Is CBD a new health trend or just a hype? Multiple studies suggest that this natural remedy can really help treat various medical conditions. This article explores X uses and benefits of CBD, according to research.
Over the last few years, CBD started to gain momentum in the medical community. Everybody is talking about it, including media, medical specialists, and most likely, your friends as well. You also have heard about Delta 8 THC for combat sports which is also a cbd product.
But what exactly is CBD, and what can it help with? CBD is a close cousin of THC. Both substances are active chemical compounds found in the Cannabis plant. However, unlike THC, CBD doesn't give the “high” feeling that marijuana is associated with. In other words, CBD doesn't have intoxicating or addictive effects. In fact, according to WHO, CBD does not have a potential for abuse, and that research has found no evidence of public health-related problems associated with its usage.
Now, CBD is pretty much everywhere lately, from skincare products to pet treats, gummies, or pills. In fact, most CBD products fall into five main categories: oils, pills, vapes, topical creams, and CBD edibles. Most CBD retailers, such as OrganicCBDNugs, provide a wide range of CBD products from these two five categories.
Advocates say that this natural remedy is helpful for medical conditions such as pain management, anxiety, and many others. And, although CBD isn't currently approved by the FDA, there are tons of CBD products on the market, and millions of users happy with its effects. You should also keep in mind that marijuana use may not be legal in some states, while others only allow its use for medicinal purposes. States like Georgia, for example, only allow use as CBD oil. If you’re looking to get a medical marijuana card in Georgia, expert doctors from Green Health Docs can help you with the process.
Speaking of effects, what exactly is CBD used for? Here are 5 uses and benefits of CBD:
1. Pain relief
One of the most commonly advertised benefits of CBD is pain relief.
Let's be honest, marijuana has been used for pain management for centuries now. So, it's no surprise that CBD, one active compound in the marijuana plant, also has pain relief properties.
Our bodies contain a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system, which regulates many functions such as sleep, appetite, immune system response, and pain.
According to studies, CBD can help reduce pain by impacting the endocannabinoid system in our body, reducing inflammation. For example, researchers conducted a study on rats and concluded that CBD injections helped reduce pain response to surgical incisions. Another rat study also suggested that oral CBD treatment helped reduce sciatic nerve pain and inflammation significantly.
Human studies also suggested that a mix of CBD and THC is effective in reducing pain related to medical conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In fact, an oral spray that contains a combination of CBD and THC is approved in many countries as a treatment for pain caused by multiple sclerosis.
2. Anxiety and depression
CBD is also often promoted for its benefits in relieving anxiety. Research backs up this claim as it suggests that CBD may change how your brain's receptors respond to serotonin, the happy hormone.
Anxiety and depression are two mental health issues that are usually treated with medications like benzodiazepines, which can have a wide range of side effects from drowsiness to agitation, insomnia, and even addiction.
Since CBD has been gaining attention from the medical community, several studies have shown that it may be a treatment for both anxiety and depression in a more natural approach and no side effects involved.
Several animal studies have shown that CBD can help relieve anxiety by reducing stress levels, improving symptoms of PTSD, and inducing sleep in insomnia cases.
3. Cancer-related symptoms
Research has also found that CBD may help with cancer-related symptoms such as pain, vomiting, and nausea.
Treatment for cancer, such as chemotherapy, can have very powerful side effects in cancer patients. But one study has found that CBD and THC, in combination, work best to reduce pain compared to THC alone.
Also, a small study of 16 people receiving chemotherapy treatment found that a mouth spray made of a mix on THC and CBD helped reduce chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting better than standard treatment alone. You can find some trusted medical information from CFAH.
But that's not all! Some studies have also analyzed the role of CBD in preventing cancer cell growth. Although research is still in its early stages, researchers found some promising evidence that the action of CBD may have the ability to moderate inflammation and change how tumor cells reproduce.
Read More: A Quick Guide to Sensible Medical Marijuana Use for Cancer Patients
4. Neuroprotective properties
CBD may also have neuroprotective properties thanks to its ability to impact the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling systems. It provides benefits to those suffering from neurological disorders such as epilepsy or multiple sclerosis.
However, this area of research is also still in its early stages. But, several studies have suggested some promising results. For example, Sativex, the oral spray that contains both CBD and THC, was found to be a safe and effective treatment that reduces muscle spasticity, which was resistant to pharmaceutical drugs.
Another promising study found that seizures of 214 participants who have severe epilepsy reduced by an average of 36.5% after being administered 0.9-2.3 grams of CBD oil per pound of body weight.
Also, researchers of one more study found that CBD oil helped reduce seizure activity in children suffering from Dravet syndrome.
5. Heart health
Research shows that CBD oil may also help with heart health and the circulatory system's wellbeing. Recent research suggests that CBD may have the ability to lower high blood pressure, a medical condition that can lead to more severe health problems such as stroke, heart attack, or metabolic syndrome.
In one study, researchers administered nine healthy men one dose of 600 mg of CBD oil each and found that the substance reduced blood pressure, compared to a placebo. In the same study, researchers gave the nine men stress tests, which typically increases blood pressure. The result was that a single dose of CBD helped the participants experience a smaller blood pressure increase than typically experienced in responses to these tests.
