What is CBD, and how does it helps the body?
Are you still confused about what CBD does to the body and the reason behind its popularity?
We at The Dope Lists have compiled some of the best ways CBD can help you.
The cannabis plant contains a substance known as cannabidiol or CBD, which is an essential part of medical marijuana. Unlike other components in marijuana like THC, which makes you “high,” CBD does not cause a “high” and therefore is a safe, non-addictive substance.
Cannabis has been a pain treatment component for as far as 2900 BC. According to an estimate, around 30 million Americans have used cannabidiol as a supplement. Almost 40% of them used it for its ability to relieve pain. It is extracted from the cannabis Sativa plant in oil form and mixed with hemp seed oil for consumption.
CBD comes in different forms, including extracts, oils, gummies, topicals such as creams, etc. It is also available as pills, capsules, vaping liquid, and mist sprays.
Studies have shown that it can be a cure for many diseases. Therefore it’s being heavily studied by researchers and scientists for its significant therapeutic attributes.
There may be some potential CBD side effects, such as:
– Drowsiness
– Nausea
– Fatigue
– Dry mouth
– Lightheadedness
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just authorized Epidiolex, the first medication produced from cannabis.
CBD may help with arthritis
Cannabidiol for arthritis is a great idea you should try!
Arthritis is a disease that causes tenderness and swelling in joints. And unfortunately, it has been the core reason for the disability of 58.5 million people in the United States alone.
The Arthritis Foundation says there is proven evidence of the product’s effects on people with arthritis. It further states that people who use CBD report significant relief in pain, reduced anxiety, and improved sleep.
A study conducted in 2017 found that CBD may be a useful treatment option for joint pain related to osteoarthritis.
Another study revealed that it has the potential to relieve pain and inflammation related to arthritis if applied topically.
Cannabidiol for heart health
CBD has some surprising advantages for the heart.
Researchers indicate that it may be beneficial for people with high blood pressure.
Cannabidiol is excellent for treating pain in people with prior heart attacks or strokes. It’s also a fantastic alternative to other medications that increase blood pressure and the chance of heart attack.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) says that CBD can help treat cancer-related symptoms. (read more here).
One of the solid reasons cannabidiol is considered so effective for cancer treatment is its capacity to reduce inflammation.
Several studies have even suggested that it can potentially stop the spread of cancer cells. It can also be suitable for treating side effects caused by cancer treatment, such as pain, vomiting, and nausea.
However, research is still in its early stages. Yet, more evidence is needed for using this product regularly for cancer symptom management.
If we can use CBD for cancer, it could be a significant step toward relieving our pain. We hope that future research will show progress in this regard.
CBD for anxiety and depression reduction
There’s some evidence that cannabidiol may help reduce stress and anxiety-related symptoms. Especially in those with cannabis use disorders.
A study was conducted in 2019 among 57 adult males. The study found that 300-600 milligrams of CBD significantly lessened anxiety symptoms.
Clinical evidence has proved cannabidiol as a successful treatment for several anxiety conditions.
Recently another study was conducted among 397 adults to assess their CBD effects.
The members received the product for different disorders such as mental health symptoms, non-cancer pain, neurological symptoms, and cancer-related symptoms.
The results were surprising. All of them experienced an improvement in their overall quality of life.
However, research is still going on cannabidiol’s effects on anxiety and depression-related symptoms.
Reducing chronic pain
Some reports from patients and case reports suggest CBD’s effects on chronic pain, especially chronic neuropathic pain. And it further means that some patients may even stop taking opioids because they were taking some CBD.
Another benefit of using this product instead of opioids for chronic pain is that CBD does not cause an overdose. Research shows that up to 1500 milligrams a day have been tolerated. However, taking massive doses could lead to some side effects of CBD.
Current research suggests that it can be helpful for back pain and nerve pain.
A small study was conducted in 2018 among 7 people who suffered from chronic pain after a kidney transplant. The purpose of the study was to evaluate cannabidiol’s pain-relieving effects.
The results surprised everyone. Except for one member, all six reported improvements in pain.
Sleep insomnia
Sleep is as necessary for the body as breathing. Research has revealed that CBD can support healthy sleep.
Although, another study showed that CBD sleep products are often mislabeled.
Evidence also suggests that hemp oil and cannabidiol can improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety.
They also found that it helps control stress hormones called Cortisol. When Cortisol level is high, it makes the body unable to sleep.
Cannabidiol may be beneficial for ADHD
ADHD, an abbreviation for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition that affects human behavior.
CBD has shown promise as a cure for ADHD. According to a study, people who took it showed a notable decrease of 68% in hyperactivity.
Another study showed that over 25% of people who use cannabis reported that they had significant relief from ADHD symptoms.
Some studies also indicate that adults who used more medical cannabis also used fewer ADHD medications and thus had lower ADHD scores.
So, should you try CBD for ADHD? We believe it could be a good idea.
CBD may help with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that impacts the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
Researchers believe that CBD has shocking results in treating people with multiple sclerosis.
A survey was conducted among 47 people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The participants took Sativex – a CBD-based botanical drug (read more here), for a month, and they experienced improvements in walking ability, muscle spasms, and pain.
CBD for reducing PTSD symptoms
PTSD is the abbreviation of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by experiencing any terrifying event.
A study conducted in 2019 showed that people with PTSD who took the product significantly decreased their symptoms.
Research also shows that CBD oil, applied to the skin effectively, may help with anxiety issues in a child.
The research was conducted from 2009-2011 among 80 patients to evaluate PTSD responses after giving them cannabis. The scientists revealed a 75% decrease in PTSD-related symptoms among patients.
Other potential benefits of CBD
Researchers believe that CBD may also help with the below-mentioned diseases:
– Diabetes
– Epilepsy
– Fibromyalgia
– Insomnia
– Reduce Acne
– Autoimmune diseases
– Migraines
– Treat seizures
If you have decided to use any cannabidiol products, consult your doctor about the dosage and the type of the product. “How much CBD should I take” is an essential question, and you should ask for an expert’s opinion.
Since CBD oil is considered a dietary supplement, the FDA does not regulate it. Therefore, the buyer needs extensive research to ensure the product’s quality and get it from a reputable source.
Some of the best CBD companies are as follows:
– Green Roads
– cbdMD
– Purekana
– Joy Organics
– Royal CBD
– FAB CBD
Besides so much evidence and extensive research, the studies regarding cannabidiol are still preliminary to some treatments.
Can you take too much CBD? Remember that every person is different. According to some studies, a dose of around 1,500 milligrams is well-tolerated by humans. But once again – consult with your doctor about the proper dosage.