What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is a popular natural remedy used for many common ailments. It is one of more than 100 chemical compounds present in the cannabis or marijuana plant (Cannabis sativa).
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid present in cannabis and causes the feeling of “high” often associated with marijuana. However, unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive.
This quality makes CBD an attractive option for those seeking relief from pain and other symptoms without the mind-altering effects of marijuana or certain medications.
CBD oil is made by mining CBD from cannabis plant and then thinning it with a transporter oil like coconut or hemp seed oil.
It is acquiring momentum in health and wellness, and some scientific studies confirm that it can alleviate symptoms of ailments such as chronic pain and anxiety.
Health Benefits of CBD Oil
Here are the health benefits of CBD oil backed by scientific evidence.
1 Relieves Pain
More recently, scientists have exposed that specific components of marijuana, including CBD, are accountable for its pain-relieving effects.
The human body contains a specialized system endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates various functions, including sleep, appetite, pain, and the immune system retort.
The body produces neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system called endocannabinoid.
2. It Could Reduce Depression And Anxiety
Anxiety and depression are shared mental disorders that can have devastating effects on health and comfort.
Depression and anxiety are usually treated with medications, which can cause several side effects, including sleepiness, agitation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and headaches.
CBD oil serves as a treatment for depression and anxiety, leading many people living with these disorders to be interested in this natural approach.
3. It can Relieve cancer-Related Symptoms
CBD can help reduce cancer-related symptoms and cancer treatment-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and aching.
CBD may also help decrease chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, among the most common chemotherapy-related side effects for people with cancer.
Although medicines help with these painful symptoms, they are sometimes ineffective, leading some people to seek alternatives.
4. Can Lessen Acne
Acne is a mutual skin condition that affects more than 9% of the population.
It is supposed to cause by several factors, including genetics, bacteria, underlying inflammation, and the overproduction of sebum, an oily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin.
Another study about organic CBD skincare products found similar results, indicating that it could be an effective and safe treatment for acne, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Have Neuroprotective Features
Researchers trust that CBD’s ability to act on the endocannabinoid system and other brain-signing systems may benefit people with nervous disorders.
One of the most deliberate uses of it is in treating neurological disorders such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Although research in this area is still comparatively new, several studies have shown gifted consequences.
Sativex, an oral spray containing CBD and THC, is a safe and effective way to reduce muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis.
6. Could Benefit Heart Health
Recent research has linked CBD to numerous benefits for the heart and circulatory system, including the ability to lower high blood pressure.
Hypertension has an augmented risk for several health conditions, including stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome.
Several Other Possible Benefits
CBD has been deliberate for its role in treating several health problems other than those described above.
Antipsychotic Effects: Studies Suggest it may help people with schizophrenia and other mental disorders by dropping psychotic indications.
Substance abuse treatment: CBD modifies drug-related brain circuits
dependence.
Antitumor Effects: In test-tube and animal studies, it has shown anti-cancer properties. However, it prevents breast, prostate, brain, colon, and lung cancer in animals.
CBD treatment compacted the incidence of diabetes by 56% and significantly Reduction of inflammation.
According to WebMD, researchers are still investigating the full range of CBD’s potential benefits. What is known so far is that CBD is an established treatment for certain forms of epilepsy, and early findings suggest it may also be helpful for various anxiety disorders.
Approved for Epilepsy
In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex—the first prescription medication containing cannabidiol (CBD)—for the treatment of two rare types of epilepsy: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The approval covers patients as young as two years old, and clinical studies showed that the medication significantly reduced seizure frequency compared to a placebo.
CBD and Anxiety
Research on CBD for anxiety is largely encouraging. A 2015 review reported strong evidence that CBD may help manage several anxiety-related conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Side Effects
Although CBD is generally safe, it can cause adverse reactions in some people.
Side effects seen in studies include:
Diarrhea
Changes in appetite and weight.
Fatigue
CBD interacts with various medications. Before using its oil, talk to your doctor to ensure your safety and avoid potentially harmful interactions.
It is particularly significant if you take any medications or supplements that come with a “grapefruit warning.” Both grapefruit and CBD interfere with cytochromes P450 (CYP), a group of enzymes for drug metabolism.
Is CBD Safe?
Side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. It can increase the blood level of the anticoagulant Coumadin and increase some other drugs in the blood by the exact mechanism as grapefruit juice. The primary safety concern of it is that it is marketed and sold primarily as a supplement, not a drug. Presently, the FDA does not control the safety and purity of dietary supplements. Therefore, you cannot be sure that the product you buy contains active ingredients in the dosage indicated on the label. In accumulation, the product may have other (unknown) elements. We also don’t know the most effective therapeutic dose of CBD for a particular medical condition.
Is Cannabidiol Legal?
CBD is readily available in most parts of the United States, although its exact legal status is evolving. All 50 states have laws that authorized CBD with varying degrees of restriction. While the federal government still contemplates CBD as the same class as marijuana, it does not routinely enforce it. In December 2015, the FDA relaxed regulatory requirements to allow researchers to conduct trials on it. Currently, many people get it online without a medical cannabis license. The government’s stance on CBD is confusing and depends on whether it comes from hemp or marijuana. The validity of it changes, as there is currently a bipartisan consensus in Congress to legalize the cultivation of hemp, which would make it difficult to ban it.
Bottom Line
The government has scrutinized some [CBD] manufacturers for wild and indefensible claims, such as CBD is a cure-all for cancer, but it’s not. We need more research, but it may demonstrate an option for handling anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. Without sufficient high-quality indications in human studies, we cannot determine effective dosages. Since it is mainly available as an unregulated supplement, it isn’t easy to know what you are getting. If you choose to try CBD, talk to your doctor, if only to make sure it doesn’t affect the other medications you’re taking.
