7 Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil

Cannabidiol or CBD oil is derived from Cannabis sativa, also known as hemp or marijuana plant. CBD is only one of the 100+ chemical compounds naturally found in this plant, collectively called ‘cannabinoids’. However, the CBD strains of hemp/ cannabis contain a very low amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the primary compound responsible for the psychoactive properties of marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t have any psychoactive properties and therefore does not produce a feeling of ‘high’. This makes CBD oil a good option for people who want to get the benefits of CBD while also avoiding the mind-bending effects of marijuana or certain other medicines.

With the passage of the Farm Bill, 2018 in the USA, it has become legal to sell many CBD products but the THC content should be less than 0.3%. This has led to an increase in both research work on the effects of CBD as well as in the demand for various types of CBD products. Several people report having experienced the therapeutic effects of CBD. Also, most people seem to tolerate the compound quite well and don’t show a lot of side effects.

“Our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) which regulates various functions like sleep, pain, appetite, and immunity is the main site for the action of CBD”, says Charlie Thompson, an expert cannabis botanist and the Chief Editor at Divine Hemps. “THC also binds to the CB1 receptors and helps reduce pain and anxiety. Moreover, THC and CBD work together to give the entourage effect where both their functions are enhanced”, he adds on. Following are some of the major possible benefits commonly related to CBD-

1. Can help reduce pain

It is common knowledge that marijuana has historically been used to treat back pain and thus it is no surprise that CBD also has similar properties. CBD interacts with certain receptors like opioid and serotonin receptors which may boost the production of endocannabinoids in the body and might help reduce pain. All types of pain like those resulting from muscle cramps and sprains can be relieved by it, making it ideal for sportspersons too. Also, the entourage effect of THC and CBD may help to alleviate the chronic pain associated with arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In fact, a commercial drug called Sativex (made by combining CBD and THC in a 1:1 ratio) has shown to have considerable pain-killer and anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Might help with epileptic seizures

The very first medicine containing CBD to ever get a green signal from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was Epidiolex. It was meant to treat 2 rarer types of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome (forms of drug-resistant epilepsy in infants and children). Though the exact influence that CBD has on seizures isn’t known, some studies have attributed it to the binding of CBD molecules with Transient Potential Vanilloid Receptor Type 1 (TRPV1) receptors.

3. May help with anxiety and depression

CBD can help fight two of the most common mental health issues- anxiety and depression. There are numerous pharmaceutical medicines available for treating these conditions but they generally have side effects like drowsiness, insomnia, irritation, sexual dysfunction, headache, etc. Some medications can even be addictive and lead to withdrawal symptoms later. CBD oil, on the other hand, is a safer option to treat these issues. A 300 mg dose of CBD was found to be the most effective in a Brazilian study. Serotonin receptors are thought to be playing a vital role in ensuring CBD’s effect on anxiety. The THC content also helps reduce anxiety by binding with the CB1 receptors.

4. Can reduce skin inflammation

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system present in our skin and gives anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. Skin conditions like acne, itchy skin, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and skin cancer may be improved by using CBD products. CBD has been seen reducing sebum production, thereby reducing acne.

5. May offer neuroprotection

In addition to helping with seizures and multiple sclerosis, CBD also seems to protect the neurochemicals responsible for reducing the psychotic symptoms associated with certain neurological diseases. Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease are some of the neurodegenerative diseases that can benefit from CBD use. This property of CBD is usually attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

6. Might be beneficial for the heart

CBD has the potential to lower blood pressure and thus can benefit high blood pressure patients. Since high blood pressure can result in heart attack and heart stroke, CBD indirectly reduces those risks too. Researchers believe this effect to be emanating from CBD’s anti-anxiety and antioxidant properties.

7. Could mitigate cancer-related symptoms

CBD may treat certain cancer symptoms like nausea and pain. The combined effect of CBD and THC help with pain while CBD alone can help reduce chemotherapy-related nausea. Additionally, there are studies showing possible anti-cancer properties of cannabidiol but these are animal studies. More research work needs to be done on humans to arrive at a conclusion.

Some other potential therapeutic properties of CBD are- addiction management, antipsychotic effects, diabetes prevention, etc. Future research work will shed light on these possibilities.

Side effects of CBD

Although it is generally safe to use, some people can have adverse reactions to CBD. Diarrhea, exhaustion, and anorexia are some common side effects. Also, take care to not overdose on CBD as it may lead to these side effects and can also cause dry mouth and nausea. Note that the dose will vary from person to person.

If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine for any health condition, consult your doctor before you take any CBD product. This is because like grapefruits, CBD also interacts with many medicines and changes the way they metabolize in the body. To avoid such harmful reactions, talk to your doctor beforehand.

Other CBD Products

Although CBD oil is very commonly used, it is not the only CBD product available in the market. Some other well known CBD forms are-

• Capsules
• CBD gummies
• CBD tincture
• CBD creams and salves
• CBD vape oil
• CBD cartridge

There is much more to know about this magical compound- CBD but we hope this is a good starting place.

References

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cbd-oil-benefits#other-cbd-forms

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_10

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1439/cannabidiol-cbd