The CBD industry is growing rapidly. In the U.S. alone, it’s projected to reach $16 billion by 2025. The plant extract has been added in cheeseburgers, toothpicks, and breath sprays – just a few of its many uses.
60 percent of CBD users have taken it for anxiety, according to a survey conducted by the Brightfield Group. Chronic pain and insomnia are why people are taking CBD, with depression coming up third place.
Kim Kardashian West, professional golfer Bubba Watson and Martha Stewart’s French bulldog are all fans of the product. When Kim was freaking out about giving birth to her fourth baby, she turned to it for help. The product is so soothing that even pro-golfer Bubba drifted off when using it! Martha used this same calming gadget on her dog because he gets stressed too easily by loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms.
So what is CBD?
The lesser-known child of the cannabis Sativa plant is cannabidiol. It has low psychoactive properties as compared to its more famous sibling, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The ancient use of CBD can be traced back to 750 B.C. and it was believed to have been first used medicinally or for rituals around that time.
Cannabidiol and THC are just two of the plant’s more than 100 cannabinoids. CBD may or may not be psychoactive, which is a matter of debate. While THC can increase anxiety, it is unclear what effect if CBD has on reducing this behavior. Furthermore, smoking high-THC Cannabis increases the risk for addiction as well as cravings. In contrast, recovery studies suggest that using cannabidiol could help reduce these incentives to use substances again in those with drug addictions.
Cannabis containing under 0.3 percent THC is hemp, but the FDA still oversees these products as food and drugs because of a clause in last year’s Farm Bill that legalized this type of Cannabis at a federal level while keeping them regulated by the agency responsible for protecting public health through the regulation and supervision of human pharmaceuticals or other substances intended to affect the body functions (i.e., foods/drugs).
What are the Benefits of CBD
- Pain Relieve
The ancient civilizations of China and India used marijuana as a form of pain relief for thousands of years, long before discovering that certain components in it allow CBD to relieve the body’s response towards pain.
The human endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for regulating sleep, appetite, immune function, and more—there are many functions within this biological network that can be activated with CBD use.CBD helps reduce pain by affecting endocannabinoid receptors. This reduces inflammation and interaction with neurotransmitters. Studies in rats have found both CBD injections and oral treatments effective against pain related to surgery, sciatic nerve damage, and arthritis. Human studies show a combination of CBD with THC is most beneficial for MS-related pain and neuropathic conditions like fibromyalgia.
A study on 47 people with multiple sclerosis was conducted to determine the efficacy of Sativex, a combination pharmaceutical drug containing THC and CBD. The participants reported improvements in pain levels, walking ability, and muscle spasms, but the lack of a control group limits the generalizability. Sativex, a drug derived from cannabis Sativa plants, significantly improves pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Participants reported improved movement-related and rest-related pain and better sleep quality after taking Sativex for 4 weeks compared with placebo treatment.
- Reduces Anxiety and Depression
A recent WHO report shows that anxiety and depression are the two most prevalent mental disorders in society. This means they can have debilitating results on one’s quality of life, causing them to miss work or school for extended periods.
In addition to the various side effects, pharmaceutical drugs for anxiety and depression can be addictive. These medications may also lead to substance abuse, so treatment needs to focus on therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to have lasting positive results.
CBD oil has been shown to have the potential to treat both anxiety and depression. This is because CBD can help reduce stress as well as regulate moods, which are two factors associated with these disorders. A Brazilian study was conducted on 57 men given either oral doses of 300mg or a placebo 90 minutes before being made to speak publicly. Researchers found that those receiving CBD experienced significantly less severe symptoms than their counterparts.
CBD oil has been shown to help with insomnia and treat anxiety in children who have PTSD. CBD can act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin which regulates mood and social behavior. These qualities make CBD an antidepressant-like drug that can be used safely even by young people who suffer from mental health issues like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Can Reduce Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects more than 9% of the population. It is thought to be caused by genetics, bacteria, underlying inflammation, and the overproduction of sebum, all of which are factors in treating acne. CBD oil may help treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce sebum production. In a study, CBD oil stopped the cells of the sebaceous gland from secreting excess oil. It wielded an anti-inflammatory action by preventing the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines (the agents that cause inflammation) while also wielding an antioxidant effect on oxidative stress caused when excess free radicals build up in your system.
- Neurological Properties
Most medical researchers are of the belief that CBD’s ability to activate the natural endocannabinoid system of the body and other brain warning systems may benefit those with neurological disorders.
This is because several studies have shown promising results in treating epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, etcetera. Sativex, a spray consisting of both THC and CBD, has been found to be not only safe but also an effective way for people with multiple sclerosis who are experiencing muscle spasticity that is resistant to medications. In one study, the use of Sativex reduced abnormal movements in 75% of 276 participants suffering from this condition.
CBD oil has been said to reduce seizures in patients with epileptic conditions like Dravet syndrome by 36.5% on average, according to another recently published study. Furthermore, this paper also found that CBD oil majorly decreased seizures in children who have uncontrolled epilepsy compared to a placebo group of participants who did not receive any treatment at all.
Although the studies both showed promising results for CBD’s effects on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, some participants experienced adverse reactions such as fatigue or convulsions.
The potential benefits of treating diseases like Parkinson’s with CBD have also been studied in other neurological conditions. For example, a study from 2017 demonstrated that treatment with CBD helped improve quality of life and sleep issues in patients who have Parkinson’s disease.
- Potential Health Benefits
CBD, the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants, can be used to lower high blood pressure. CBD has been linked with benefits for heart and circulatory health, including reducing inflammation throughout the body, which is known to reduce high blood pressure. Other research shows that cannabinoids like CBD have anti-inflammatory properties making them even more effective at lowering autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, where systemic inflammation occurs. CBD oil might help lower blood pressure for healthy men.
One study tested this by treating nine healthy male participants with a dose of 600 mg CBD and watching their resting blood pressures before stress tests that typically increase them compared to placebo. The researchers noted the test subjects had much smaller increases than usual during these procedures following one single dosage of CBD.
CBD has been found to lower blood pressure and help protect the heart by reducing inflammation. CBD also possesses stress-reducing properties, which are likely responsible for its ability to reduce anxiety and potentially improve one’s mood or disposition.
Do CBDs have Side Effects?
Although CBD is usually well accepted and safe, it may cause adverse reactions in some people. Side effects observed in studies are fatigue, changes in appetite, weight and diarrhea. CBD oil has been observed to interact with many medications. Before you start using CBD, discuss it with your doctor and ensure the safety of yourself and others by avoiding potentially harmful interactions.
Conclusion
CBD oil, a non-psychoactive compound extracted from the cannabis plant, has been studied for its potential role in easing symptoms of many common health issues. CBD oil may help ease anxiety and depression and skin conditions such as acne and heart disease. Research on the potential health benefits of CBD oil is ongoing, and there are many unanswered questions. However, recent studies suggest that it may provide a safe treatment for several conditions like anxiety or chronic pain.