CBD Oil Benefits and Uses

CBD Oil Benefits and Uses

Cannabidiol is a popular natural remedy used to treat many common ailments.

Better known as CBD, it is one of the 100 chemical compounds found in the hemp or marijuana plant, known as cannabinoids.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, causes the feeling of "high" that is often associated with cannabis. 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 drugs.

CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the hemp plant and diluting it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or hemp seed oil.

It's gaining momentum in the health and wellness space, with some scientific studies confirming that it can relieve symptoms of conditions like chronic pain and anxiety.

Here are seven health benefits of CBD oil backed by scientific evidence.

1. Can relieve pain

Cannabis has been used to treat pain as far back as 2900 BC.

Recently, scientists have discovered that certain components of cannabis, including CBD, are responsible for its pain-relieving effects.

The human body contains a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in regulating a variety of functions, including sleep, appetite, pain, and immune system response).

The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system.

Research suggests that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by affecting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation, and interacting with neurotransmitters. ).

For example, one rat study found that CBD injections reduced pain responses to surgical incisions, while another rat study found that oral CBD treatment significantly reduced sciatic nerve pain and inflammation).

2. May Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are common mental health disorders that can have devastating effects on health and well-being.

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the single largest cause of disability worldwide, while anxiety disorders rank sixth.

Anxiety and depression are often treated with medications, which can cause a number of side effects, including drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and headaches.

What's more, benzodiazepines can be addictive and can lead to substance abuse.

CBD oil has shown promise as a treatment for depression and anxiety, leading many people with these conditions to become interested in this natural approach.

In a Brazilian study, 57 men received oral CBD 90 minutes before taking a simulated public speaking test. The researchers found that the 300 mg dose of CBD was the most effective at significantly reducing anxiety during the test.

A placebo, a 150 mg dose of CBD, and a 600 mg dose of CBD had little effect on anxiety.

CBD oil has even been used to safely treat insomnia and anxiety in children with PTSD.

CBD has also shown antidepressant-like effects in several animal studies.

These qualities are linked to CBD’s ability to act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior.

3. May relieve cancer-related symptoms

CBD may help reduce cancer-related symptoms and side effects associated with cancer treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, and pain.

One study looked at the effects of CBD and THC on 177 patients with cancer-related pain not relieved from pain medication.

Patients treated with extracts containing both compounds had significantly less pain than patients who received THC extracts alone. CBD may also help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, one of the most common chemotherapy-related side effects in cancer patients. While there are medications that can help relieve these distressing symptoms, they are sometimes ineffective, leading some people to seek alternatives.

A study of 16 people undergoing chemotherapy found that a one-for-one combination of CBD and THC administered via an oral spray reduced chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting more than standard treatment alone. Some test-tube and animal studies even suggest that CBD may have anti-cancer properties. For example, a test-tube study found that concentrated CBD induced cell death in human breast cancer cells.

Another study showed that CBD inhibited the spread of aggressive breast cancer cells in mice. However, these are test tube and animal studies, so they can only suggest what might work in humans. More research in humans is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

4. Can reduce acne

Acne is a common skin disorder affecting more than 9% of the population.

It is thought to be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, bacteria, underlying inflammation, and overproduction of sebum, an oily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin.

According to recent scientific research, CBD oil may help treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce sebum production.

A test-tube study found that CBD oil prevented sebocytes from producing excess sebum, exerted anti-inflammatory effects and prevented the activation of "acne-promoting" factors such as inflammatory cytokines.

Another study had similar findings, concluding that CBD may be an effective and safe treatment for acne, in part due to its remarkable anti-inflammatory properties.

While these results are promising, human studies exploring the effects of CBD on acne are still needed.

5. May have neuroprotective properties

Researchers believe that CBD's ability to act on the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling systems may offer benefits to patients with neurological disorders.

In fact, one of the most researched uses of CBD is in the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. While research in this area is relatively new, some studies have shown promising results.

One study found that CBD reduced spasticity in 75% of 276 patients with multiple sclerosis whose muscle spasms were resistant to the drug.

Another study had 214 people with severe epilepsy consume 0.9-2.3 grams of CBD oil per pound of body weight (2-5 grams/kg). They had a 36.5 percent reduction in seizures.

Another study found that CBD oil significantly reduced seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome, a complex childhood epilepsy disorder, compared to pharmaceuticals.

It's worth noting, however, that some people in both studies experienced adverse effects associated with CBD treatment, such as convulsions, fever, and fatigue.

CBD has also been studied for its potential effectiveness in treating several other neurological conditions.

For example, several studies have shown that CBD treatment improves quality of life and sleep in people with Parkinson's disease.

Additionally, animal and test-tube studies have shown that CBD can reduce inflammation and help prevent neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease.

In a long-term study, researchers gave CBD to mice with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease and found that it helped prevent cognitive decline.

6. Good for Heart Health

Recent research has linked CBD to several heart and circulatory benefits, including the ability to reduce high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is associated with a higher risk of many health conditions, including stroke, heart attack and metabolic syndrome.

Research suggests that CBD may help treat high blood pressure.

A recent study treated nine healthy men with a 600 mg dose of CBD oil and found it lowered resting blood pressure compared to a placebo.

The same study also administered stress tests to men who typically had increased blood pressure. Interestingly, in these tests, a single dose of CBD caused a smaller than normal increase in blood pressure in the men.

Researchers believe that CBD's stress- and anxiety-reducing properties are why it helps lower blood pressure.

Additionally, several animal studies suggest that CBD may help reduce inflammation and cell death associated with heart disease due to its powerful antioxidant and stress-reducing properties.

For example, one study found that treatment with CBD reduced oxidative stress and prevented heart damage in diabetic mice with heart disease. ).

7. Other potential benefits

CBD has been studied for its role in treating many health problems besides those mentioned above.

While more research is needed, CBD is thought to provide the following health benefits:

Antipsychotic Effects: Studies have shown that CBD may help people with schizophrenia and other mental disorders by reducing psychotic symptoms.

Substance Abuse Treatment: CBD has been shown to alter circuits in the brain associated with drug addiction. In rats, CBD has been shown to reduce morphine-dependent and heroin-dependent behaviors.

Anti-tumor effects: CBD has been shown to have anti-tumor effects in test-tube and animal studies. In animals, it has been shown to prevent the spread of breast, prostate, brain, colon and lung cancers.

Diabetes Prevention: In diabetic mice, CBD treatment reduced the incidence of diabetes by 56% and significantly reduced inflammation.