloring, and other chemicals added to these unregulated products, it is clear that traditional Ayurveda would not approve.
Ayurvedic Views on Psychology
The Ayurvedic approach to psychology is very different than the Western approach. Whereas many psychological conditions like schizophrenia, depression, and PTSD are considered incurable in the West, Ayurveda routinely treats these and similar conditions with a reasonable rate of complete recovery. While Western medicine aims to control symptoms of such conditions, Ayurveda aims to get to the root causes. Western doctors often prescribe medications with tranquilizing effects, as the aim of management is to cause the symptoms to lessen. From an Ayurvedic perspective, this is counter-productive and impedes the process of healing. Ayurvedic herbs given for psychological conditions aim to increase clarity in the mind. They do not numb, or dull, or repress thoughts and emotions as do the Western psychotropic drugs. In many cases, Ayurvedic herbs given for mental conditions may actually increase the intensity of emotions as they are purged from the subconscious. The goal of treatment in Ayurveda is to help a patient to access, gain clarity about, and to release negative thoughts and emotions from the mind. This process leads to healing the mind, and it is hindered by drugs which dull the mind and lessen a person's ability to experience their thoughts and emotions.
To understand Ayurvedic psychology further, a person must understand the concept of the three gunas, or mental qualities. These are rajas (activity / agitation), tamas (dullness / inertia / depression), and sattva (equilibrium / balance, / peace / clarity). Just as Ayurvedic treatments seek to balance the three doshas within the physical body, Ayurvedic psychology seeks to balance these three gunas within the mind. In general, mental health will result when sattva is promoted and rajas and tamas pacified. When it is understood that mental illness arises from a difficulty to process the thoughts or feelings that one experiences, it is clear why mental dullness or agitation would serve to hinder the process of healing. This is why Western psychological management is often not effective to treat psychological disorders. Though psychotropic medications can provide some temporary relief from negative thoughts and emotions, they do not tend to help a person to uproot them entirely because they tend to be dulling.
There are certain cases when a mentally ill person is so out of control that it can be useful to restrain them in certain ways. Good examples of this would be when a patient becomes homicidal or suicidal. Traditional Ayurveda has recommended the physical restraint of such patients by means of rope, chains, or imprisonment. Modern psychology has made use of padded cages and straight jackets for this same purpose. However, many have come to view such practices of physical restraint as inhumane, and so medications which restrain the mind have been substituted. From an Ayurvedic perspective, this approach does even more harm, because though it may protect a patient from immediate danger, it impedes the process of recovery. Because modern laws may not allow Ayurvedic practitioners to chain up their patients as was done in earlier times, even Ayurveda could admit the limited utility of such tranquilizing medications to prevent serious danger to a severely unbalanced patient. However, the goal would be to help that patient regain enough control to be able to stop any medications which limit access to the thoughts and emotions which must be addressed. The goal would involve the eventual replacement of dulling medications with herbs that increase mental clarity and promote recovery. To be effective, such Ayurvedic herbal treatments must be accompanied by healthy lifestyle, diet, counseling, meditation, and implementation of various techniques designed to help a person process things in a healthy way. The full practice of Ayurvedic psychology is beyond the scope of this present article, but is addressed in depth in texts like "Ayurveda and the Mind" by Dr. David Frawley.
In the case of excessive tamas (dullness, lethargy, depression) Ayurveda would tend to recommend herbs which are somewhat stimulating, but not agitating. In the case of excess rajas (mental activity, agitation, anxiety, anger), Ayurveda would tend to recommend remedies which are calming, but not dulling. Certain substances are recommended against for common use due to excessively stimulating or dulling qualities. Garlic is not recommended in general as a food, due to its potential to overstimulate a person mentally. Garlic, however, is recognized as a powerful medicine, and is used with care to treat various conditions. Because of its extremely dulling qualities, Ayurveda would not tend recommend CBD. CBD, like many of the Western psychotropic drugs, has the capacity to impede the mental clarity required for a person to process thoughts and feelings. CBD does not however have the same capacity as strong psychotropic medications to tranquilize a severely unbalanced patient. Despite the many claims that are made of CBD to control the most intense emotions, few would ever consider giving a psychotic and homicidal patient with a gun a few drops of CBD oil when intravenous tranquilizers are available. The efficacy of CBD to work under such circumstances is dubious at best, yet its hindrance to healing from mental illness, its toxicity, and the potential harm it does is quite similar to the much stronger tranquilizers used by doctors. From an Ayurvedic perspectives, CBD presents the same problems and risks as powerful psychological medications without the therapeutic benefits.
The Effects of CBD
Though CBD does not possess the same extent of narcotic action as marijuana, nor the same therapeutic action as the psychotropic drugs, it does present the same potential harm to the body. Traditional Ayurvedic texts on dravyaguna state that marijuana is toxic to the liver and reproductive system and is damaging to the mind and nervous system. The long-term effects of marijuana use tend to affect a person's motivation; cause depression; increase anxiety and anti-social behavior. Studies have shown CDB to possess similar qualities. CBD has been shown to present danger to patients with liver conditions and potential to increase symptoms of Parkinson's. Its side effects include drowsiness. This is in line with the traditional Ayurvedic warnings about the potential damage cannabis can cause the liver, mind, and nervous system. Probably, studies have not been done regarding the effects of CBD upon the health of the reproductive system. It is suspected that CBD will be shown to present similar risks to fertility as cannabis from which it is derived. These are examples of the toxic effects of unprocessed cannabis effecting CBD users.
In other cases, the potential therapeutic benefits of properly used cannabis seem to be evidenced by the effects of CBD. Side effects found in CBD studies also include decreased appetite and diarrhea. Because Ayurveda most often has used processed cannabis for digestive conditions, these effects would tend to indicate that CBD is increasing the doshas causing disturbance to the digestive system. Marijuana and CBD are very powerful substances which must be used when there is a need. It is wrong to think of CBD or any other substance as a panacea capable of curing every condition for every person. People have developed a misconception that one medicine can be capable of curing the same disease for every individual. The theory of the three doshas in Ayurveda provides insight into a person's individual condition and the specific need for certain healing substances. A patient with high blood pressure should certainly not take the same medication as a person with low blood pressure. A person with diarrhea, should not take the same medication as a person with constipation. Doctors go to medical school for many years learning how to prescribe the right medication. Ayurvedic doctors in India are trained through a very similar process of formal education before they prescribe herbs. Marijuana is a heating substance, and as such, it will not be useful for people whose bodies are overheated by an excess of pitta. Laypeople should be very cautious when recommending herbs to others, especially in the case of very potent and potentially toxic herbs like cannabis. We are providing two links (1 and 2) that could help guide interested readers toward research about the side effects of CBD.
Ayurvedic View of using of Single Herbs
Even if Ayurveda did support the use of cannabis or CBD preparations, it would not recommend taking them on their own as they are most often used now. Ayurveda does not generally recommend the use of single herbs, but instead utilizes formulations. There are many traditional Ayurvedic formulations containing anywhere from three to well over a hundred herbs, with many of the most popular formulas containing somewhere between 20 and 50 herbs. There are several advantages to using herbs as a part of a formula. One is that if a single herb has some potentially undesirable effect, or if a person has a sensitivity to a specific herb, this is reduced when herbs are given as a part of a formula. One reason for this is that the amount of any given herb in a formula will be less than if the herb were taken on its own. Also the other herbs in the formula often act to counteract any undesirable effects of other herbs in the formula. Certain herbs are specifically added to formulas for this reason. It is standard practice to add certain carminative herbs to formulas containing ingredients that are heavy to digest. The healing potency of herbs is also often enhanced when herbs are used in formulas. If several herbs which are good for the liver are taken together, this increases the efficacy of all the individual ingredients. Formulas help to increase the chances that the herbs will work on the desired organs or tissues of the body. Because formulas are safer, gentler, and more effective, they are always preferred for use in Ayurveda.
Generally it is in excess that CBD is capable of producing its desired effects, not in small amounts or as a part of a blend. But the effects of CBD which consumers are experiencing today would be seen as unwanted side-effects in traditional Ayurveda. Traditional Ayurvedic texts list "toxic" and "intoxicating" among the undesirable actions that herbs may possess. The toxicity of CBD and cannabis from which it is produced have been address already. Though many would try to claim that CBD is a safe alternative to cannabis because it lacks the narcotic effects, this is not the case. A narcotic is defined as "a substance affecting mood or behavior." An intoxicant is a "substance which causes someone to lose control of their faculties or behavior." Though the narcotic effects of CBD are undoubtedly less pronounced than those of unprocessed marijuana, they are significant. The same propensity to dull the mind is present in CBD as in marijuana. Many people are seeking this effect. Though Ayurveda would not recommend this, Ayurveda would not judge those who do. Ayurveda would, however, encourage people to not be deluded about this or to claim false benefits. People drink alcohol to numb their minds and senses, and alcohol is extremely popular. The popularity of CBD is increasing steadily because it has a similar ability to numb the mind and senses.
Conclusion
Ayurveda would tend to recommend against the use of CBD. Ayurveda has recommended instead the use of pure cannabis (after purification to reduce toxicity and narcotic effects) for a few limited conditions. Ayurveda would recommend taking it in very small amounts as a part of a well designed formula along with other herbs. Herbs like Calamus should be taken also to further reduce the toxicity. Nervine tonics could be taken also to help address the root causes of the condition, and to further reduce damge to the mind and nervous system.
It is the instinct of the mind to attempt to avoid difficult thoughts and feelings. Many people depend upon psychiatric medications or drugs and alcohol to help them to avoid facing such feelings. Treatment of mental conditions in Ayurveda depends upon a person's ability to face the thoughts and feelings within so that they can be released. CBD works in the same way as modern psychiatric medicines and illegal drugs to dull a person's perception. While this may reduce a person's ability to feel the emotions, it does not cure the underlying condition by addressing the feelings. The repressed emotions remain in the subconscious mind and tend to lead to more serious health concerns until they are addressed. As such, Ayurveda would recommend against the use of CBD just as it recommends against intoxication from alcohol or other substances. The Astanga Hridayam recommends against the selling of alcohol or other intoxicants, due to the serious karma created by dulling the minds of people and perpetuating mental unrest. Ayurveda would likewise recommend against using and selling CBD for monetary gain. Compassionate health care professionals should carefully consider the effects of the substances they recommend to their clients. With a desire to heal, they should recommend safer and more effective alternatives to CBD, thousands of which are recommended by the traditional texts on Ayurveda.
1) Ayurvedic views on cannabis, from which most CBD is extracted
2) Ayurvedic views on highly processed foods and substances
3) Ayurvedic view of psychological conditions (for which CBD is often recommended)
4) The effects of CBD
CBD is growing in popularity and its sale is becoming increasingly widespread. CBD sales are expected to surpass 10 billion dollars annually by 2024. While marijuana remains illegal in many states in America, and prohibitively expensive for many even in states where its medical use has been decriminalized, CBD is legal and widely available. Many people seeking the marijuana "high" are turning to CBD as a cheaper and more readily available alternative. Many are jumping on the bandwagon, seeking to take advantage of the steadily increasing demand, in order to earn a few dollars. CBD is now commonly available at drug stores, gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and health food stores in even the smallest towns throughout America. Businessmen, doctors, and alternative health care practitioners are promoting its use and benefiting from its sale. Many wild claims about the purported medicinal uses of CBD are being fabricated by sellers and perpetuated by uneducated consumers. CBD is widely lauded as a cure-all panacea for all sorts of conditions ranging from cancer, to diabetes, to acne, to mental illness, to pain, to neurological disorders. Though there is not much scientific evidence for the efficacy of CBD for these conditions, many doctors have begun to recommend its use. These doctor routinely deny the efficacy of other medicinal herbs, including the hundreds of herbs proven effective through scientific studies and approved to treat certain conditions in countries like Germany, yet they recommend CBD and marijuana for which there is little reliable evidence.
There are some studies which have indicated potential therapeutic benefits of CBD, but these studies are preliminary in nature, and so consumers must be cautious not to jump to conclusions or to be deluded by false claims. But the spread of disinformation is rampant and funded by a multi-billion dollar industry more concerned with profits than the well-being of the consumer. The misrepresentation of CBD has begun to be echoed within the Ayurvedic community also, and various Western Ayurvedic practitioners are beginning to advocate the use of unprocessed marijuana and CBD. This recommendation is not in line with the recommendations of traditional Ayurveda. Undoubtedly, some of these Ayurvedic practitioners are recreational marijuana users, looking to justify their addictions. No person is perfect, and we all have vices. But we must be cautious not to allow our vises to influence our clarity of mind, especially regarding recommendations for health made to others. Ayurveda advises against the use of intoxicants and provides remedial measures to help overcome addictions. This article has been written to provide insight into the views of traditional Ayurveda which would tend to advocate against the use of CBD.
Ayurvedic View of Cannabis
Traditional Ayurvedic texts classify cannabis as an "ati-visha," one of the lesser toxic plants. This means that it is not toxic to the extent that it will cause instantaneous death, but that its toxicity leads to the gradual accumulation of ama (toxins) in the system, which can cause a variety of diseases. Cannabis is said by Ayurveda to be particularly toxic and damaging to the liver, reproductive system, the mind and nervous system. As with other toxic herbs and minerals, like monkshood, dhatura, lead, arsenic, and mercury, Ayurveda has recommended the medicinal use of cannabis only after specific processing to neutralize toxins. Various texts on dravyaguna have advised specifically against the use of cannabis in its natural state due to its toxicity and its dulling effects upon the mind. In modern Ayurveda, cannabis is not generally used due to its legal status in India. The traditional uses of cannabis in Ayurveda have been mostly limited to digestive and respiratory conditions. Traditional Ayurveda would not tend to recommend cannabis for the treatment of cancer, anxiety, depression, pain or many of the other conditions cannabis is being prescribed for medicinally today. Some may try to make a distinction between hemp and marijuana, based upon the level of THC in the plant. Traditional Ayurveda has made no such distinction. Marijuana, hemp food products, and CBD all share the same toxic effects described by the traditional texts on Ayurveda. Ayurveda would not only advise adamantly against the use of CBD, but also hemp seeds, butter, or milk for food, just as it advises against the use of unprocessed marijuana. Unlike with hemp seeds or cannabis, it is not possible to process CBD products which are most often liquid according to the traditional Ayurvedic procedure for purification of cannabis. If the cannabis used to produce CBD was first treated, Ayurveda still would not tend to recommend its use in a highly processed form or in large quantities for conditions like anxiety or pain. The subject of the use of Cannabis in Traditional Ayurveda has been dealt with in depth in a separate article.
Ayurvedic View of Processed Foods and Substances
Ayurveda in general recommends consuming whole foods and herbs in their natural state, or as close to their natural state as possible. Ayurveda recommends against modern extracts of herbs for several reasons. Traditional Ayurveda does not make use of extracts as they are produced today. Ayurveda does extract the water soluble portions of herbs into teas, and decoctions which are then used in a variety of other preparations. Otherwise herbs tend to be used in their fresh or dried state. One exception to this is the extract (sattva) of the starches of Gudduci (Tinospora cordifolia). Starches are extracted through a very simple and natural process of soaking the peeled stems in water and then decanting. More complex processing is understandably used in Ayurveda to reduce the toxicity of toxic plants and minerals. But this processing is based upon herbs and natural substances, rather than the chemicals of modern extracts, and processes like boiling or burning, rather than the vacuums and pressure treatments of modern laboratories.
One reason Ayurveda recommends foods and herbs to be used in their natural state, is that natural substances are more easily recognized by the human body and more easily absorbed. One potential concern with highly processed foods and herbal supplements is that the body does not easily recognize them as food. Many of the modern techniques of processing cause substances to become somewhat toxic. The body digests food and it is nourished by it. The body rejects toxins and pathogens. Somewhere between these two extremes, highly processed foods cause stress to the system which does not know precisely how to respond to a somewhat toxic, yet somewhat nourishing substance.
Another reason Ayurveda recommends foods and herbs in their whole state, is that many herbs contain substances which are capable of producing undesirable effects. Such herbs often also contain substances which counter-balance these unwanted effects. Many potentially toxic herbs also contain antidotes. Scientists often try to identify and isolate the so-called "active ingredient" within an herb. Yet most herbs contain multiple synergistic "active ingredients," which function best in conjunction. There is always a risk, that when we extract one portion of an herb, and leave behind other portions, that we will diminish the healing effects of the herb and increase the potential dangers associated with its use.
Another reason is that in the absence of standardized processing and regulation of producers, it is very difficult to discern what parts of the original plant, if any, remain in the finished product. Recently, an Ayurvedic client requested that I recommend Ayurvedic herbal extracts made by a company he had an affinity for. After studying the literature on their website about strengths and dosages of their extracts, I remained thoroughly confused. So I called the company and asked them directly. I asked, "for example, I might recommend a teaspoon of turmeric for a particular purpose. What amount of your turmeric extract pills, would be roughly equivalent to a teaspoon?" They responded that they had no idea. Their honesty was refreshing in an industry full of people making false claims and saying whatever they need to to sell their products. So much so, I would have happily recommended their products, if I had any idea what they would do or how much to recommend. This is not a problem peculiar to CBD. It affects herbal extracts in general. In the absence of regulation of herbal supplements, it is not possible to know what effects an herbal product may have. The same product sold by one brand might have entirely opposite qualities compared to the same product sold by another brand. It is not always known if the herb listed on the label was even used in a supplement's production, or if so, how much of that herb remains in the finished product. When the uncertainty about processing is coupled with the adulteration with various additives, binders, and preservatives, the situation becomes extremely complex. In the case of health supplements, presumably manufactured by companies with a goal to help promote the health of their clientele, this is a problem. It is much worse in the case of CBD products produced to make a profit. Though people assume that when they buy CBD products, that the CBD has been extracted from cannabis, this is not necessarily so. When this basic uncertainty of the sources of CBD is coupled with the widely varied means of processing and the various additives, preservatives, flavorings, coloring, and other chemicals added to these unregulated products, it is clear that traditional Ayurveda would not approve.
Ayurvedic Views on Psychology
The Ayurvedic approach to psychology is very different than the Western approach. Whereas many psychological conditions like schizophrenia, depression, and PTSD are considered incurable in the West, Ayurveda routinely treats these and similar conditions with a reasonable rate of complete recovery. While Western medicine aims to control symptoms of such conditions, Ayurveda aims to get to the root causes. Western doctors often prescribe medications with tranquilizing effects, as the aim of management is to cause the symptoms to lessen. From an Ayurvedic perspective, this is counter-productive and impedes the process of healing. Ayurvedic herbs given for psychological conditions aim to increase clarity in the mind. They do not numb, or dull, or repress thoughts and emotions as do the Western psychotropic drugs. In many cases, Ayurvedic herbs given for mental conditions may actually increase the intensity of emotions as they are purged from the subconscious. The goal of treatment in Ayurveda is to help a patient to access, gain clarity about, and to release negative thoughts and emotions from the mind. This process leads to healing the mind, and it is hindered by drugs which dull the mind and lessen a person's ability to experience their thoughts and emotions.
To understand Ayurvedic psychology further, a person must understand the concept of the three gunas, or mental qualities. These are rajas (activity / agitation), tamas (dullness / inertia / depression), and sattva (equilibrium / balance, / peace / clarity). Just as Ayurvedic treatments seek to balance the three doshas within the physical body, Ayurvedic psychology seeks to balance these three gunas within the mind. In general, mental health will result when sattva is promoted and rajas and tamas pacified. When it is understood that mental illness arises from a difficulty to process the thoughts or feelings that one experiences, it is clear why mental dullness or agitation would serve to hinder the process of healing. This is why Western psychological management is often not effective to treat psychological disorders. Though psychotropic medications can provide some temporary relief from negative thoughts and emotions, they do not tend to help a person to uproot them entirely because they tend to be dulling.
There are certain cases when a mentally ill person is so out of control that it can be useful to restrain them in certain ways. Good examples of this would be when a patient becomes homicidal or suicidal. Traditional Ayurveda has recommended the physical restraint of such patients by means of rope, chains, or imprisonment. Modern psychology has made use of padded cages and straight jackets for this same purpose. However, many have come to view such practices of physical restraint as inhumane, and so medications which restrain the mind have been substituted. From an Ayurvedic perspective, this approach does even more harm, because though it may protect a patient from immediate danger, it impedes the process of recovery. Because modern laws may not allow Ayurvedic practitioners to chain up their patients as was done in earlier times, even Ayurveda could admit the limited utility of such tranquilizing medications to prevent serious danger to a severely unbalanced patient. However, the goal would be to help that patient regain enough control to be able to stop any medications which limit access to the thoughts and emotions which must be addressed. The goal would involve the eventual replacement of dulling medications with herbs that increase mental clarity and promote recovery. To be effective, such Ayurvedic herbal treatments must be accompanied by healthy lifestyle, diet, counseling, meditation, and implementation of various techniques designed to help a person process things in a healthy way. The full practice of Ayurvedic psychology is beyond the scope of this present article, but is addressed in depth in texts like "Ayurveda and the Mind" by Dr. David Frawley.
In the case of excessive tamas (dullness, lethargy, depression) Ayurveda would tend to recommend herbs which are somewhat stimulating, but not agitating. In the case of excess rajas (mental activity, agitation, anxiety, anger), Ayurveda would tend to recommend remedies which are calming, but not dulling. Certain substances are recommended against for common use due to excessively stimulating or dulling qualities. Garlic is not recommended in general as a food, due to its potential to overstimulate a person mentally. Garlic, however, is recognized as a powerful medicine, and is used with care to treat various conditions. Because of its extremely dulling qualities, Ayurveda would not tend recommend CBD. CBD, like many of the Western psychotropic drugs, has the capacity to impede the mental clarity required for a person to process thoughts and feelings. CBD does not however have the same capacity as strong psychotropic medications to tranquilize a severely unbalanced patient. Despite the many claims that are made of CBD to control the most intense emotions, few would ever consider giving a psychotic and homicidal patient with a gun a few drops of CBD oil when intravenous tranquilizers are available. The efficacy of CBD to work under such circumstances is dubious at best, yet its hindrance to healing from mental illness, its toxicity, and the potential harm it does is quite similar to the much stronger tranquilizers used by doctors. From an Ayurvedic perspectives, CBD presents the same problems and risks as powerful psychological medications without the therapeutic benefits.
The Effects of CBD
Though CBD does not possess the same extent of narcotic action as marijuana, nor the same therapeutic action as the psychotropic drugs, it does present the same potential harm to the body. Traditional Ayurvedic texts on dravyaguna state that marijuana is toxic to the liver and reproductive system and is damaging to the mind and nervous system. The long-term effects of marijuana use tend to affect a person's motivation; cause depression; increase anxiety and anti-social behavior. Studies have shown CDB to possess similar qualities. CBD has been shown to present danger to patients with liver conditions and potential to increase symptoms of Parkinson's. Its side effects include drowsiness. This is in line with the traditional Ayurvedic warnings about the potential damage cannabis can cause the liver, mind, and nervous system. Probably, studies have not been done regarding the effects of CBD upon the health of the reproductive system. It is suspected that CBD will be shown to present similar risks to fertility as cannabis from which it is derived. These are examples of the toxic effects of unprocessed cannabis effecting CBD users.
In other cases, the potential therapeutic benefits of properly used cannabis seem to be evidenced by the effects of CBD. Side effects found in CBD studies also include decreased appetite and diarrhea. Because Ayurveda most often has used processed cannabis for digestive conditions, these effects would tend to indicate that CBD is increasing the doshas causing disturbance to the digestive system. Marijuana and CBD are very powerful substances which must be used when there is a need. It is wrong to think of CBD or any other substance as a panacea capable of curing every condition for every person. People have developed a misconception that one medicine can be capable of curing the same disease for every individual. The theory of the three doshas in Ayurveda provides insight into a person's individual condition and the specific need for certain healing substances. A patient with high blood pressure should certainly not take the same medication as a person with low blood pressure. A person with diarrhea, should not take the same medication as a person with constipation. Doctors go to medical school for many years learning how to prescribe the right medication. Ayurvedic doctors in India are trained through a very similar process of formal education before they prescribe herbs. Marijuana is a heating substance, and as such, it will not be useful for people whose bodies are overheated by an excess of pitta. Laypeople should be very cautious when recommending herbs to others, especially in the case of very potent and potentially toxic herbs like cannabis. We are providing two links (1 and 2) that could help guide interested readers toward research about the side effects of CBD.
Ayurvedic View of using of Single Herbs
Even if Ayurveda did support the use of cannabis or CBD preparations, it would not recommend taking them on their own as they are most often used now. Ayurveda does not generally recommend the use of single herbs, but instead utilizes formulations. There are many traditional Ayurvedic formulations containing anywhere from three to well over a hundred herbs, with many of the most popular formulas containing somewhere between 20 and 50 herbs. There are several advantages to using herbs as a part of a formula. One is that if a single herb has some potentially undesirable effect, or if a person has a sensitivity to a specific herb, this is reduced when herbs are given as a part of a formula. One reason for this is that the amount of any given herb in a formula will be less than if the herb were taken on its own. Also the other herbs in the formula often act to counteract any undesirable effects of other herbs in the formula. Certain herbs are specifically added to formulas for this reason. It is standard practice to add certain carminative herbs to formulas containing ingredients that are heavy to digest. The healing potency of herbs is also often enhanced when herbs are used in formulas. If several herbs which are good for the liver are taken together, this increases the efficacy of all the individual ingredients. Formulas help to increase the chances that the herbs will work on the desired organs or tissues of the body. Because formulas are safer, gentler, and more effective, they are always preferred for use in Ayurveda.
Generally it is in excess that CBD is capable of producing its desired effects, not in small amounts or as a part of a blend. But the effects of CBD which consumers are experiencing today would be seen as unwanted side-effects in traditional Ayurveda. Traditional Ayurvedic texts list "toxic" and "intoxicating" among the undesirable actions that herbs may possess. The toxicity of CBD and cannabis from which it is produced have been address already. Though many would try to claim that CBD is a safe alternative to cannabis because it lacks the narcotic effects, this is not the case. A narcotic is defined as "a substance affecting mood or behavior." An intoxicant is a "substance which causes someone to lose control of their faculties or behavior." Though the narcotic effects of CBD are undoubtedly less pronounced than those of unprocessed marijuana, they are significant. The same propensity to dull the mind is present in CBD as in marijuana. Many people are seeking this effect. Though Ayurveda would not recommend this, Ayurveda would not judge those who do. Ayurveda would, however, encourage people to not be deluded about this or to claim false benefits. People drink alcohol to numb their minds and senses, and alcohol is extremely popular. The popularity of CBD is increasing steadily because it has a similar ability to numb the mind and senses.
Conclusion
Ayurveda would tend to recommend against the use of CBD. Ayurveda has recommended instead the use of pure cannabis (after purification to reduce toxicity and narcotic effects) for a few limited conditions. Ayurveda would recommend taking it in very small amounts as a part of a well designed formula along with other herbs. Herbs like Calamus should be taken also to further reduce the toxicity. Nervine tonics could be taken also to help address the root causes of the condition, and to further reduce damge to the mind and nervous system.
It is the instinct of the mind to attempt to avoid difficult thoughts and feelings. Many people depend upon psychiatric medications or drugs and alcohol to help them to avoid facing such feelings. Treatment of mental conditions in Ayurveda depends upon a person's ability to face the thoughts and feelings within so that they can be released. CBD works in the same way as modern psychiatric medicines and illegal drugs to dull a person's perception. While this may reduce a person's ability to feel the emotions, it does not cure the underlying condition by addressing the feelings. The repressed emotions remain in the subconscious mind and tend to lead to more serious health concerns until they are addressed. As such, Ayurveda would recommend against the use of CBD just as it recommends against intoxication from alcohol or other substances. The Astanga Hridayam recommends against the selling of alcohol or other intoxicants, due to the serious karma created by dulling the minds of people and perpetuating mental unrest. Ayurveda would likewise recommend against using and selling CBD for monetary gain. Compassionate health care professionals should carefully consider the effects of the substances they recommend to their clients. With a desire to heal, they should recommend safer and more effective alternatives to CBD, thousands of which are recommended by the traditional texts on Ayurveda.