Cannabidiol also referred to as CBD, is a non-psychotic compound extracted from the cannabis Sativa plants. The cannabinoids of CBD offer support to our bodies’ natural inflammatory functions. Many research studies and anecdotal reports have ensued to gauge the safety and tolerability of CBD. Though used as a recreational drug, CBD is explored today as an alternative treatment for various health ailments. Let us explore 5 potential health benefits of using CBD.
Health Benefits of CBD
Today, CBD is looked upon as a ‘wonder drug’ that can potentially treat many medical conditions. CBD is now an active substance found in numerous products. These CBD-infused products can potentially treat various medical problems ranging from pain, mental health issues, menstrual issues, and even cancer and heart diseases.
1. Pain Relief
CBD as a panacea for relieving pain has been used since ancient periods. As early as 2900 B.C, CBD was used to treat painful conditions. Today, scientists have carried out various research studies to gauge the pain-relieving potential of CBD in treating painful conditions like arthritis and multiple sclerosis. An overwhelming 62% of people who consume CBD for medical ailments use it for chronic pain, joint pain, and arthritis.
Our bodies have a specialized endocannabinoid system that helps to balance various bodily functions like sleep, immune response, and pain. Our bodies produce endocannabinoids that act as neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters then attach to the nervous systems’ cannabinoid receptors.CBD influences the endocannabinoid receptor activity. It interacts with the neurotransmitters to alleviate pain and inflammation in the body.
CBD can be ingested as topicals and vaping products. However, chewing CBD edibles is a convenient way to reap its pain-reducing benefits. Chill gummies are the most popular form of CBD edibles that you can buy. Produced from Industrial Hemp plants, these chill gummies are broad-spectrum CBD extracts. You can buy chill gummies from online stores and even from cannabis dispensaries near you.
2. For Treating Mental Health Disorders
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Mental health problems are increasing at an alarming level. Issues like anxiety and depression are spreading like an epidemic in this modern-day world plagued by today’s unhealthy lifestyle patterns. The World Health Organisation (WHO) designates depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, and anxiety closely follows in the order. CBD is a potent natural intervention showing promise in treating such mental health conditions. Moreover, many studies support the efficacy of CBD in treating depression and anxiety.
Cannabinoid as CBD oil is also used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) conditions like sleeplessness and anxiety. This is substantiated by a study conducted on children who have PTSD. CBD can react with the brain’s receptors for the mood-regulating serotonin, a neurotransmitter. This mood-altering and enhancing propensity of CBD likens it to treat a broad spectrum of mental health conditions.
3. Treating Sleeplessness
A good 7 to 9 hours of sleep is necessary for proper daytime functioning. However, many people have chronic insomnia and find it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Furthermore, a modern-day fast-paced lifestyle increases stress levels which further aggravates this condition. About 70% of Americans sleep less than the recommended periods of sleep. Conventional treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and sleeping aids are the mainstays in treating insomnia. However, today many individuals are turning to CBD as a natural aid for sleeplessness.
In a 2019 study, participants who took 300 to 600 mg of CBD oil reported reduced cortisol levels, a stress hormone linked to wakefulness, preventing people from falling asleep. The efficacy of CBD in treating insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness disorder, and other sleep-related issues is now substantiated by some preliminary studies.
4. Helps Ease Menopausal Symptoms
For the unversed, a woman enters menopause when she goes without a menstrual cycle for 12 months. A woman usually reaches the menopause stage between ages 45 to 50. Many women during this stage might experience hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue, and even mental health disorders. Ovulation completely stops, and estrogen levels are at an all-time low. It is interesting to note that estrogen plays a significant role in the breakdown of certain endocannabinoids. Cannabis can imitate such endocannabinoids. They bind and interact with the receptors of the brain and the immune system. So, we can surmise that cannabinoid intervention as part of a supervised treatment plan might relieve menopausal symptoms.
5. Alleviating Cancer Related Symptoms
CBD can offer support to cancer patients by reducing common cancer symptoms and side effects like pain, vomiting, and nausea. In a scientific study, cancer patients felt pain-relief after being given extracts containing CBD and THC rather than those patients who were only administered a THC extract.
CBD also exhibits anti-cancer properties. An animal study showcased the efficacy of CBD in preventing the spread of malignant breast cancer cells in mice.
Looking Ahead
Though the use of CBD as a natural intervention holds promise in terms of its health benefits, scientific research regarding its efficacy is still in its infancy. Moreover, though considered a non -psychotic compound, CBD can have side effects such as fatigue, digestive problems, and dry mouth.
So, if you are looking to consume CBD for some health problem, we advise you to talk to your treating physician to arrive at an informed decision.
References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hemp-cbd-vs-cannabis-cbd#summary
