Cannabis had been used some centuries ago for both therapeutic and religious purposes. Due to its addictive and mind-altering properties, its use was outlawed globally.
It was not until a few years ago that some countries began opening its doors to medical cannabis use, thanks to cannabidiol (CBD) oil extraction. CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two main compounds of the cannabis sativa plant. The former has no psychoactive properties and is extracted mainly from hemp rather than marijuana. THC on the other hand is popular for its edibles, as they are easy to share with friends and give people that high they are looking for
- CBD use and pain management
Pain relief is still the most predominant reason why physicians prescribe CBD to patients suffering from chronic pain.
Opioid painkillers, which have been the traditional go-to medicine for persistent pain, can be highly addictive. That being said, avid CBD users see the product as a natural treatment for severe pain and discomfort.
CBD generates pain-busting effects by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system,
deemed as a multi-functional biological mechanism responsible for managing the immune system, sleep, appetite, and, most of all, pain.
Human bodies produce neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids. Their main functions include transporting stimuli to the nervous-system-binding cannabinoid receptors. By taking CBD, your body may be less sensitive to chronic pain, including those triggered by serious illnesses, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis.
If you think that CBD may be the key to your health issue then a doctor’s visit and due diligence are required. You may want to subscribe to this site to brush up your knowledge.
- CBD may help fight inflammation
Long-term CBD use may reduce the risk of inflammation. From a medical perspective, inflammation is not a bad thing. When you get wounded or injured, for instance, your body’s immune system rushes to protect your body from further harm and to accelerate healing. When you’re healed, the inflammation dissipates.
In some cases, however, inflammation persists as your body is exposed to constant stress, toxins, obesity, high sugar and blood levels, among other harmful things. Instead of protecting, healing, and returning back to normal, your body can no longer follow this normal process, and serious diseases may develop.
It’s suggested that serious cases of cardiovascular and neural diseases, as well as cancer may be triggered by constant inflammation in the body.
In mice, CBD was shown to help inhibit the release of inflammation-inducing compounds, according to a 2018 study. A separate study on these animals also revealed encouraging results on CBD use in the reduction of inflammation and nerve pain.
- CBD may help manage Epilepsy
In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of an epileptic drug. This, after years were spent studying the efficacy and safety of CBD use in humans specifically for this condition.
However, CBD use for epileptic patients is limited to two specific rare cases: Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndrome. Besides being rare, these conditions may be genetic, and their symptoms, including seizures, can be challenging to control with the use of other treatments.
- CBD may help protect your heart
One of the most promising benefits of CBD is promoting cardiovascular health. It’s thought that CBD may be able to reduce blood pressure. In a study with limited participants, 600 milligrams of CBD oil was administered to men who were later subjected to stress tests. The result? Men who took CBD oil experienced lower rates of blood pressure spike, as compared to the results they had without it.
As high blood pressure is the leading cause of major heart diseases, including heart attacks and stroke, researchers are in the opinion that the stress-reducing properties of CBD, complemented by its high antioxidant levels and anti-inflammatory qualities, may contribute to cardiovascular protection.
- CBD may help reduce risks of neurodegenerative diseases
Multiple sclerosis and epileptic seizures are considered neurological disorders, and CBD has shown promising results in easing their symptoms.
Relative to this, there have been some studies that show encouraging results about the potential neuroprotective attributes of this natural compound. A 2014 research has revealed that mice who were given CBD had better memory retention capacities. In humans, studies are ongoing in order to determine the compound’s efficacy in delaying or preventing the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers surmise that CBD’s interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system not only results in pain relief, but may have benefits to the brain and the nervous system.
Additionally, studies have also noted that CBD use among patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD) showed favorable results, encouraging better-quality sleep and enhancing the overall wellbeing of PD sufferers.
- CBD may help reduce anxiety and depression
Millions of people worldwide are suffering from mental health issues, and the numbers are rising. Of these conditions, anxiety and depression are the most common. The impact of these mental maladies varies in severity, with some being qualified as causing an impairment. CBD may offer a natural treatment for both conditions, although first time CBD oil buyers may need to wait until the results show.
Anxiety and depression are typically managed with the use of drugs. And, as you may have guessed correctly, synthetic medications can trigger a host of side effects, and may even set off substance abuse.
In fact, CBD oil has shown promising results in treating pediatric post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, like anxiety and insomnia. Researchers suggest that CBD may have a positive impact on your neurotransmitters, possibly generating the hormone serotonin, which is responsible for managing your mood, learning, memory, and social behavior.
- CBD may ease symptoms of cancer (and may even help fight it)
Apart from alleviating chronic pain triggered by cancer and its other related symptoms, such as those brought forth by chemotherapy, including body malaise, vomiting, and nausea.
In a promising development, CBD is also said to prevent the possible spread of certain types of cancer. The compound may be effective in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells.
A more recent article points out that chemotherapy medications are mixed with CBD to enhance the body’s immune system in fighting cancer.
The Bottom Line
Although more research is needed, CBD products are being viewed as a natural and complementary treatment for various conditions, including pain, inflammation, cardiovascular and neurologic diseases. The use of CBD is still limited these days, as the medical community continues to find out more about its potential benefits.
