7 Major Benefits of CBD Oil
It is likely that you have been hearing a lot about Cannabidiol (CBD) recently. However, if you are unfamiliar with CBD, you may be wondering what CBD oil is and why there is so much talk about the health benefits it can provide. Known better as CBD, cannabidiol is one of over 100 chemical compounds (known as cannabinoids) found in the Cannabis plant. Another of these cannabinoids is THC, which is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis that causes the high feeling associated with marijuana.
Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive and does not produce a high. In fact, most CBD products come from hemp rather than marijuana. Hemp has extremely low levels of THC, and many CBD products are THC free. However, consuming CBD oil can provide many of the health benefits associated with marijuana, making CBD an appealing option for those who want the health benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects. In fact, recent studies have shown that CBD oil can be used to successfully treat and prevent a variety of health conditions. Here are just a few of the health benefits that CBD oil can provide.
Reduce Pain
While marijuana has been used to treat chronic pain for centuries, scientists have discovered more recently that CBD is one of the main cannabinoids responsible for marijuana and hemp’s analgesic properties. It is believed that CBD helps to reduce pain by impacting the body’s endocannabinoid system, which can reduce pain and inflammation. In particular, a study conducted in Canada in 2007 highlighted the extent to which CBD could help to relieve pain in people who suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS). While studies continue to look into the efficacy of using CBD for pain relief, the results are already suggesting CBD oil can be an alternative to painkillers for many people suffering from chronic pain.
Reduce Acne
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD oil could prove to be an effective treatment to reduce acne. It is thought that one of the primary factors that contribute to acne is underlying inflammation and the overproduction of an oily secretion in the skin called sebum. It is then believed that CBD helps to reduce acne by reducing inflammation and by preventing sebaceous gland cells from secreting excessive sebum, as was highlighted in this test-tube study. While additional studies are needed to support this finding, early studies suggest that CBD oil could prove to be an effective treatment for chronic acne.
Relieve Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health disorders, and they can cause debilitating symptoms for millions of people. While anxiety and depression can be treated with pharmaceutical drugs, these medications can cause a variety of harsh side-effects such as drowsiness, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction, and for many people, these drugs do not always work. However, new studies are showing that CBD could provide an alternative treatment, and much needed relief, for these patients. In particular, evidence shows that CBD can be particularly useful at treating people with social anxiety by reducing the stress they feel in social situations. CBD oil is also showing promise as a treatment for pediatric anxiety patients who may not be able to take traditional antidepressants. If you or a loved one suffers from anxiety, depression, or another mood disorder, you may be surprised by the extent to which CBD oil could help.
Treat Schizophrenia
Not only can CBD help treat anxiety and depression, but it has also been shown to have antipsychotic properties, making it a potential treatment for schizophrenia. A study from Germany suggests that CBD can help to reduce the psychotic symptoms associated with schizophrenia including hallucinations and delusions. CBD use has also been shown to help prolong periods of remission between schizophrenic episodes, which resulted in overall clinical improvement in patients who participated in the test study.
Lower Blood Pressure
Recent studies are also showing promising results for the use of CBD oil to improve heart health and reduce blood pressure. Unfortunately, high blood pressure is a growing problem, and when left untreated it can lead to a stroke or heart attack. However, studies indicate that CBD oil can significantly reduce both resting and active blood pressure. It is believed that CBD helps lower blood pressure due to its stress and anxiety-reducing properties, as stress and anxiety can both increase blood pressure.
Treat Epilepsy
Studies have also begun to look into the possible benefits CBD oil could provide as a treatment option to prevent seizures in patients with epilepsy. While THC has also been shown to have antiepileptic properties, CBD oil is a popular alternative treatment option for patients who suffer from childhood epilepsy as it can provide the same antiepileptic properties without the psychoactive effects. It is even believed that CBD could help provide relief to patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy, and studies are beginning to look into the efficacy of using CBD as a treatment option in these patients.
Relieves Nausea
CBD can also prove to be a great alternative treatment for patients who suffer from chronic nausea and vomiting. In fact, cannabis has been used for centuries as a natural nausea suppressant, but recent research has begun to highlight CBD as the primary cannabinoid that helps to provide this nausea relief. Using CBD oil for nausea relief is particularly popular among people who suffer from chronic nausea as a result of medications they are taking (such as antidepressants), or due to medical treatments they are undergoing like chemotherapy and radiation, as CBD oil can provide natural relief without interacting with their medications and treatments. In fact, CBD oil is particularly popular amongst cancer patients as it has been shown to reduce the nausea, pain, and depression associated with cancer and cancer treatment.
As more research is conducted into the uses of CBD oil, scientists are continuing to discover more health benefits that it can provide. In fact, we have only been able to touch upon a few of the uses of CBD oil here. Contact us to learn more about the amazing benefits CBD oil can provide you with.
