CBD is all the rage these days. From CBD foods and power ups in your beverages, there are so many ways to consume CBD but did you know how beneficial it is? Here are 10 things CBD is good for!
1. Stress management
A daily regimen with CBD reduces your body’s natural stress response and stress hormones (bye Cortisol!).
Like a thermostat, CBD kicks in right when you need it, bringing you back into balance and a comfortable state. CBD helps our bodies and brain access and reduce the breakdown of important chemicals that we produce like serotonin and anandamide (a.k.a the “bliss” molecule). The result is a life filled with more joy and relaxation… and way less stress.
2. Reduce Pain and Inflammation
Both sublingual (under the tongue) delivery and topical use is highly effective for reducing chronic pain and inflammation. A 2015 study concluded that mice given topical CBD for arthritis had significantly less inflammation and pain signals after only four days without any side effects.
3. Improve Sleep
Get your zzz’s and feel rejuvenated. There are many ways in which CBD can support more restful and deeper sleep by reducing chronic pain, anxiety and other challenges that prevent us from a deep sleep. Further it can help reduce REM sleep disorder. REM paralyzes the body during sleep to prevent physical reaction to dreams.
4. Heal Without Habit
CBD is not addictive so keeping the same dose in your regiment is perfectly fine and encouraged. In fact, the more you use it, the better it works (pretty much the opposite of any addictive drug). Our bodies don’t build up a tolerance to the compound!
5. Mental Clarity
CBD is not psychoactive or psychotropic. Yes, it is derived from Cannabis, however it only contains trace amounts (or 0%) of the compound THC which is what has the altering effect. This means that it doesn’t get you high (or altered). Rather then getting you high, it heals, reducing stress, anxiety, pain and inflammation with complete mental clarity.
6. Can Help with Cancer Related Symptoms
CBD may help reduce symptoms related to cancer and side effects related to cancer treatment, like nausea, vomiting and pain.
One study looked at the effects of CBD and THC in 177 people with cancer-related pain who did not experience relief from pain medication. Those treated with an extract containing both compounds experienced a significant reduction in pain compared to those who received only THC extract.
CBD oil may also help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, which are among the most common chemotherapy-related side effects for those with cancer.
Though there are drugs that help with these distressing symptoms, they are sometimes ineffective, leading some people to seek alternatives. A study of 16 people undergoing chemotherapy found that a one-to-one combination of CBD and THC administered via mouth spray reduced chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting better than standard treatment alone.
7. May Reduce Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects more than 9% of the population. It is thought to be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, bacteria, underlying inflammation and the overproduction of sebum, an oily secretion made by sebaceous glands in the skin.
Based on recent scientific studies, CBD oil may help treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce sebum production.
8. May Have Neuroprotective Properties
Researchers believe that CBD’s ability to act on the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling systems may provide benefits for those with neurological disorders.
In fact, one of the most studied uses for CBD is in treating neurological disorders like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Though research in this area is still relatively new, several studies have shown promising results.
A study gave 214 people with severe epilepsy 0.9–2.3 grams of CBD oil per pound (2–5 g/kg) of body weight. Their seizures reduced by a median of 36.5%. One more study found that CBD oil significantly reduced seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome, a complex childhood epilepsy disorder, compared to a placebo.
CBD has also been researched for its potential effectiveness in treating several other neurological diseases. For example, several studies have shown that treatment with CBD improved quality of life and sleep quality for people with Parkinson’s disease.
9. Could Benefit Heart Health
Recent research has linked CBD with several benefits for the heart and circulatory system, including the ability to lower high blood pressure. High blood pressure is linked to higher risks of a number of health conditions, including stroke, heart attack and metabolic syndrome.
Studies indicate that CBD may be a natural and effective treatment for high blood pressure. One recent study treated 10 healthy men with one dose of 600 mg of CBD oil and found it reduced resting blood pressure, compared to a placebo.
The same study also gave the men stress tests that normally increase blood pressure. Interestingly, the single dose of CBD led the men to experience a smaller blood pressure increase than normal in response to these tests. Researchers have suggested that the stress- and anxiety-reducing properties of CBD are responsible for its ability to help lower blood pressure.
10. Bonus Benefits
CBD has been studied for its role in treating a number of health issues other than those outlined above. CBD is thought to provide the following health benefits:
- Antipsychotic effects: Studies suggest that CBD may help people with schizophrenia and other mental disorders by reducing psychotic symptoms.
- Substance abuse treatment: CBD has been shown to modify circuits in the brain related to drug addiction. In rats, CBD has been shown to reduce morphine dependence and heroin-seeking behavior.
- Anti-tumor effects: In some studies, CBD has demonstrated anti-tumor effects. In animals, it has been shown to prevent the spread of breast, prostate, brain, colon and lung cancer.
- Diabetes prevention: In diabetic mice, treatment with CBD reduced the incidence of diabetes by 56% and significantly reduced inflammation.
CBD oil has been studied for its potential role in treating many common health issues. So why not give it a try?
