CBD is steadily gaining in popularity and there is an enormous amount of anecdotal reports from people stating how CBD has helped them. While more clinical studies are needed, there are supportive studies that hint at the possible health benefits that the CBD cannabinoid can offer.
CBD oil, cannabidiol, CBD extract, marijuana, hemp… you have heard these terms before – and if you have been browsing for CBD online then you would have by now been inundated with these terms.
But, how many of these do you understand?
When it comes to knowing how to use CBD oil extract for health, the first step in using CBD oil is gaining an understanding of how cannabinoids work.
How CBD Extract Works
Have you heard of the Endocannabinoid system? Well, this system is an intricate network inside the body.
It consists of tiny neurotransmitters dotted inside the body and brain, like stars. There are millions of these neurotransmitters and they are a part of a communication system, performing as messengers between the brain and the immune system.
These neurotransmitters and receptors form what is known as the endocannabinoid system. As far as scientists and researchers can tell, all mammals have one. This is why animal studies are performed to research the effect of cannabis on the endocannabinoid system.
What the Endocannabinoid System Does
This network is responsible for the efficient working of all the bodily systems and functions. If there is an imbalance in the endocannabinoid system, this imbalance manifests as an illness, condition or symptom elsewhere in the body. This includes conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and even Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.
The endocannabinoid system can be understood as both a messenger as well as a transport system, ensuring that the correct endocannabinoids are transmitted and received across the body and brain.
How do the phytocannabinoids play a role?
CBD and other phytocannabinoids (a phytocannabinoid is simply a cannabinoid originating from a plant) are compatible with the body’s endocannabinoid system, with the neurotransmitters and receptors.
When CBD enters the endocannabinoid system, it plays various roles with the different receptors.
The main two receptors that have seen much of the spotlight in scientific studies are the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
These two receptors play an important role. They work to regulate the following critical systems:
- Sleep patterns
- Immune system and proper immune functioning
- Pain
- Mood
- Appetite
- Memory
- Cognitive processes
- And possibly many more
The importance of the endocannabinoid can be understood in one simple sentence: When your endocannabinoid system is healthy, your body is healthy too.
The functionality of CBD and the endocannabinoid system can also be simplified: The phytocannabinoid CBD assists your endocannabinoid system in achieving optimal health and balance.
Now that you have a decent understanding of how CBD interacts with your body’s health, here are 10 science-backed health benefits of CBD extract:
1. CBD Extract: the painkiller packing a powerful punch
There is a myriad of studies that show CBD holds great promise in reducing pain and inflammation. CBD is thought to be particularly effective in the treatment of pain that stems from inflammation.
This survey demonstrated that CBD is an effective pain reliever with minimal side effects. Additionally, the survey showed that the use of CBD as a pain reliever reduced the usage of opiate pain medication.
In human trials, cannabidiol lowered pain related to symptoms of the following conditions/diseases:
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
In 2006, one study using animals resulted in the following evidence:
- CBD is capable of lowering chronic pain
- The CBD was administered over a course of 7 days and showed the effectiveness of prolonged CBD administration
2. CBD extract can ease anxiety and depression
Serotonin, a chemical produced by nerve cells, regulates mood and CBD helps to regulate serotonin. This is why CBD is believed to be an effective agent in the fight against anxiety and depression.
In a rodent study in 2010, CBD effectively produced anti-depressive effects. These results were in conjunction with results produced by the pharmaceutical anti-depressant drug, Tofranil.
In a separate study in 2011, people that had taken a single CBD dose of 600 mg were able to overcome social anxiety.
More studies and surveys are continuously being performed and CBD is proving to be a popular treatment for many trying to overcome PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. You can find a list of studies here.
3. CBD Extract can Effectively Manage Psychosis
CBD was used as a treatment for psychosis in an animal and human study that spanned the course of 30 years. While scientists are still researching how CBD specifically works to reduce psychosis in patients the study did show that CBD was able to effectively interact with the parts of the brain connected with schizophrenia and psychosis.
4. CBD Extract can Reduce Chemotherapy Symptoms
In 2010, a study showed how CBD can lower nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. CBD is known for reducing neuropathic pain, with highlights CBD role in treating cancer-related pain. The cannabinoid is also known to be an appetite stimulant, sleep aid and also a mood booster- all of which can be beneficial in patients enduring chemotherapy.
5. CBD Extract as an Anti-Carcinogenic
CBD is an effective cannabinoid that has been seen to treat lung, colon, brain, breast and thyroid cancers. This study set out to review these claims and found that not only does the cannabinoid assist in the treatment of these cancers, it also possesses powerful anti-metastatic, anti-migratory, and anti-invasive properties.
In the study, CBD targeted cancer cells. Moreover, the cannabinoid did not damage healthy cells in the process.
6. CBD Extract as an Acne Treatment
CBD acts by decreasing sebocytes growth. Sebocytes are the cells that create the sebaceous glands that in turn extreme oils. Additionally, CBD was found to balance the production of oil in the skin. Furthermore, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties assist in reducing acne.
7. CBD Extract in Preventing and Reducing Seizures
Cannabis’s role in epilepsy and seizures have been a major cause for the recent interest in cannabis medicines. Both CBD and THC are used to treat rare forms of epilepsy. In many cases, the CBD is administered on a daily basis as a preventative medicine. The THC is in place for an emergency remedy in the case of a seizure.
8. CBD Extract to Help with Heart Health
Cardiovascular health also benefits from the use of CBD. CBD possesses antioxidant qualities as well as anti-inflammatory qualities, both of which play an active role in heart health.
CBD is able to increase blood flow (improve circulation) a 2017 study illustrated this by showing how CBD is able to lower blood pressure- a major cause of cardiovascular diseases.
9. CBD Extract can Assist in Reducing Addictions
There has been an increased interest in using cannabis in treating addictions. CBD shows promise in assisting in opioid cravings. CBD has been shown to be effective by breaking the cycle of addiction and it is also used as a way to manage withdrawals.
10. CBD Extract can Assist in the Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Research suggests that CBD is able to inhibit glutamate production. Glutamate is a compound that is usually the cause of many neurodegenerative diseases. In 2014, a study showed that CBD is a neuroprotector and is also able to repair damage caused by existing diseases.
Buy CBD Online
Current studies, as well as emerging research, suggests that CBD extract is an effective treatment for a variety of conditions and symptoms. While CBD has shown significant promise in treating a variety of conditions, it is recommended to first chat with a trusted healthcare practitioner.
Although it is simple enough to locate CBD oil products in a dispensary, the easiest way to purchase CBD products is to buy CBD oil online. All information on where the CBD was sourced is easily accessible and there is a larger range of products to choose from as well as many online discounts and offers.
