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Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is being explored as a popular alternative natural treatment for several medical problems. CBD is now a dominant ingredient found in hundreds of products used in various health problems ranging from pain, mental health issues, menopause, and even heart diseases and cancer. CBD use in lifestyle-enhancing products like energy boosters, sleeping aid, lubricants, and even sports-recovery balms is rapidly increasing.
CBD might just be right for you if you are looking for a natural aid for your health problems.
What is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-psychotic compound found predominantly in cannabis Sativa plants. Marijuana plants are grown to retrieve the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive compound responsible for ‘high’. It’s worthwhile to note that hemp plants contain more CBD while marijuana plants contain more THC. Since hemp plants contain more CBD, a non-psychotic compound, they are preferred by manufacturers and the health community for treating several health problems.
Medical Conditions Where CBD Holds Promise
Though CBD is looked upon as a miracle cure for many medical ailments, there are only a few conditions where scientific studies have been undertaken concerning CBD’s efficacy in treating medical conditions.
CBD Might Treat Insomnia
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A good night’s sleep is imperative for overall health and well-being. Experts recommend sleeping for a duration of 7 to 9 hours to feel rested. However, falling and staying asleep has become a challenge for many people.
As many as 70% of Americans have reported sleeping less than the recommended hours. Interventions like improved sleep hygiene, sleeping pills, and CBD oil as a natural aid for sleep and CBD products with additional anxiety-reducing compounds.
As per a 2019 study, people who consumed 300 to 600 mg of CBD oil had lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone that increases wakefulness and prevents people from gaining a restful eye. Moreover, preliminary studies support the use of CBD in treating insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness disorder.
CBD Might Help Relieve Pain
The cannabis use for treating pain dates back to 2900 B.C. Scientists have discovered that CBD has pain-relieving properties. Our bodies have a system called the ECS or endocannabinoid system. This system is involved in balancing various body processes like sleep, pain, and immune response.
Our bodies produce endocannabinoids, the neurotransmitters that attach to the cannabinoid receptors of the nervous system. CBD impacts the endocannabinoid receptor activity and interacts with neurotransmitters to reduce pain and inflammation in the body.
Several studies support using a combination of THC and CBD in treating painful conditions like multiple sclerosis and arthritis. Sativex, an oral spray, is approved in many countries to treat multiple sclerosis. A study on Sativex found that the spray considerably relieved pain during movement and rest and improved sleep quality in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
CBD Might Treat Anxiety and Depression
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Stress and depression are widespread mental health problems that can significantly impair your quality of life. As per World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, while anxiety is ranked 6th in the order. CBD oil as a natural intervention has shown promise in treating both depression and anxiety.
One study validated the use of CBD oil to treat sleeplessness and anxiety in kids having post-traumatic stress disorder. Moreover, several animal studies have suggested the use of CBD in treating depression.
The above efficacy of CBD in treating anxiety and depression rests on its ability to interact with the brain’s receptors for serotonin, a mood-regulating neurotransmitter.
Alleviating Cancer Related Symptoms
CBD can support cancer treatment by alleviating its symptoms and side effects like pain, nausea, and vomiting. As per a study, cancer patients experiencing pain got significant relief after receiving extracts containing CBD and THC rather than patients who were given just a THC extract.
Chemotherapy side-effects like nausea and vomiting were also reduced after dosing cancer patients with CBD. Besides alleviating cancer symptoms, CBD has also shown anti-cancer properties. An animal study showed that CBD arrested the spread of aggressive breast cancer cells in mice.
May Benefit Heart Health
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Recent studies have linked CBD benefitting the heart and the circulatory system. CBD can lower high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a primary contributing factor to stroke and metabolic syndrome. As per a research study, nine healthy men were given a single dose of 600mg of CBD oil, which reduced the resting blood pressure compared to a placebo. CBD is known to have stress and anxiety-reducing properties. These properties might help in lowering blood pressure.
CBD also has powerful antioxidant properties. This fact has been proven by many animal studies that showed that CBD considerably reduced inflammation and cell death related to heart disease, attributed to its antioxidant and stress-reducing capabilities.
Besides addressing the above health problems, CBD as a natural aid can come in handy in treating acne, diabetes, tumors, psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, neurological issues like epilepsy, etc.
Looking Ahead
Though there is an increased consumption of CBD as a natural intervention in treating various medical problems, scientific evidence is limited. If you want to use CBD for your physical or mental health problems, please talk to your doctor to make an informed decision.
