Who said only big pharma could cure your ailments? CBD products could work just as well. Here are 8 essential CBD health benefits you need to know.
CBD oil has become all the rage these days, and for good reason.
For years the legality of marijuana has been a black and white no-no. Because of this, research on weed, in general, was very limited for a long time. Now that the laws have become a bit of a grey area, scientists are able to more openly dissect this powerful, little green leaf.
What they have found is that cannabidiol, or CBD, has shown tremendous health benefits in multiple areas of the body, from the head to the toes.
If you are looking to improve your mental and physical health, it might behoove you to continue learning about this amazing cannabinoid. Ready?
Read on to learn 6 essential CBD benefits.
What Is CBD?
First off, let’s take a quick look at what CBD actually is.
The full name for CBD is cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is one of the hundreds of compounds found in the extract of the marijuana leaf, buds, and stems.
While CBD is associated with the marijuana plant, it is considered a non-psychoactive chemical. This means you won’t experience any loopiness, giggles, or high feeling. THC, on the other hand, is responsible for making you ‘high’. You can find CBD products with nearly any CBD/THC ratio.
So if you are not looking for the giggles, CBD is a safe choice.
Here’s the Science…
Once CBD has absorbed into your system, it works by binding with special receptors in your body called endocannabinoid receptors. Once it binds with these receptors, it is able to either encourage or prevent other chemicals from binding with such receptors.
For example, when you are in pain, your body sends signals to your brain with neurotransmitters. When you introduce CBD into your system, it prevents these neurotransmitters from binding with their receptors, preventing your brain from ever knowing you were even in pain.
Research has also shown that CBD doesn’t cause any analgesic tolerance, meaning you don’t need more of the substance for the same pain relief over time.
6 Essential CBD Benefits
Did you know that nearly 80% of adults experience back pain?
Did you know that nearly 3.4 million people in the U.S. alone suffer from epilepsy?
Did you know that more than 300 million people globally suffer from depression?
Did you also know that CBD has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of ALL of the above? Imagine a world where back pain, epilepsy, and depression didn’t exist. With CBD, this may actually be possible.
Let’s take a deeper look into the benefits.
Natural Pain Relief
We talked a bit about the science behind CBD pain relief, but we didn’t talk about the different types of pain relief CBD can help with.
First, CBD works to block neurotransmitting pain chemicals, but it also works to reduce inflammation, which is a major cause of back pain.
Multiple studies have also shown that a combination of CBD and THC oil works well to treat symptoms of arthritis. That’s right, tell grandma to light up.
Multiple sclerosis? There’s an oral spray called Sativex that’s FDA approved to treat “neuropathic pain, spasticity, overactive bladder, and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis.”
It’s an Appetite Stimulant
While this may not be an issue for all of us, some people have severe issues concerning lack of appetite.
Whether these people are suffering from eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia, or even suffering from cancer, lack of appetite can be a serious problem for them.
Many cancer patients find that using medical marijuana is the only thing that actually lets them get a healthy meal down.
Helps Reduce Stress and Anxiety
If 300 million people are depressed, imagine how many people are stressed and anxious?
Multiple studies have been done concerning CBD as a treatment for anxiety disorders, and the results have been pretty promising. CBD oil is considered a depressant (as opposed to a stimulant), meaning that it slows the body down, which can help reduce anxiety.
For more information on CBD for stress and anxiety, check out this source.
Helps Treat Depression
How many times can we emphasize that 300 million suffer from depression? Frankly, this is unacceptable, especially when we know that CBD is a fast-acting treatment for depression.
Other antidepressants present with several side effects, ranging from simply worsening the depression to giving full-blown hallucinations.
The same way that CBD works to lessen pain, it works to treat depression. Depression is a mental illness, caused by an imbalance in neurotransmitters. CBD helps to re-regulate these neurotransmitters, without all the nasty side effects.
Could Help Treat Acne
Scientists are currently studying the effects of CBD oil on acne. Based on a recent study, CBD oil works to prevent acne through its anti-inflammatory properties.
“Acne vulgaris affects almost 80 percent of adolescents and young adults, often persists well into adulthood, and can result in scarring and hyperpigmentation.”
Let’s Light Up
If any of the aforementioned ailments affect you, it might be time for you to give CBD a try.
CBD is available in so many different forms, like edibles, vapes, oils, lotions, bath soaks, and more.
TIP: Our favorite way to ingest CBD is in edible form. Brownies for pain relief? Yes, please! Check out our favorite recipe.
But no matter how you choose to enjoy your essential CBD, you can rest easy knowing your body is reaping all of the benefits.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for information and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to offer medical advice or reflect the specific views of the publication.
