Even as the knowledge of marijuana’s medicinal value is spreading across the world, more and more states in the US are legalizing its use. And with that, a product called CBD oil is also gaining popularity as a therapeutic drug to naturally cure health issues like anxiety, insomnia, and even cancer.
So, before we explain the benefits of CBD oil in detail, let’s first understand what CBD really is.
Even as the knowledge of marijuana’s medicinal value is spreading across the world, more and more states in the US are legalizing its use. And with that, a product called CBD oil is also gaining popularity as a therapeutic drug to naturally cure health issues like anxiety, insomnia, and even cancer.
What is CBD Oil & its extraction
CBD or Cannabidiol is one of the 104 chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, found in the cannabis plant, which belongs to the Cannabis sativa species. CBD is a non-intoxicating component of the plant and is believed to have many therapeutic effects on the human body and mind.
Since CBD is a non-psychoactive component, CBD oil does not cause a “high” or the euphoric sensation that is generally associated with cannabis or marijuana. CBD oil has no or negligible traces of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol – another compound found in the plant), which is indeed a psychoactive cannabinoid and is responsible for the famous marijuana high.
Cannabidiol is extracted from cannabis or hemp (plants, both belonging to the Cannabis Sativa family) and diluted with a carrier oil like coconut oil or hemp seed oil to create CBD oil. Due to controversies surrounding the cannabis plant, industrial-grade CBD is extracted from hemp (another plant that falls under the Cannabis Sativa species), as it has less than 0.3% THC.
Manufacturers sell CBD oils in different forms – tincture, concentrate, soft gel capsules, topical solution, under-the-tongue sprays, wax, edibles, skin creams, and patch. The CBD concentration in each of these products may vary.
Although several studies have exhibited CBD oil’s benefits on patients suffering from epilepsy, anxiety issues, heart problems, Schizophrenia, inflammation, chronic pain, and addiction, research is still on and scientists aren’t entirely certain CBD oil’s exact level of efficiency in treating these ailments.
What are the Benefits of CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol has been proven to be a good remedy for many health conditions. Before we discuss the benefits of CBD oil on the human body and mind in more detail, we must add that the use of CBD oil in any form is quite safe as it does not lead to dependence or tolerance towards the drug. So, it is an excellent choice for those trying to kick addictions or stay away from addictive drugs. So far, CBD oil has been reported to help in:
1. Relief from Chronic Pain & Inflammation
People suffering from chronic pain resulting from fibromyalgia have experienced relief after using CBD oil. Using CBD oil has also been found to offer common pain relief and prevent the degeneration of the nervous system.
In Canada, it has been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and cancer pain. According to the authors of a study, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, CBD significantly reduced chronic inflammation and pain in some mice and rats. The researchers suggested that CBD can provide a new treatment for chronic pain.
Chronic inflammation, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, leads to many non-infectious diseases like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Type 1 Diabetes, and even autoimmune disease. Research shows that CBD can treat inflammation and in turn help alleviate these diseases. In short, CBD helps with pain relief.
2. Calms Epilepsy
CBD has been proven to have anti-seizure properties that can successfully treat children with drug-resistant types of neurological disorders like epilepsy.
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, CBD showed a decrease in the frequency of seizures by 23 percentage points over those taking a placebo.
In fact, in June 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisors approved the prescription use of Epidiolex, a purified form of CBD oil, for treating two rare and severe forms of epilepsy in patients of the ages of 2 years and older. These two forms of epilepsy – Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) and Dravet Syndrome (DS) – generally don’t respond to anti-seizure medications.
Epidiolex happens to be the first FDA-approved drug that contains a purified form of a drug derived from marijuana. This drug reduces the seizures and sometimes stops them altogether. Remarkable visual proof of its effects on children suffering from “childhood epilepsy” is available on the internet for people to view.
On June 25, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, on behalf of the FDA, stated: “Today, the FDA approved a purified form of the drug cannabidiol (CBD)…The new product was approved to treat seizures associated with two rare, severe forms of epilepsy in patients two years of age and older.”
Research has also suggested that CBD can help treat complications arising from epilepsy, like neurodegeneration, neuronal injury, and psychiatric diseases.
3. Anxiety & Depression
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, depression affects 6% and anxiety affects 18% of the population in the US each year. Their research shows that CBD oil can help with both problems.
While doctors generally advise people suffering from chronic anxiety to avoid cannabis, since even traces of THC can trigger or increase anxiety and paranoia, authors of a review published in the journal Neurotherapeutics in 2015 derived that CBD, a non-psychoactive compound, can actually help reduce anxiety in people with certain anxiety-related behavioral disorders, such as:-
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- General anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Substance-abuse disorders
However, these conclusions were derived through experimental research, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies, and no human-based research is available at this point.
CBD has been seen to also reduce stress and discomfort associated with public speaking.
With regard to depression, CBD has been seen to reduce depression by enhancing both serotonergic and glutamate cortical signaling (both of which are lacking in people suffering from depression). To read more about CBD oil for anxiety (visit here)
4. Reduce Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is a condition when the body has too many free radicals and antioxidants aren’t able to neutralize all of them. This is a comparatively recent problem these days, owing to the rising toxicity in our environment.
Two separate studies have shown that CBD oil has antioxidant and neuroprotective qualities that help in reducing neurological damage caused by free radicals.
5. Aid Treatment of Heart Ailments
Heart disease is also a growing problem across the world. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of death in the United States. A healthy diet and lifestyle is a top priority for such people, but CBD oil can also help.
In a small study published in JCI Insight in 2017, researchers observed that CBD can help prevent blood-pressure fluctuations due to stress. In this study, nine healthy male volunteers were given a single dose of either CBD or placebo. Those treated with CBD had lower blood pressure, compared to those given a placebo, both before and after experiencing a stressful event.
According to researchers, cannabidiol helps by:
- Reducing artery blockage
- Reducing stress-induced cardiovascular response
- Reducing blood pressure
- Reducing cholesterol level
CBD oil helps prevent oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are often precursors to heart diseases.
6. Fights Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria
According to many experts, cannabinoids (including CBD) have an unusual ability to destroy bacteria (especially the drug-resistant strains). While more research is still needed to understand how and why it works, according to a 2011 study, CBD can slow down the progression of tuberculosis in rats. Researchers concluded that CBD likely does this by inhibiting T-cell proliferation, rather than possessing antibacterial properties.
Whatever may be the mechanism for destroying bacteria, CBD certainly seems to be a potent weapon against the newly emerging antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”.
7. Treat Type 1 Diabetes
We have already discussed how CBD oil helps combat inflammation. The same is true for when the immune system attacks the pancreatic cells, causing Type 1 Diabetes.
Research published in 2016 by Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, a peer-reviewed international scientific journal, found that CBD may ease this inflammation in the pancreas.
Similarly, a paper presented the same year in Lisbon, Portugal, suggested that CBD can reduce the inflammation and protect against or even delay the development of Type 1 Diabetes.
8. Help with treating Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious and complicated mental illness that is typically managed through therapy and pharmaceutical drugs (that often have severe side effects). Whereas, many people have found CBD oil helpful in reducing hallucinations, minus the side effects.
According to the March 2015 review of research, CBD is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment for psychosis. But more research is needed to bring CBD into clinical practice.
You must remember that THC, a psychoactive compound found in marijuana, can, in fact, increase psychosis among the affected individuals, while CBD only helps reduce it and may even counteract psychosis brought on by marijuana abuse.
Yet another study, published in Current Pharmaceutical Design, another peer-reviewed medical journal that covers issues related to pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, found that CBD has effects similar to those of certain antipsychotic drugs and that this compound is much safer and a more effective option for people with schizophrenia.
9. Treat skin conditions
Several studies have shown that CBD oil has a high potential for treating skin conditions, like eczema, by encouraging abnormal cell death.
It also helps regulate the skin’s oil production, thus reducing acne. A 2014 study reported by the Journal of Clinical Investigation, a biomedical journal published by the American Society for Clinical Investigation, found that CBD helps to lower the production of sebum, partly because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory property. Owing to these reasons, CBD could well become the future treatment for acne vulgaris, the most common form of acne.
It will be interesting to note that cannabidiol also contains certain nutrients like vitamin E that help nourish and protect the skin.
10. Fight addiction
CBD oil may help people with addiction overcome their withdrawal symptoms, suggested a review published in the journal Substance Abuse in 2015. In their report, they analyzed 14 previously published studies in which scientists determined that CBD may have a therapeutic effect on people with opioid, cocaine, and/or psycho-stimulant addiction.
They also found that CBD may help treat those with cannabis and tobacco addiction. Researchers have found evidence of CBD blocking or sometimes reducing THC’s effect on the mind.
A pilot study, published in Addictive Behaviors, found that smokers, who used inhalers containing CBD, smoked fewer cigarettes than usual. They also did not suffer from any withdrawal symptoms like cravings for nicotine.
A similar review, published in Neurotherapeutics, noted that CBD reduces symptoms associated with substance abuse, such as anxiety, mood-related symptoms, pain, and insomnia.
More research is necessary, but these findings definitely point to the possibility of CBD helping prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms.
11. Fight certain types of Cancer
For people fighting cancer, CBD may provide them with a natural alternative for pain and symptom relief.
Although more research needs to be done on CBD’s role in treating cancer, whatever data is currently available looks promising.
According to the American Cancer Society, CBD oil can slow down the growth and spread of certain types of cancer (in animals), given that this psychoactive compound efficiently fights oxidative stress and inflammation.
According to a review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, CBD can significantly help prevent the spread of cancer. The researchers noted that the compound tends to suppress the growth of cancer cells and promote their destruction.
12. Alzheimer’s Disease
CBD can prevent the development of social recognition deficit among patients, suggested research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. This means that CBD could help people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s retain their ability to recognize faces they know, and in turn slow the progression of the disease.
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Is CBD oil useful for everyone? Who can benefit from it?
As per a recent report by the World Health Organization, CBD products are usually safe for everyone. However, if you are pregnant, it may have a negative impact on your body and that of your unborn child. Besides, if you are currently on any medication, you must consult a doctor before you use CBD oil. This is to ensure that there are no negative fall-outs from mixing the two.
CBD oils have been seen to have positive effects on both humans and animals.
On humans, they can help improve or treat a wide range of health issues, from everyday ailments to some chronic conditions. CBD’s health benefits include:
- Acne
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
- Insomnia
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Loss of appetite and body weight
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Heart ailments
- Some forms of cancer
It has also been found that CBD helps some animals overcome similar health issues, owing to the fact that all mammals have an endocannabinoid system.
Particularly for cats and dogs that we humans prefer to keep as pets, CBD oil may help with:
- Excessive barking or crying
- Pets getting along with other pets
- Alleviating Pain
- Relaxing pets before a trip to the vet or long travel
- Lack of appetite
- Separation anxiety
With pets, it is difficult to gauge the exact dosage. But a dose of 1 mg per 10 pounds of body weight is a good place to start. You increase the dose to up to 5 mg for the same bodyweight if need be. A higher dose may be necessary in certain cases. However, it is best to consult a vet before increasing the dosage. Repeat the dose 3-4 times a day for a better impact.
How does CBD oil really work?
To take effect, cannabinoids like CBD attach to certain receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system(ECS), which is a complex biological system responsible for regulating certain specific aspects of bodily functions, like memory, sleep, and mood, as well as metabolic processes like energy balance.
CBD oils are also believed to improve several other kinds of health conditions. According to recent research, all these health issues are caused by the deregulation of the ECS.
Interestingly, the endocannabinoid system, something most people wouldn’t have heard about until recently, was discovered through various research and studies on the effects of cannabis on the body and was hence named after the plant itself.
The ECS made up of endocannabinoids and their receptors are spread across the entire body, from the brain and other organs to glands and immune cells. This system throws up a varied kind of reactions in different parts of the body. However, it is all about homeostasis or internal balance. The receptors in the brain control coordination and movement, pain, emotions, and mood, thinking, appetite, and memories, among other functions, while those found in the immune system affect pain and inflammation.
The exhilarated feeling of euphoria after a long run or after intercourse is caused by endocannabinoids that get stimulated by these natural acts to make you feel “high” – an elated feeling with hardly any or no pain.
CBD and THC act as external stimulants that have similar effects on this very powerful body system, causing different kinds of reactions on different parts of the body.
How long does it take for CBD to take effect?
Most people use CBD oil by ingesting it with the help of a dripper. Given that its use is comparatively new, its exact dosage isn’t established yet. Hence, an exact time frame for its effect to kick in is also difficult to determine. It has been seen that different people react to CBD at different rates and in different ways.
Although more extensive research is needed in this area, no case of CBD overdose has been reported so far. Also, there are very few, if any, side effects, making overdosing almost impossible.
Most companies will provide you with an estimated dosage on the instruction label/manual. If you are taking it as a preventive supplement or a cure, stick to those instructions.
Some may see a noticeable change within seconds, while others may not notice anything for weeks. If you are taking it for inflammation or pain, for instance, and you don’t see improvement for weeks, you may want to increase the dosage, but of course in consultation with a doctor.
It is believed that a small dose of CBD 3-4 times a day has more therapeutic benefits than one large dose.
However, one must remember that CBD oil, though quite safe on its own, may react with other medications, particularly steroids and opioids. So, always consult a doctor before trying such alternative methods of treatment.
