Cannabidiol or CBD is found in the cannabis plant but it does not contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is associated with the high feeling that some people get when they use marijuana. This is one of the main reasons that CBD is sought after as a pain reliever and treatment for many other conditions from seizures to anxiety to sleep disorders. Once the compound is taken from the plant it is often mixed with a carrier oil like hemp seed or coconut. However, this mixture does not dilute the many benefits that can come from CBD.
Over the year there have been many scientific studies that show CBD has several health benefits. These include:
Pain relief – Studies have found that CBD can improve a variety of pain symptoms. It does this through your body’s endocannabinoid receptor activity. This system in your body, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), regulates things like pain and appetite. It does this through neurotransmitters. CBD interacts with these neurotransmitters and can reduce inflammation and the feeling of pain. Patients with chronic pain have been able to find relief by using CBD oil regularly. Researchers have found that CBD can also help reduce discomfort for patients with multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
Anxiety and depression – Most mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are often treated with prescription drugs. Unfortunately, these medications can come with some serious side effects. CBD oil offers a different approach that can help reduce a patient’s anxiety or depression. Scientists believe that the CBD’s ability to impact how the brain deals with serotonin levels that are present can produce these positive results in the mental wellbeing of patients.
Neurological disorders – The way the CBD acts on the body’s ECS makes it a good candidate for patients with neurological disorders. Some studies have shown the medication to be a promising treatment for reducing seizures in patients with MS or epilepsy. Most notably, it may play an important part in treating children with epilepsy syndromes like Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. While the research is still ongoing, some Parkinson’s patients have also found it has improved their sleep quality and overall feelings of wellbeing. There may even be some benefits for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. One study found that it can help prevent the cognitive deterioration that comes with the disease.
Blood pressure – Researchers have also found links between CBD use and lower blood pressure. One of the reasons for this could be the medicine’s ability to reduce feelings of stress or anxiety. When these feelings are not as noticeable, it can lead to a reduction in blood pressure levels for patients. This also makes CBD a likely treatment for those with heart disease as it has been found to reduce inflammation and prevent heart damage.
Sleep disorders – Due to its ability to reduce anxiety, CBD can also help treat people with sleep disorders such as insomnia. Researchers have discovered that the medicine can help patients to fall asleep and stay asleep. This is important as our bodies need a certain level of sleep to be able to function properly. Thus, using CBD oil to treat sleep disorders is a promising breakthrough for patients.
Acne – CBD oil has also shown promise in the area of dermatology. A study found that the medicine was able to stop glands from producing excess sebum, which is an oil that hydrates the skin. Although sebum is a natural chemical in your body, if it is too much, it can also cause acne. Therefore, the ability to reduce the production of sebum means that CBD oil can be a good way to clear up your skin.
Diabetes – Its proven ability to reduce inflammation makes CBD oil beneficial when dealing with Type 1 Diabetes. With this form of diabetes, the immune system attacks pancreatic cells. CBD can help reduce the inflammation in the pancreas, providing relief for patients. Studies are also being done to determine if CBD oil can delay Type 1 Diabetes in patients.
Schizophrenia – CBD oil has been found to help patients with Schizophrenia. One study discovered that those who took CBD oil daily for four weeks reported that their symptoms improved. Along with the medicine’s ability to curb anxious feelings, the lack of THS, which is the chemical that can trigger psychotic episodes in those who use it, could be another reason patients find relief with CBD oil.
Addictions – Studies have also found that CBD oil can be beneficial for those seeking treatment for substance abuse. Most of the research has been around patients with addictions to opioids, cocaine, cannabis and even tobacco. Patients who use CBD oil to overcome their addictions also benefit from the medicine’s ability to reduce pain and anxiety.
There are many other studies that are looking into other ways that CBD oil can benefit those with a variety of conditions. If you suffer from any of these conditions, CBD oil has been proven to help ease your symptoms and offer you the relief you need.