What Is CBD?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, a chemical compound that is found in the cannabis plant. CBD is a non-intoxicating component of the plant and is believed to have many therapeutic effects on the human body and mind.
In this article, we will be reviewing some of those potential health benefits of CBD oil, with special attention paid to the science behind each benefit.
About CBD Oil Benefits
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is an extraction from the cannabis plant that is then diluted with a carrier oil, such as hemp or coconut. CBD is one of several compounds called cannabinoids. It’s a naturally occurring substance used in products like oils and edibles to impart a feeling of relaxation and calm. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it isn’t psychoactive.
Research on CBD oil benefits continues to grow as new uses for this compound are uncovered. The following are 12 of the potential benefits of using CBD that have been backed by research studies:
1. CBD Oil offset Anxiety and Depression
Apart from reducing the urge to take in opiates, several studies have shown that CBD oil can offset anxiety and depression.
CBD oil is made from cannabis plant. It helps treat diseases like anxiety, stress and depression, among others which are important factors in addiction.
CBD oil is an alternative to pharmaceuticals used for treating Depression and Anxiety. Patients who suffer from these conditions are usually treated with prescription drugs which come with many side effects including headaches, agitation, insomnia and sexual dysfunction among others.
Unlike its close cousin THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), it is non-psychoactive meaning it doesn’t make you high. This makes CBD oil legal across all 50 states of USA without the need of a prescription or recommendation from a doctor.
2. Relieves Pain
If you have pain that has a sudden onset, then CBD oil is your best bet.
For people who have daily chronic pain, it may take a little longer to see the effects of CBD oil, but since it is natural and non-toxic, it can be taken on a daily basis.
CBD oil works with the body’s endocannabinoid system to regulate things like sleep, immune-system responses and pain. When the endocannabinoid system is working well, people are able to maintain a healthy weight, sleep better at night and reduce their risk for disease.
CBD oil also contains some essential vitamins such as Vitamin E which can help improve skin health as well as some minerals including calcium and magnesium which can help strengthen bones.
3. Reduces Nausea And Vomiting
CBD oil is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting. The body has a system known as the endocannabinoid system which is responsible for many functions including controlling nausea, vomiting and pain. Scientists have discovered that CBD is effective in preventing the breakdown of the endocannabinoid anandamide. Anandamide plays a very important role in controlling nausea, vomiting and pain. When it is broken down, these functions are affected negatively. Therefore, with CBD oil preventing its breakdown, it can effectively reduce nausea, vomiting and related pains. This makes it beneficial to patients under chemotherapy who suffer from these discomforts on a daily basis.
Is CBD oil for nausea and vomiting effective for every patient? One thing about cannabis-based treatments is that they are not one size fits all treatment options. Therefore, what may work for one patient may not work at all for another patient. However, if you are a cancer patient suffering from the side effects of undergoing chemotherapy such as nausea and vomiting then you should consider using CBD oil because it will be highly beneficial to you since it increases your appetite and reduces your feelings of discomfort resulting from this side effect of undergoing cancer treatment.”
5. Anti-Seizure Properties
CBD has been shown to reduce seizures in patients with severe epilepsy. In fact, CBD is a promising treatment option for epilepsy and seizure disorders.
We need more research on CBD to know exactly how it can be used as an effective treatment for these conditions. However, many studies have been published showing the positive effects that CBD has on epilepsy and seizure disorders.
While these studies are promising, they are limited by small sample sizes, so more research is needed. But this could be a huge step forward. Anticonvulsant medications often come with some dangerous side effects, so the ability to treat epilepsy without those side effects would be a huge benefit for doctors and their patients alike.
In one study of children with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that begins in childhood and is accompanied by developmental delays and other issues such as hyperactivity or irritability, researchers found that adding CBD to traditional anticonvulsant medications reduced the number of seizures in these kids by 39 percent over 12 weeks compared to 15 percent when they took only traditional anticonvulsants.
6. Immune Support
One of the most important uses of CBD oil is its ability to support the immune system. Cannabidiol can help your body fight off infections and prevent illnesses such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties which means it can be used to keep people safe from illnesses like pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, food poisoning and even AIDS.
To understand how cannabidiol helps people stay healthy we must first look at what exactly CBD is composed of. The main components are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBN (cannabigerol) and CBD itself which contains no psychoactive qualities whatsoever but instead helps to regulate the amount of THC produced by your body so that it does not become overstimulated from using marijuana or other medications containing this compound.
7. Lower Risk Of Diabetes And Obesity
CBD oil has been scientifically proven to lower the risk of diabetes and obesity. Diabetic mice given a dose of CBD had reduced symptoms of diabetes. These included lower blood sugar, weight loss, and insulin resistance.
CBD oil reduces inflammation in the body that causes the insulin-resistance in mice associated with type 1 diabetes.
CBD also improves metabolism related to sugar and fat metabolism as seen with decreased levels of insulin, glucose and triglycerides.
The effects of CBD on gut bacteria can lead to CBD benefits for weight management. CBD changes gut bacteria which leads to improved metabolic function and regulation of gut barrier function.
The study concluded that CBD oil could be an effective way for people who are overweight or obese: “Effects were observed in all strains, both male and female, suggesting that modulation of the gut microbial flora by cannabinoids might be a potentially useful strategy for future treatments against obesity-associated inflammation conditions”
8. Healthy Heart
- *CBD helps to lower blood pressure.
- People suffering from stroke can benefit by CBD oil as it helps in the improvement of cardiovascular function.
- It also reduces heart damage after a heart attack.
- CBD oil has been proved to prevent arterial sclerosis and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It improves cardiovascular health as it treats clotting of platelets in people with coronary heart disease and diabetes.
9. Can Promote Bone Growth
CBD oil has demonstrated the ability to promote healthy bone growth. It increases bone density, prevents osteoporosis, and helps improve overall bone health. According to a study conducted by the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research in 2008, CBD can suppress osteoclast activity and prevent bones from deteriorating. Due to this effect on preventing the onset of osteoporosis, studies are being conducted on whether CBD can alleviate this condition that is often associated with old age.[65]
10. CBD Oil Can Treat Select Epilepsy Syndromes
- CBD Oil Can Treat Select Epilepsy Syndromes
Researchers are looking into a receptor located in the brain to learn about the ways that CBD could help people with neurodegenerative disorders, which are diseases that cause the brain and nerves to deteriorate over time. You’ve probably heard of Parkinson’s disease, but there are many other similar conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), Huntington’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Animal studies have shown that CBD may help reduce inflammation and protect against or delay the development of certain neurological disorders. Researchers believe this is due to the way that CBD acts on the brain and its impact on the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in regulating a variety of functions.
CBD has been tested on animals for its ability to prevent seizures caused by epilepsy and other conditions. In one study, CBD oil reduced seizures by 36.5% compared to a placebo group who saw only an 18% reduction. Other studies have found similar results with mice treated with high doses of purified CBD extract or purified synthetic CBD. But what about humans?
11. Can Reduce PTSD Symptoms
[Diagrams of what PTSD is]
A study published in 2007 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed that CBD oil benefits include, having anti-inflammatory, anti-pain and antioxidant properties.
According to the researchers, this medication can be used as a treatment for chronic pain and other diseases caused by inflammation like arthritis.
With many PTSD sufferers turning towards this treatment for relief from their symptoms with little or no side effects, it’s no wonder that the CBD oil industry has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years.
This quick absorption into your bloodstream is one of the reasons why CBD oil has proven to be so effective in treating so many different conditions that cause pain or distress to an individual such as fibromyalgia, IBS, osteoarthritis etc..
12. Takes Care of Opioid Addiction
CBD oil is a natural remedy for opioid addiction. It helps to provide relief from withdrawal symptoms and reduce the craving, thus helping people to quit opioids. CBD affects the brain’s reward system.
In one study on rats, it was found that CBD treatment reduced heroin self-administration and prevented relapse even in a stress situation (7).
13. Can Alleviate ALS Symptoms
While there is still a lot to learn about CBD, it’s clear that it has the potential to be a powerful tool in helping people manage their symptoms. As science and technology advance, new and innovative ways of using CBD are going to emerge.
If you or anyone you know has ALS, CBD may be able to help!
Please share this article so that everyone will know about the benefits of CBD oil for treating ALS!
14. Able to Ease Diabetic Complications
In a 2011 study, scientists discovered that CBD benefits including possessing anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to reduce anxiety in rats. In 2013 an Israeli study demonstrated that treatment with cannabinoids helped to control inflammatory responses in rats with pain issues.
In 2015 researchers noted that CBD acts in a diphasic manner, meaning that in low doses it suppresses toxin-induced vomiting, but in high doses it increases nausea or has no effect.
In the same study, scientists also found that CBD reduced the inflammation and cell death associated with heart disease due to its powerful antioxidant and stress-reducing properties.
CBD oil’s potential as a treatment for diabetes includes:
Helps to regulate insulin production
Helps to reduce inflammation
Improves glucose levels (blood sugar)
May prevent the development of type 1 diabetes in children
May reduce the development of obesity (a risk factor for type 2 diabetes)
May help to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes
15. Ability to Inhibit Arthritis Symptoms
CBD oil has the ability to ease up the arthritis symptoms. In some countries, people take this oil as a dietary supplement for their body. There is not only one type of joint pain, but there are many types of arthritis that can develop inside your body if you have it in your genetics.
The osteoarthritis condition can be treated by using CBD oil and its other products. In fact, it can also be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because it contains a significant level anti-inflammatory property in it. It’s very important to note that every person reacts differently to CBD oils or any CBD product that is being introduced into his/her system so there’s no guarantee whether this will work or not for anyone until and unless they try it on themselves.
16. Can Protect Against Neurological Disease
CBD oil has been shown to protect the brain and nervous system, reduce many symptoms associated with neurological disorders, and potentially even protect against the development of some disorders.
- CBD Prevents the Development of Social Recognition Deficit in Alzheimer’s patients: Researchers believe that CBD helps to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. In a study conducted on mice, researchers gave transgenic Alzheimer’s mice a treatment containing cannabinoids for eight months. The results indicated that CBD prevented cognitive decline in rodents. In another study published by Salk Institute researchers concluded, “treatments based on cannabinoid receptor activation are effective at reducing cognitive deficits” in Alzheimer’s patients.
- CBD Protects Against Brain Cell Damage from Toxic Substances: Research shows that CBD may help protect against further damage to brain cells after exposure to chemicals or trauma.* *CBD is Non-Psychoactive: Unlike THC which causes mind altering effects in users, CBD does not have any psychoactive effects on the body or mind because it does not act like other compounds that bind easily to cannabinoid receptors.* *CBD is Safe and Non-Addictive: Aside from relieving pain and anxiety, there are no known side effects of using CBD oil products.*
The health benefits of the CBD oil are mind blowing.
There is no doubt that CBD oil has a wide range of health benefits and can help with many different ailments. The power of the CBD is mind blowing, which makes it perfect for anyone involved in the wellness or medicinal world. The key to using it properly is being aware of the correct dosage and being well informed about its contents and use.
The beauty of CBD oil is that it’s legal in all 50 states, so you don’t need an ID or doctor’s recommendation to purchase or use it. It also comes in a variety of forms that make usage simple, such as tinctures, sprays, capsules and even edibles like candies or baked goods. If you have your own organic hemp supply, you can even make your own CBD oil from scratch at home!
Because CBD oil has a multitude of applications, people tend to be very specific about how they want to consume their cannabidiol. Some prefer tinctures over sprays because they feel like this form mimics the effects most closely (it’s similar to when you eat gummies). Others prefer chewable edibles because they’re easier on their stomachs than capsules/pills are; some enjoy making drinks out of these two types as well (like coffee).
Takeaway
The one takeaway to keep in mind is that CBD can be used for a variety of maladies. You should have a better understanding of how it works, how it’s made and what you should look for when purchasing. It can help ease the pain while also helping with mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
While research into its benefits is ongoing, it’s imperative to consult your physician before you start taking CBD so they can advise you properly. They will let you know if there are any potential side effects or interactions with other medications.