Five Possible Benefits of CBD Oils
Cannabidiol has been used as a natural remedy for many common ailments.
CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, is one of the over 100 chemical compounds that are known as cannabinoids. They are found in Cannabis Sativa, which is from the cannabis plant.
Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid that can be found in cannabis. This can cause the sensation of feeling “high” and is commonly associated with marijuana. CBD is not psychoactive like THC.
CBD is an appealing choice for those looking to potentially alleviate pain and other symptoms, without the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs or marijuana.
CBD oil can be made from CBD extracted from cannabis and then diluted with carrier oils such as coconut or hemp oil. CBD can also be nano emulsified and delivered using distilled water or vegetable glycerin which makes the CBD more bioavailable and more effective.
It’s rapidly gaining acceptance in the health and wellness world. There are some scientific studies that confirm it can reduce anxiety and chronic pain.
CBD Oil May Help Reduce Pain
Researchers have found that CBD and other marijuana components are responsible for some of the plant’s pain relieving properties. The endocannabinoid system, a system within the human body that controls sleep, appetite and immune system responses, is an important system. The body produces neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids that bind with cannabinoid receptors within your nervous system.
CBD, according to studies, CBD may reduce chronic pain by affecting endocannabinoid activity, inflammation, and interfacing with neurotransmitters.
One study of rats found that CBD injections could reduce the pain response to surgery. A second study of rats found that CBD treatments significantly reduced sciatic nerve pain.
Many human trials have shown that CBD combined with THC is effective for treating multiple sclerosis pain and arthritis. Sativex, a combination of CBD and THC, is approved for use in multiple countries.
Sativex’s effects on multiple sclerosis were examined in a study that involved 47 participants. The participants saw significant improvements in pain, walking and muscle spasms. Although the placebo effect could not be excluded, the study was conducted without a control group.
Another study concluded that Sativex significantly reduced pain during movement, pain when at rest, as well as sleep quality among 58 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
CBD Oil May Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety or depression can be a common mental disorder that can have devastating consequences on one’s health and well-being. According to The World Health Organization, depression is the most significant cause of disability globally, while anxiety disorders rank sixth.
Anxiety, depression, and agitation are often treated with medication. This can lead to side effects like agitation or insomnia, drowsiness and sexual dysfunction. Additional complications include the addictive nature of benzodiazepines, which can lead to substance misuse. CBD oil has proven promising as a potential treatment of anxiety and depression.
Brazilian researchers found in a 2019 study that 57 men had either received oral CBD or placebo before they were subjected to a simulated public speaking exam. The 300-mg CBD dose was found to be the most effective in significantly reducing anxiety levels during the test. The placebo, a 150mg CBD dosage, and a CBD 600mg dosage had little to zero effect on anxiety. CBD oil has been safely used to treat insomnia, anxiety in children and individuals suffering from post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). See Case Report
Numerous animal studies have shown that CBD can also be used to treat depression. These characteristics are due to CBD’s ability to activate the brain’s serotonin receptors, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates moods and social behavior.
CBD Oils May Alleviate Some Cancer-Related Problems
CBD may be able to help you reduce your symptoms and side effects associated with cancer treatment. One study examined THC and CBD’s effect on pain relief in people suffering from cancer-related symptoms. Both compounds were found to reduce pain in patients who received extracts that included both compounds. See Study Results
CBD may also reduce chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. There are many medications that can relieve these distressing symptoms. However, sometimes they are not effective which leads some people to search for alternative treatments.
A study of 16 cancer patients showed that CBD and THC in a 1 to 1 ratio were more effective than standard treatment in reducing nausea and vomiting during and after being administered chemotherapy.
CBD has been shown to have anti-cancer properties in some animal and test tube studies. One example is the one-tube study that found CBD to induce cell death in human breast tumor cells. Another study demonstrated that CBD could inhibit the growth of aggressive breast carcinoma cells in mice. These are test-tube and animal studies. They cannot predict what might work in humans. There are more human studies needed before we can make any definitive conclusions.
Can CBD Oils Help With Acne
Acne can be a common skin condition that affects over 9 percent of the population. It can be caused by many factors, such as bacteria, genetics, underlying inflammation, overproductions of sebum and oily secretion by the sebaceous skin glands.
According to recent scientific studies CBD oil may be able to help with acne treatment due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability reduce sebum production.
One test-tube study revealed that CBD oil prevented excess sebum from being secreted by sebaceous cell cells. Additionally, it exerted anti-inflammatory actions and prevented activation of “pro acne” agents such as inflammatory mediators. Another study reported similar results and concluded that CBD might be an effective and safe method to treat acne. This was due to its extraordinary anti-inflammatory abilities.
These promising results have not been confirmed by human studies. However, they do suggest that CBD may be a viable option to possibly treat acne.
Does CBD Have Potential Heart Health Benefits
Recent research has found CBD to have numerous benefits for the cardiovascular system and heart. It can also lower high blood pressure. High blood pressure is associated to higher chances of developing a range of health conditions like stroke, heart attack, metabolic syndrome, and other serious illnesses.
CBD has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure. One study that used 600 mg of CBD oil to treat nine healthy men found that CBD oil had a lower level of resting blood sugar than a placebo.
This same study gave men stress tests which can increase blood pressure. These stress tests showed that CBD gave men a single dose, which resulted in a lower blood pressure rise than normal. Researchers suggest that CBD has stress- and anxious-reducing properties which may explain its ability to lower blood pressure.
A number of animal studies also show that CBD may be able to reduce inflammation and cell deaths associated with heart disease. This is due to its powerful antioxidant properties and stress-reducing abilities. One study, for example, found that CBD treatment could reduce oxidative stress levels and prevent heart damage in diabetic mouse models with heart disease.
CBD Oil Conclusion
CBD oil is being studied to see if it can be used to alleviate symptoms of many common health issues such as anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease.
It could even offer a natural remedy for pain and symptoms in cancer patients. CBD oil’s potential health benefits are being studied. There will likely be new therapeutic uses of this natural remedy.
There is still much to learn about CBD’s safety, efficacy, and effectiveness, but recent research shows that CBD may be an effective, natural remedy for many health issues.