CBD, or cannabidiol, is quite possibly the most exciting modern health discovery. It’s a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis plants, and it doesn’t give you a “high” like marijuana does. In fact, unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. Researchers have found that CBD has a wide range of health benefits, from pain relief to fighting inflammation to helping anxiety and depression.
In this guide, we’ll cover the leading health benefits CBD offers, and we’ll also explore a few other ways you can add cannabidiol to your daily life. This post will cover some of the most common ailments CBD has been touted to alleviate.
Table of Contents
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is a compound that is found in cannabis plants. CBD is a cannabinoid that’s extracted from hemp or cannabis plants, and it doesn’t have any psychoactive properties like THC does, so that it can be used safely without any side effects. It has been used as medicine for centuries, and it has been proven to have healing properties. CBD can be found in different forms, like oils, tinctures, edibles, and topicals. The most common form is the oil extract which can be ingested orally or applied directly to the skin.
What are The Main Health Benefits?
CBD has become a popular drug of choice among people looking for natural alternatives to common pharmaceuticals. The best part is that you can consume cbd products in various ways, so users can choose a method that suits their needs. But what are some things that CBD has been shown to help with?
1. It Can Reduce Acne
Acne is a skin condition that causes inflammation and hair follicle clogging. It affects the oil glands in the skin, which leads to acne breakouts. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces redness, swelling, and pain. For it to work, acne sufferers need to use a topical cream and apply it to the affected areas.
2. Treat Specific Epilepsy Conditions
Seizures are a sudden, temporary disturbance of brain function that occurs because of the brain cells’ abnormal and excessive activity. It can affect consciousness, awareness, behavior, motor control, or sensory function and can be a terrifying event for anyone unlucky enough to suffer from them. According to animal studies, CBD’s anti-seizure benefits may be due to its capacity to reduce neuron activity by interacting with two receptor groups termed GPR55 and TRPV1.
3. PTSD Symptoms Can Be Reduced
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event, such as witnessing an event or experiencing it oneself. It can cause various reactions that range from mild to extreme. The symptoms of PTSD can vary depending on the person and their life experiences. They may feel like they are reliving the trauma repeatedly, have nightmares and flashbacks, or feel detached from others in their life. Some human trials have shown that CBD could relieve PTSD symptoms.
Although some studies used only CBD, others combined it with THC, reducing the issue. This means that while CBD can have the intended effects on its own, better outcomes could be reached with other compounds of the cannabis plant.
4. Treatment of Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is a chronic disease that can affect anyone and any age group and can also be fatal if not treated properly. The use of opioids has increased dramatically in the United States over the past few decades, and there is no sign of it slowing down anytime soon. CBD has been proven to reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction and may help with the process of detoxification.
5. Relieve Chronic Pain
Anyone suffering from chronic pain can experience a drastic reduction in their quality of life. CBD is known for its ability to induce calmness and relaxation in the body and relieve chronic pain. Studies have shown that CBD effectively treats chronic pain caused by cancer and its treatment. This is true for most forms of consumption, including topical treatment.
6. It May Protect Against Neurological Diseases
Preclinical studies have shown that CBD is effective against Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Other issues like Huntington’s disease were also investigated, but no substantial positive findings were found. The efficacy of CBD as a treatment for these conditions needs to be validated with more clinical research. Nevertheless, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties show great promise for those suffering from these awful diseases.
CBD can treat dozens of ailments, including anxiety, depression, inflammation, epilepsy, nausea, pain, sleep, and more. However, despite some studies showing conclusive evidence, much more research needs to be conducted to verify the results thoroughly.
Also read: What is Hemp: Description, Uses, Benefits and Side Effects
