The Benefits of CBD
Cannabidiol - known as CBD - is a versatile and popular health tonic at the moment. Fans believe that CBD has many health benefits
CBD is one of the many cannabinoids - the ‘active ingredients’ - in cannabis and hemp plants. These cannabinoids affect multiple organs in the body, from your skin and brain to your heart and digestive system.
CBD alone can’t get you high. The intoxicating chemical in cannabis plants is called tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. When CBD is on its own, it won’t make you feel intoxicated - but it can relieve specific ailments.
CBD is widely available in cannabis stores, both online and offline. Nowadays, you can easily buy CBD oil, CBD capsules and pills, CBD tinctures, CBD-infused lotions and balms, CBD candy, and even CBD dog treats. But before you decide to buy any of these products, it’s essential to understand what CBD is and how it can benefit you.
Here are some of CBD’s most well-known benefit:
1) CBD can prevent seizures
One of the most well-known benefits of CBD is that it treats certain seizure conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a CBD-based treatment for seizures, called Epidiolex. Epidiolex is a prescription medicine that is used to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two rare forms of epilepsy. The medication reduces the length and severity of seizures.
CBD itself is the ‘active ingredient’ that reduces seizures. Before Epidiolex was created, many parents found that CBD gave their children relief from seizures. This led to the creation of cannabis strains like Charlotte’s Web, which has minimal THC and a lot of CBD.
2) CBD can reduce pain and inflammation
CBD has proven anti-inflammatory properties, which means that it reduces the swelling associated with chronic and temporary conditions.
It also seems to reduce pain effectively: a 2018 review of studies agreed that it can effectively reduce pain. This review specifically looked at cancer-related pain, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain.
CBD is commonly used by people with chronic pain conditions, injury-related temporary pain, and menstrual cramps. CBD is often infused into lotions, balms, and massage oils to reduce pain in specific areas in your body.
3) CBD might be able to treat mood disorders
Some research suggests CBD can reduce anxiety and depression. One study, involving 54 subjects, showed that 300 mg of CBD reduced stress before and during a public speaking test.
One case study showed that CBD treated pediatric insomnia and anxiety in a child with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is one kind of anxiety disorder.
Interestingly, three rat studies - one conducted in 2009, one done in 2012, and another in 2019 - suggested that CBD might be able to reduce depression. It’s said that CBD affects the way your brain uses serotonin - the ‘happiness hormone.’
A further 2018 review suggested that CBD reduces one’s overall stress level.
Although this needs to be studied further, the research is up-and-coming to those with mood disorders.
4) CBD can reduce the symptoms of cancer
You might have heard people claim that CBD kills cancer cells. While there is evidence that CBD might have tumor-fighting effects and could slow the growth of cancer cells, there isn’t enough research for anyone to claim that CBD definitely kills cancer.
However, many researchers have found that CBD reduces pain, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms associated with cancer and chemotherapy treatments.
The 2018 review mentioned earlier showed that CBD can reduce cancer-related pain. A 2010 study showed that CBD can reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. These studies bring a great deal of hope to those who are fighting against cancer.
5) CBD might benefit heart health
There’s some scientific evidence that CBD can support your cardiovascular system - that is, your heart, blood vessels, and everything in between.
One 2017 study showed that a single dose of CBD reduced blood pressure in adult male participants. Another study, which looked at diabetic mice, found that CBD reduced heart damage and oxidative stress.
While the link between CBD and cardiovascular health must be studied further, the current research is optimistic.
6) CBD might have antipsychotic effects
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects a surprising amount of people. So far, there
A study dating back to 2006 shows that CBD could have anti-psychotic effects that work similarly to how typical anti-psychotic drugs work.
However, CBD still needs to be studied further before we’re sure of how it affects people with schizophrenia. If you’re schizophrenic, you must speak to a doctor about trying any new substance. You should not go off your medication or try a new drug on your own.
7) CBD could treat acne and other skin conditions
CBD doesn’t just work on the inside of your body - it can improve the appearance of your skin, too.
Since it’s an anti-inflammatory chemical, CBD can reduce the inflammation associated with acne and other skin conditions. A 2014 study showed that CBD also affects the sebaceous glands, meaning it regulates the amount of sebum - natural oils - produced by your skin.
Research published in 2016 has suggested that CBD can improve acne in both oily and dry skin, thanks in part to its anti-inflammatory properties.
It’s easy to see why CBD is loved by beauty influencers and makeup fanatics as well as wellness gurus!
CBD’s popularity is well-earned: the research clearly shows CBD has a wide range of health benefits. While research on CBD is still in its infancy, we can expect to learn about even more benefits in the future.
It’s essential to talk to your doctor before trying CBD. While CBD has relatively few side effects, it can interact badly with certain medications. As such, it’s a good idea to use CBD under your doctor’s supervision. Your doctor might also be able to recommend a brand of CBD and help you figure out the best dosage of CBD for you.
To harness the benefits of CBD, it’s also essential to invest in high-quality CBD products. If you are interested in using CBD to treat any illness or to support your general wellbeing, please check out our products.