Cannabidiol is picking up steam as a natural remedy. Better known as CBD, it is one among 100 chemical compounds that are found in the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa. It is a type of cannabinoid that doesn’t cause any form of intoxication or makes a person psychoactive like any other cannabinoid (for example THC). CBD oil is made from CBD extracted from the cannabis plant which is then diluted with a carrier oil like hemp seed or coconut oil.
Cannabis always remains in controversy because of its recreational marijuana use but looking at possible health benefits of CBD oil, it’s gaining momentum. Studies have confirmed that CBD may ease symptoms of certain ailments like anxiety and chronic pain. There are several scientific pieces of evidence that support the health benefits of CBD oil. Let’s explore them!
PAIN RELIEF OR PAIN MANAGEMENT
CBD oil is widely used to treat and manage pain as it affects your brain receptors. There is a specialized system in a human body known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that regulates a variety of functions including pain and immune system response. The Human body produces neurotransmitters, namely endocannabinoids. CBD helps in reducing chronic pain by affecting endocannabinoid receptor activity and interacting with neurotransmitters.
Studies have shown that CBD offers some benefits if taken after chemotherapy. NIH is also looking for its potential role in relieving symptoms produced by:
- Arthritis
- Chronic Pain
- MS Pain
- Muscle Pain
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Clinical trials on CBD are still going to find out its role in pain management.
REDUCE ANXIETY & DEPRESSION
Anxiety and depression are common mental disorders that have devastating effects on the health and wellbeing of a human being. Though there are several pharmaceutical drugs available in the market to treat anxiety and depression, these drugs have several side effects like drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, headache, agitation, and insomnia.
CBD oil has shown promising results when treated for both depression and anxiety. There is a chemical present inside your brain, named as serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood and social behavior. CBD oil for anxiety is believed to change the way the brain’s receptors respond to this chemical which is associated with mental health. Studies have also revealed that CBD may help relieve anxiety & depression by:
- Reducing stress.
- Decreasing physiological effects of anxiety, like an increased heartbeat.
- Improving post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
- Inducing sleep in insomnia patients.
Make sure you use only CBD oil to treat anxiety-related conditions. Any traces of THC can raise anxiety and have the opposite of the desired effect.
SUPPORT FOR CANCER PATIENTS
CBD has been found to reduce cancer symptoms as well as side effects of cancer treatment, like nausea, vomiting, and pain. In a recent study, patients who had undergone chemotherapy used CBD oil, they had experienced reduced side effects of chemo, particularly nausea. The majority of these patients also reported that CBD oil helped in reducing the discomfort and pain after chemotherapy.
Another study has shown CBD inhibiting the spread of aggressive breast cancer cells. This test was done in mice. So, it needs more human study to come to any conclusion.
FOR TREATING ACNE
Acne is a common skin condition that is considered to be caused by numerous factors, like bacteria, genetics, underlying inflammation, and the overproduction of sebum, which is an oily secretion made by sebaceous glands inside the skin. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD oil may help treat acne and can also reduce sebum production. Some test-tube studies have shown that CBD oil applied anti-inflammatory actions and prevented “pro-acne” agents like inflammatory cytokines from getting activated.
It is recommended to discuss any dermatologist before you consider CBD oil for acne treatment. In order to evaluate the potential benefits of CBD oil for acne, there is a need for more human studies to prove the associated facts.
POSSESS NEUROPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES
Scientists believe that CBD might prove beneficial for those patients who have different neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, spasms, seizure, and others. They believe CBD oil to work on the patients with these disorders considering the CBD’s ability to act on the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling systems.
In recent research made on CBD oil and its benefits for brain health, it has been found that CBD works by protecting the brain from diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. CBD prevents free radical damage and reduces inflammation. It not only protects the cells in the brain but also generates new ones. This is the reason why CBD is increasingly popular among patients suffering from seizures.
There are many studies that are still underway to find out whether or not CBD can benefit those suffering from epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. CBD hosts strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, which is believed to be a natural way to promote brain health. CBD could help in neurodegenerative disorders in which the brain and nerves deteriorate over time. CBD oil is widely being studied to treat patients with:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
More research is needed to completely comprehend CBD oil effects for neurodegenerative diseases.
OTHER POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF CBD Oil from CBD Labs
CBD is still under study for its role in treating different health issues other than those outlined above. These include:
- CBD has been proved beneficial for the heart and circulatory system, by reducing the high blood pressure.
- CBD may help patients with schizophrenia and other mental disorders as it reduces psychotic symptoms.
- CBD is also used in substance abuse treatment as it has been shown to transform brain circuits related to drug addiction.
- CBD has demonstrated anti-tumor effects and shown to prevent the spread of prostate, breast, brain, colon, and lung cancer in animals.
- CBD reduces the incidence of diabetes by 56% in animal tests.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that CBD oil plays a significant role in easing symptoms of common health problems like anxiety, depression, acne, and heart disease. It may even provide a natural substitute for pain and symptom relief in cancer patients. The studies suggest that CBD may provide a safe, potent natural treatment for many health problems.