Did a friend or colleague mention CBD that made you curious about it?
You may have heard about Cannabidiol (CBD) frequently discussed in the media, and you might see it promoted as a supplement to your morning coffee or post-workout smoothie. But precisely what is CBD? Why is it so well-liked, then?
Cannabis sativa plants contain a substance called cannabidiol, also known as CBD. CBD works with neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid system, which delivers messages between your cells to assist regulate your mobility, mood, homeostasis, and immune system when applied topically, absorbed by smoke inhalation or edible ingestion, or eaten raw.
Want to learn more about CBD? Continue reading below:
Getting Started
CBD from the cannabis plant is extracted to make CBD oil, diluted with a carrier oil, including coconut oil or hemp seed oil. A wide range of goods, including nutritional supplements, bath soaks, drinks, and food, may be available with CBD online and in stores.
It is gaining popularity in the health and wellness industry, and some research suggests that it may help with the symptoms of illnesses, including anxiety and chronic pain. However, is it the best option for you?
5 Health Benefits of Using CBD
Anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder can all be helped by things like these mellow road cbd products. Additionally, many advertise CBD as a sleep aid. The claim that CBD is “nonpsychoactive” and that users can experience health advantages contributes to its appeal.
Let’s skip the talk; here are a few benefits of using CBD:
1: Helps Relieve Pain
Since 2900 BC, cannabis has been used to relieve pain. More subsequently, scientists have learned that CBD and other cannabis constituents are what give the plant its pain-relieving properties.
The endocannabinoid system, a unique system found in humans, regulates several bodily processes, including sleep, hunger, pain perception, and immunological response. Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters your body makes that attach to cannabinoid receptors in your neurological system. CBD may lessen chronic pain by influencing the activity of endocannabinoid receptors, lowering inflammation, and engaging with neurotransmitters.
According to several studies, using CBD alone may help treat some forms of pain, such as back and nerve pain. It appears to work best when paired with THC, though. A combination of CBD and THC is useful in alleviating pain associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and arthritis.
Multiple nations have approved using Sativex (nabiximols), an oral spray containing a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD, to treat MS-related discomfort. 47 MS patients participated in a study that looked at the effects of taking Sativex for a month. The individuals noticed reductions in pain, walking capacity, and muscle cramps.
Furthermore, some studies indicate that CBD may help with fibromyalgia and other rheumatic illness symptoms. Those who took CBD for pain management reported minor to major improvement in symptoms, according to survey data from 2,701 fibromyalgia patients.
Moreover, preclinical evidence from research on rodents suggests that CBD may have positive benefits on arthritis-related pain and inflammation, although human studies are limited in this area.
More reputable studies are required to ascertain CBD’s effectiveness in pain management, even though scientists are cautiously optimistic that it may help treat various forms of pain, especially when paired with THC.
2: Reduce Mental Health Disorders
Anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions can severely harm your general health and well-being. Experts frequently use pharmaceuticals to treat mental health illnesses, but these medications have a range of side effects, including sleepiness, agitation, sleeplessness, sexual dysfunction, and headaches. Additionally, drugs like benzodiazepines carry the risk of addiction and can result in substance use disorders.
Many people who suffer from mental health concerns, including anxiety disorders, are interested in this natural medicine because CBD oil has shown potential as a treatment for several of these illnesses.
Researchers discovered that CBD might help people with social anxiety disorder and other anxiety-related conditions. In youngsters with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a kind of anxiety condition, CBD oil has successfully been used to treat their anxiety and insomnia. An adult with PTSD can use CBD to lessen symptoms, including nightmares, according to a 2019 small study. Although some people report that CBD alleviates depression-related symptoms, there is currently little human data to support CBD’s possible antidepressant properties.
However, the outcomes of multiple research point to the possibility that it can aid persons with cannabis use problems in reducing depression symptoms. Ongoing studies are looking into how CBD affects the signs of anxiety and sadness.
3: Reduce Cancer-Related Symptoms
CBD may lessen cancer-related problems and treatment-related adverse effects like nausea, vomiting, and pain.
In 177 cancer patients who had not found relief from painkillers, an older study examined the effects of CBD and THC. Those who got an extract combining both substances had significantly less discomfort than those who received only THC alone.
According to a review of five trials, there is some evidence that Sativex may benefit some people with cancer-related pain management. Nevertheless, the research results have been inconsistent on how cannabis and cannabinoids like CBD affect cancer-related nausea, pain, and loss of appetite.
Even though CBD may benefit certain cancer patients, additional research is required to decide whether CBD should be taken more frequently to manage cancer symptoms. It’s crucial to speak with your medical team if you have cancer and are considering using CBD or other cannabis-derived products. It’s possible that not all cancer patients can use these products safely, appropriately, or effectively.
4: It Has Neuroprotective Properties
The capacity of CBD to influence the endocannabinoid system and other brain-signaling systems, according to researchers, may aid those who suffer from neurological illnesses.
Though research in this field is still relatively new, some studies have shown impressive outcomes. In fact, one of the most researched uses for CBD is the treatment of neurological illnesses such as MS and epilepsy.
Sativex has been demonstrated to be a safe and efficient technique to lessen muscle spasticity in MS patients, reducing spasms in 75% of 276 patients who had medication-resistant muscle spasticity.
Research has also been done on CBD’s potential efficacy in treating various other neurological conditions. For instance, several studies have suggested that using CBD to treat Parkinson’s patients may enhance their quality of life and sleep.
However, scientists point out that there isn’t currently enough high-quality data. That means there isn’t enough data to back up the medical use of CBD for treating Parkinson’s disease. However, the FDA has authorized the use of one CBD product to manage several epileptic disorders.
The FDA approved Epidiolex, a pharmaceutical cannabidiol drug, for use in 2018 to treat seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two severe types of epilepsy.
The FDA also approved Epidiolex in 2020 for treating seizures brought on by tuberous sclerosis complex. This rare genetic disorder causes benign tumors in the brain and other body parts.
5: Heart Health Benefits
According to some research, CBD provides several advantages for the cardiovascular system and circulatory systems, such as the capacity to reduce excessive blood pressure.
Stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome are among the health disorders for which high blood pressure is associated with increased risks. Nine healthy men were given 600 mg of CBD oil in small research. Compared to a placebo, the CBD treatment decreased resting blood pressure. The males participated in stress tests, which often raised blood pressure. Surprisingly, the men’s blood pressure increased less than usual in response to these tests after taking a single dose of CBD.
Another test with 26 healthy men found that therapy with 600 mg of CBD daily for seven days significantly lowered blood pressure. After seven days, the impact was gone, nevertheless. After repeated dosages over time, the CBD group’s blood pressure levels in reaction to stress remained lower.
Additionally, according to the study’s findings, the CBD group had decreased arterial stiffness and better blood flow through their arteries.
Altogether, these results are encouraging, but further research is required to fully understand the potential advantages of CBD therapy for heart health.
Additional Potential Advantages of CBD
Besides the conditions mentioned above, CBD has also been investigated for its potential to cure various other health conditions.
Although additional research is required, the following health advantages of CBD are said to exist:
Potential Life Extension in Glioblastoma Patients – Recent research suggests that glioblastoma, a severe form of cancer, may benefit from treatment with a CBD and THC combination. However, there is a shortage of data to support this.
Antipsychotic Effects – According to studies, CBD may lessen the symptoms of psychosis in patients with schizophrenia and other psychological health issues.
Possibility Of Better Sleep – More research is required, although some studies suggest that CBD may help persons with specific sleep disorders sleep better.
Substance Abuse Treatment – People dependent on certain narcotics, such as heroin, may find relief from anxiety and sadness with CBD.
Potential Negative Effects of CBD
Although CBD is generally well-tolerated and considered harmless, some people may experience adverse side effects.
Study-reported adverse effects include:
- Fatigue
- Adjustments to appetite and weight.
- Diarrhea
Studies on pediatric epilepsy have noted additional side effects, including pneumonia, sleepiness, sedation, and abnormal liver function test results. But these results might result from CBD’s interactions with other drugs, like clobazam.
In reality, CBD interacts with some drugs, including those used to treat diabetes, depression, seizures, and pain. Please consult a medical expert before using CBD oil to determine its safety and prevent any potential interactions that could be dangerous.
Conclusion:
Numerous common health ailments, such as anxiety and neurological diseases, have been researched concerning the potential benefits of CBD oil in reducing their symptoms. Additionally, it might improve heart health and lessen some types of discomfort.
Remember that several health advantages are linked to using CBD and THC together rather than CBD alone. There is still much to unravel about the possible applications of CBD, and research into how CBD affects particular illnesses is ongoing.
Consult a medical expert first if you’re interested in using CBD to handle a health condition or to support overall health. They can advise you on whether including a CBD product in your regimen is appropriate and assist you in selecting the optimal option.
Reference:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476#:~:text=Studies%20suggest%20that%20CBD%20may,arthritis%20when%20applied%20to%20skin.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits#heart-health
https://www.forbes.com/health/body/cbd-oil-benefits/
