The Wonderful Benefits of CBD

By James Parker

In the realm of health and medicine, the benefits of CBD continue to generate a heated debate. What is CBD used for? What are the CBD health benefits? Is it all real or just hype? If such questions stump you, stick around to find the answers.

CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. It is a compound present in marijuana plants; however, unlike marijuana, CBD does not get you high.

But if it is derived from cannabis, why doesn’t it get you high? Well, it’s because CBD obtained from hemp has less than 0.3% THC. In fact, many CBD products are THC-free.

Over the last few years, it has become a standard alternative treatment for a variety of ailments.

Therefore, to reap the benefits of CBD, people are using it more every day, so it is becoming increasingly popular. Today, CBD is available in oils, tinctures, creams, lotions, vaporizers, and edibles.

To quell your curiosity, we have assembled various CBD benefits in this article. So, let’s dive right in!

 

Are CBD and Hemp the Same Thing?

The Farm Bill of 2018 made the cultivation of hemp legal, which also legalized CBD. Does this imply that Hemp and CBD are the same things?

Not really, but they are closely related!

Hemp or industrially derived hemp is a type of cannabis Sativa plant grown for industrial purposes. It has a low concentration of THC and a high concentration of CBD.

People worldwide use hemp for the production of commercial and industrial items like paper, textile, clothing, and biofuel. Besides, hemp benefits health by reducing inflammation and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

CBD, on the other hand, is derived from hemp. And just like hemp, it does not have any psychoactive effect. To sum up, CBD and Hemp both come from the Cannabis plant and provide a wide range of health benefits.

 

What Is CBD Used For?

CBD can treat various neurological disorders. These specifically include epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and headache disorders.

Furthermore, CBD helps eliminate lung, colon, and brain cancer symptoms based on animal research studies.

According to a 2016 study, CBD can also help treat acne due to its remarkable anti-inflammatory properties.

In addition to this, CBD has various benefits for the heart. For instance, one research found that CBD reduced heart failure in diabetic mice suffering from heart disease.

While researchers need to carry out additional human testing, we cannot deny the numerous uses of CBD in day-to-day life. For this purpose, we have compiled a CBD benefits list right below.

 

CBD Benefits

CBD is gaining popularity in the health, fitness, and beauty industry. Here are some of the physical and psychological conditions that may likely get better with CBD.

 

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that induces seizures. Seizures are brief pulses of electrical stimulation in the brain that alter the way it functions.

The use of CBD in treating epilepsy and other neurological disorders has been studied for a couple of years. In clinical trials, CBD was an effective treatment for seizures. Its outstanding anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects directly link to its neuroprotective function.

This was the reason that in 2018, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved EPIDIOLEX (CBD Oral Solution). Hence, Epidiolex became the first cannabis-based drug to be commercialized in the United States.

However, more research is needed in this area. Therefore, it is best to consult a health professional before taking any dose of Epidiolex for epilepsy.

 

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of brain disorder that slows down memory and the thinking process. As a result, the sufferer is unable to perform even the simplest tasks.

Several studies indicate the use of CBD for treating Alzheimer’s disease. But how does it happen? Let’s break it down.

TREM2 and IL-33 are two proteins that help the brain cells to remove dead cells and other waste from the body.

When plaque builds up in the brain, they infer with neuron signals and lead to the death of brain cells. At this point, both protein levels reduce in Alzheimer’s patients.

Animal studies show that CBD improves cognitive function, thus helping with Alzheimer’s disease.

 

CBD for Cancer

Among various CBD health benefits, one that stands out is its ability to alleviate cancer symptoms. In 2016, researchers found that CBD decreased the growth of tumors in animals.

Furthermore, the extracts of CBD may also stop cancer cells from multiplying.

Many people question the viability of these findings. Why? Because most of these experiments are conducted on animals rather than humans. Furthermore, the study is also in its early stages.

Although CBD cannot cure cancer, it does seem to alleviate the symptoms.

 

Heart Issues

You have a risk of heart disease if your blood pressure is constantly high. CBD oil depletes the blood pressure and the stress related to it.

A 2017 review study tested humans by exposing them to discomfort. When they received a CBD dose, their stress level decreased dramatically, thus reducing blood pressure.

In an animal study, rodents were given stress. This enhanced the blood pressure, and their stress increased simultaneously. However, after taking a dose of CBD, the rodents were less stressed and their blood pressure went from high to normal.

 

Acne Treated with CBD

CBD oil might help your skin fight against acne with its antibacterial properties. It destroys the bacteria that invade the infection site.

Besides, its anti-inflammatory properties block the development of inflammatory enzymes. Another notable factor of CBD is that it reduces the production of oil which might be causing acne in the first place.

A study conducted in 2014 shows how CBD oil is sebostatic, which means it blocks extra oil production on the skin.

In addition to treating acne, CBD oil might help you treat various other ailments related to your skin. Thus, keeping a bottle of CBD oil in your bag and using it often will give a refreshing and youthful glow.

 

Chronic Pain

Topical products such as lotions, creams, and oils of CBD help alleviate pain. Gently massaging on the affected area can relieve the pain and relax the pinched nerves and tensed muscles.

A study carried out on animals showed that CBD suppressed inflammation and pain.

CBD topicals essentially contain natural ingredients like herbal extracts, essential oils, and menthol, which relieve the pain and improve blood flow.

The enhanced blood flow boosts immunity and calms the mood. Therefore, you can enjoy multifold CBD benefits with the use of topicals.

 

Anxiety and Depression

While we cannot deny CBD health benefits related to physical health, the benefits of CBD for mental well-being are remarkably numerous.

Although anxiety and depression correlate with each other, they cannot be considered one. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America describes both mental conditions in detail.

A particular traumatic event might trigger sadness. However, when feelings of sadness and loneliness persist, you might be developing depression.

On the other hand, anxiety is a mental condition where a patient experiences phobias, panic disorders, and excessive worrying.

Both conditions make it challenging to go about the daily routine and even basic things like getting out of bed become tedious. As a result, people seek out solutions such as psychotherapy and medicine.

Human studies support the anxiolytic properties of CBD. Besides, its effects are similar to those of antidepressants. Therefore, if you have symptoms related to anxiety and depression, CBD tinctures would greatly help.

 

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the blood sugar levels of patients increase significantly. One of the critical issues you may face is reduced blood flow to the brain.

In one study, researchers tested CBD on mice with less blood flow to the brain. It was seen that the blood flow improved a great deal after the use of CBD. Therefore, CBD can be a useful treatment option for diabetic patients.

Though, it should be recalled that no direct human trials have shown CBD to be a diabetes cure. The benefit of blood circulation, on the other hand, can assist a diabetic patient in alleviating symptoms.

 

Panic Disorder

Panic attacks are unexpected symptoms of fear that occur when there is no real risk. You may feel as if you are losing control. Some common symptoms include:

• Breathing problems
• Pressure in the chest
• Weakness
• Sweating
• Numbness
• Hot flushes or cold chills
• Tingling sensation in hands and feet

Panic attacks come without an alarm and can happen anywhere at any time. When these attacks become a daily routine and inhibit your everyday life, it signals a panic disorder.

Serotonin and dopamine are two chemicals found in the brain that give us happiness and pleasure. If you are someone who has a panic disorder, these hormones will decrease a great deal. CBD works wonders in this regard, affecting the levels of serotonin.

This way, CBD hemp benefits a person with the panic disorder through its anti-psychotic and therapeutic effects.

 

PTSD

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health condition triggered by a past traumatic experience. Approximately 10% of people experience PTSD at some point in their lives. They might have gone through traumatic events like

• Childhood neglect
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Severe accident
• Rape
• Losing a loved one
• Ups and downs in family life

In a 2019 case study, CBD proved beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of PTSD in rodent models.

Similarly, in 2019 trial studies on humans, CBD was found to be therapeutic for PTSD. If you have PTSD, you are likely to experience nightmares and negative emotions. These studies have, however, looked at CBD as a potential treatment option for such symptoms.

How Do I Use CBD?

There are plenty of CBD products out there, ranging from flowers, lotions, creams, capsules, tinctures to flavorsome gummies. You can rub them on your body, swallow them, drop them under your tongue or chew on them, respectively.

It is noteworthy that no matter what form CBD comes in, it is all derived from the cannabis plant.

If you’re wondering about its dosage, it varies from person to person based on their weight, body chemistry, and the severity of the disease.

If your weight is below 130 pounds, you can take up to 10mg. For a person above 130 pounds, a dose of 10-20mg will be ideal for a moderate effect. However, if you weigh above 230 pounds, a dose of 30mg would be great.

There isn’t a limit to the range of dosage you might follow. On the safe side, it’s best to consult a health professional.

 

Wrapping Up with Benefits of CBD

If you are a health enthusiast who looks for organic and herbal treatment options, CBD might be the right choice for you. It might not cure your ailment but will surely alleviate the symptoms.

Now that you know multifold CBD benefits, when are you going to get some?