Bruxismo Sob a Ótica do Sistema Endocanabinoide: Uma Revisão Integrativa sobre a Eficácia do Canabidiol

Abstract

Bruxism is a parafunctional activity with a multifactorial origin, increasingly understood as a condition involving neurological mechanisms, emotional disturbances, sleep disorders, and altered pain modulation. In recent years, cannabidiol (CBD), one of the main compounds derived from Cannabis sativa, has attracted attention in dentistry for its therapeutic potential in conditions associated with bruxism, such as anxiety, orofacial pain, and sleep dysfunctions. This study aimed to analyze, through an integrative literature review, the effects of cannabidiol on the central nervous system and its possible role as an adjuvant in the management of bruxism.

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scielo, BVS, and LILACS databases, including articles published between 2013 and 2024 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. A total of 41 studies were included, focusing on the interaction between cannabidiol and the endocannabinoid system, the neurochemical modulation of bruxism, and the clinical applications of CBD in dentistry. The reviewed studies indicate that CBD possesses anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties, acting indirectly on CB1 and CB2 receptors located in brain regions involved in pain regulation and motor control.

The literature suggests that cannabidiol may help manage bruxism by targeting its key neurophysiological mechanisms. However, despite promising clinical data, the lack of randomized controlled trials with standardized doses and diagnostic criteria still limits its widespread use. It is concluded that cannabidiol represents a viable and safe therapeutic strategy, provided its prescription is based on scientific evidence, carried out individually, and monitored by qualified professionals.