One of the most popular remedies from natural products is Cannabidiol and is used for many common ailments. It is also known as CBD and sometimes referred to as a golden or green dragon.
CBD is one of the more than a hundred cannabinoids found in the cannabis plants, cannabis Sativa. Cannabis has two variants; marijuana and hemp.
Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the chemical responsible for the ‘high’ or psychoactive sensation and is mostly associated with marijuana. CBD is mostly associated with hemp and not known for the same results.
The qualities of CBD make it an attractive option for people looking to get pain relief and other similar symptoms without the mind-altering effects of marijuana.
CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from cannabis plants and mixing it with a carrier like coconut oil or hemp seed oil. In the healthcare industry, it is known for easing pain related to physical conditions, chronic anxiety and even reduces seizures from schizophrenia.
CBD oil is made by extracting the CBD from the cannabis plants and making it into a crude paste. This paste is processed through many stages and refined in several ways and then added to carrier oil.
In this process, other compounds of the cannabis plants also add to the medical benefits like cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabidivarin (CBDV) along with CBD.
Terpenes are the compounds responsible for the smell of cannabis and other flowers and plants. These are sometimes reintroduced into CBD oil as they have their own medical benefits.
Though CBD oil is named such because of the massive presence of CBD, it is also referred to as broad-spectrum CBD oil because of more benefits.
CBD Oil has many benefits and is widely revered because of its complementary nature to a wide range of medication. Let us see the benefits and understand their impact.
Relief From Pain
From as far back as 2900 BC, marijuana is widely known for its efficient pain treatment. In the recent research and detailed studies, it has been revealed that some compounds present in the plant are responsible for its pain relief feature, CBD is one of them. The endocannabinoid system present in human bodies is involved in regulating many basic functions like appetite, pain, sleep and immunity.
CBD helps in reducing pain by affecting the endocannabinoid receptors in our nervous systems and interacting with neurotransmitters. Sciatic nerve pain and inflammation can be reduced significantly and efficiently by CBD.
Multiple sclerosis and arthritis can be very painful and CBD is known to provide fast pain relief this aiding in the recovery medication and putting the patient at ease.
Though THC is illegal and banned in certain geographies, a spray Sativex, which is administered orally, is approved in multiple countries treats pain with high effectiveness in cases of multiple sclerosis.
Good results were seen in patients on studying their behaviour during pain, walking and muscle spasms after administration of CBD. However, the placebo effects cannot be overruled and are beyond testing.
CBD also improves the situation and provides pain relief in rest, movement and during sleep in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Reduces Anxiety and Helps in Depression
Anxiety and depression though are mental disorders can lead to serious impacts on health and well-being. According to WHO (World Health Organization), depression is a major factor contributing to disability. Anxiety is also a major factor in mental health disorders.
These ailments are normally treated with drugs that are pharmaceutical in nature and may cause side effects like agitation, drowsiness, insomnia, headache and sexual dysfunction. CBD oil is effective in both these conditions and people prefer this natural approach.
Studies have proven that patients suffering from these conditions have had significant effects in a release from anxiety and depression. CBD acts towards the brain receptors on serotonin, a neurotransmitter and has an effect that regulates social behaviour and rejuvenates the mood.
Alleviating Cancer-Related Symptoms
CBD has a big role to play in reducing symptoms from cancer and helps in side effects related to treatment like nausea, pain and vomiting. Chemotherapy is a painful process and is known to have side effects like nausea and vomiting.
Although there are drugs that help in these symptoms they are sometimes ineffective and are pharmaceutical drugs. CBD is known to be vastly more effective and faster than these drugs.
Though these are results that have been obtained from a wide spectrum of treatment more and more studies will reveal the benefits after in-depth research.
Reducing Acne
Acne is caused by a number of factors like genetics, bacteria, inflammation and sebum overproduction, which is an oily secretion from the sebaceous glands of the skin.
Recent scientific studies indicate CBD oil helps efficiently in treating acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce the production of sebum.
Inflammatory cytokines and the other pro-acne agents can be prevented by CBD’s anti-inflammatory actions and from the excessive secretion from the sebaceous glands.
Neuroprotective Properties
Neurological disorders and other brain signalling systems can be treated by CBD’s capability to act on the endocannabinoid system. Epilepsy and multiple sclerosis can be treated with the help of CBD.
Sativex is known to reduce muscle spasticity in people suffering from multiple sclerosis. Epilepsy related seizures can also be effectively treated with the help of CBD.
Children suffering from Dravet syndrome have been found to have less seizure activity once administered with CBD. Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease have had benefits in receiving an improved quality of life and sleep. It also prevents neurodegeneration occurring from Alzheimer’s disease.
CBD has a variety of effective results in several neurological diseases and is known to assist faster than other prescribed medication.
Healthy Heart
CBD has a marked effect in lowering blood pressure and also has several other heart-related benefits. It reduces the possibility of high blood pressure conditions like stroke, heart attack and metabolic syndrome.
Research indicates that the ability of CBD to reduce stress and anxiety are responsible for its ability to reduce blood pressure.
Other Benefits
CBD is also associated with other benefits like reducing psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia, reduces substance abuse problems and reducing dependency, has anti-tumour effects and also prevents diabetes.
Overdose of CBD oil may result in side effects like diarrhoea, change in appetite and fatigue. Since it is natural it is always advisable to discuss the usage with a medical practitioner before starting. It is a relatively new area of research and other therapeutic uses are yet to be discovered.
