Cannabidiol, or CBD, is quickly becoming the nation’s hottest wellness trend. Although there were relatively few studies looking at the effects of CBD on humans had been conducted before the 2018 Farm Bill made the sale and production of hemp and hemp-based products legal, people still flocked to buy products like CBD oils and CBD arthritis cream. Now that hemp has been federally legalized in all 50 states; it is easier for researchers to examine new ways that CBD can benefit your physical and mental health.
1. Pain relief
The recorded use of the cannabis plant to treat aches and pains can be traced to 2900 BCE in ancient China. The presence of CBD, a safe and non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, is now believed to be responsible for much of the plant’s pain-relieving abilities.
Some studies have shown that the use of CBD can inhibit or reduce chronic pain by interacting with certain neurotransmitters in the body as well as interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Although studies are still being conducted on the quantifiable effects of CBD on humans with regard to pain relief, studies completed on rodents show that CBD injections reduced pain response to a surgical incision, as well as finding that ingesting CBD led to significantly less sciatic inflammation and nerve pain.
Other studies around the world conducted on humans have concluded that a combination of CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive component of cannabis that is not yet legal at the federal level in the United States) can be effective in mitigating symptoms of multiple sclerosis and arthritis. This study was conducted using an oral spray called Sativex, which includes both CBD and THC. This drug is approved in multiple countries around the world and designed to treat pain associated with multiple sclerosis.
If you are struggling with chronic pain from arthritis, a sports injury, or another source, try a topical CBD cream for pain that is located in one specific area of the body and consider ingesting CBD oil for a more full-body pain relieving effect.
2. Relief of anxiety symptoms
Although CBD does not produce a “high” because of its lack of psychoactivity, it can create a relaxing effect that people struggling with anxiety and depression have said can improve their mental health in the short term. Anxiety and depression themselves are becoming better understood by doctors around the world, and the World Health Organization has stated that depression is the leading contributor to disability worldwide.
CBD can activate the brain’s serotonin receptors, which is a neurotransmitter that can make people feel happier and more relaxed. People who have depression often have trouble producing the amount of serotonin present in the brains of neurotypical people.
Preliminary studies on humans regarding anxiety and CBD have demonstrated the positive effects CBD can have on people with depression and anxiety. Other studies on animals have yielded similar results as well.
3. Heart health
Some studies have linked CBD with lower blood pressure, which could help many aging people live healthier lifestyles. High blood pressure is linked to conditions like strokes, metabolic syndrome, and heart attacks. If CBD can be used as a tool to combat high blood pressure, this could be a breakthrough concerning the prevention of these conditions.
The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD are being investigated by researchers for their ability to prevent the conditions that can lead to heart disease. These studies are still in their early stages of performance on animals, but once more research is done on humans, more conclusive proof will be available.
Final thoughts
CBD has also been proven to be effective in helping veterans who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, reducing skin conditions like eczema, dryness, and hormonal acne, and many other different issues. As more research is conducted, scientists will be able to state for sure the list of health benefits CBD can provide.
