Have you ever wondered why CBD oil benefits are changing the face of natural oils in the market today? CBD is essentially an abbreviation for cannabidiol, a popular natural remedy used for various common ailments.
CBD is among the 104+ chemical compounds that are found in the marijuana plant. These compounds are essentially known as cannabinoids. Of these compounds, tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC, is the main psychoactive agent which often makes people who take marijuana feel somewhat “high”.
But just to make the facts clear: CBD is not psychoactive like THC. As a result, it is not associated with any of the psychological effects associated with THC. This impeccable quality makes CBD a desired choice many, because you can potentially draw benefits from it without experiencing any of the mind altering effects associated with marijuana.
CBD oil is rapidly gaining momentum in the world of health and wellness partly due to its effectiveness and ease of manufacture. It is made simply by extracting it from the marijuana plant and then mixing it with other essential carrier oils such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil.
Here are some of the benefits you can obtain from CBD oil:
Contents
- 1 CBD oil benefits list
- 2 What conditions does CBD help with?
- 3 What are the other health benefits of CBD?
- 3.1 CBD oil benefits for skin
- 3.2 CBD oil benefits for dogs
- 3.3 CBD oil benefits for arthritis
- 3.4 CBD oil benefits ADHD
- 3.5 CBD oil for fibromyalgia
- 3.6 CBD oil migraines
- 3.7 CBD oil benefits for Parkinson’s
- 3.8 CBD oil benefits for pain
- 3.9 CBD oil benefits for heart health
- 3.10 CBD oil benefits for treatment of substance abuse
CBD oil benefits list
There are numerous benefits of CBD oil. The good thing is that these benefits have a scientifically proven basis. CBD oil may be indicated to manage the symptoms of various disease conditions. Here is a list of conditions where CBD oil can be beneficial:
- Epilepsy/seizures
- Cancer
- Anxiety and depression
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
- Acne
- Alzheimer’s
- Schizophrenia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Huntington’s disease
- Tourette syndrome
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Asthma
- Skin conditions
- Arthritis
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraines
- Parkinson’s
- Pain
- Heart health
- Substance abuse
- CBD oil for dogs
What conditions does CBD help with?
There are quite a number of disease conditions where CBD can be indicated for use. Here are the most common ones:
- Epilepsy
Perhaps one of the boldest moves ever made by the Food and Drug administration was to approve the use of CBD in the management of epileptic seizures way back in 2008. Studies on the anticonvulsant activity of cannabinoids started way back in 1975. The medication that was approved is called Epidiolex, and is essentially a cannabidiol.
There are certain specific conditions with seizures that can only be effectively managed by Epidiolex. Ideally, a doctor in the United States will prescribe this medication to treat two major conditions:
- Lennox Gastaut syndrome is a condition which usually manifests in individuals between the age of 3 and 5 years old. Among its symptoms are different kinds of seizures.
- Dravet syndrome is a genetic condition. Although very rare, it involves frequent seizures that are associated with intense fever. The condition becomes manifest within the first year of infant life.
The reason why the FDA approved the use of CBD for the treatment of epilepsy related to these diseases is because these types are difficult to treat with other medications. In such circumstances, CBD is approved for use in children and the dosage is determined by a physician or a pharmacist albeit while considering the weight of the patient.
- CBD oil benefits for cancer
The chief mechanism of action for drugs that are used in the management if cancer is their ability to inhibit r slow down the proliferation of cancer cells. The ability of CBD, and cannabinoid in general, to inhibit the proliferation cancer cells was first documented in the 1970s.
Since then, many studies have revealed that cannabinoids can act on a variety of cancer cells lines to reduce the progression of the disease. Essentially, CBD blocks the blood supply to cancer cells – a property called angiogenesis inhibition. This interferes with the invasiveness of the cancer thus reducing its spread.
Other than decreasing blood supply to tumors and reducing the invasiveness of cancer cells, recent studies have also shown that CBD can induce the programmed cell death of cancer cells, a process known in the medical world as apoptosis.
- CBD oil benefits anxiety and depression
Very often you will be advised to avoid marijuana when you have anxiety disorders because tetrahydrocannabinol is known to trigger and/or amplify the feelings of paranoia and anxiety. Contrary to THC, this research found out that CBD can be helpful in reducing anxiety in patients with disorders contributing to anxiety.
Among the anxiety disorders listed to be effectively managed by CBD oil include: general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. From the study, it also worth noting that the current available treatment for anxiety disorders have several adverse effects which makes most patients to stop using them. CBD oil on the other hand is relatively safer and with minimal side effects.
- Diabetes mellitus Type 1
The benefits of CBD oil in the management of type 1 diabetes is due to the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD oil. Several studies have authenticated the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD. Diabetes mellitus type one is caused by an inflammatory process where the immune cells attack the cells of the pancreas which produce the hormone insulin.
This study found out that CBD directly reduces the early inflammation of the pancreas. By reducing the inflammatory process in the pancreas, CBD actively helps in preventing the progression of diabetes mellitus type 1.
- Acne
Acne is a skin condition which always occur secondary to inflamed and overworked sebaceous (oil) glands in the skin. A study posted to The Journal of Clinical Investigation in the year 2014 found out that CBD actively prevents the excessive production of sebum from sebaceous gland.
It also found out that CBD has anti-inflammatory effects on human sebocytes – the cells that produce sebum. In most cases, acne occurs due to over production of sebum form the sebaceous gland. And who knows! Maybe someday CBD oil may be the first line therapy for patients suffering from the most common form of acne – acne vulgaris.
- CBD oil benefits for Alzheimer’s
The first evidence that CBD could be helpful in the management of Alzheimer’s disease came when this study was posted in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. The study found out that CBD is most helpful in the initial stages of Alzheimer’s disease. In this early stage, it helps the patients maintain their ability to still recognize people and things they know.
- Schizophrenia
The endocannabinoid system in the brain provides tremendous therapeutic benefits in people with neurological disorders. Studies have shown that CBD is characteristically helpful to people suffering from schizophrenia due to its agonistic effects on cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
- Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a disorder which is characterized by the inflammation, demyelination, autoimmune response and axonal damage. There are increasing evidences which proves that CBD oil can be used in the management of this condition.
Most importantly, clinical trials on humans have revealed the CBD oil can be helpful in alleviating the pain associated with this condition. CBD oil is also a potent anti-inflammatory agent which significantly reduces the demyelination process and has been shown to prolong the survival rate in animal models.
- Huntington’s disease
This is a disorder characterized by progressive motor disturbances, cognitive deficits, dementia, and a distinct dance-like movement. In the brain, there are cannabinoid receptors. The advanced form of Huntington’s chorea is associated with loss of the cannabinoid receptors.
This has raised suspicion if there is a relationship between this condition and cannabinoids. As a result, agonists to the cannabinoid receptor such as CBD oil can be used in Huntington’s disease to alleviate any adverse symptoms. This property has been well study in animal models and the results are desirable.
- Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a somewhat complex inherited disorder whose origin is still unknown. It is characterized by both vocal and motor tics. The reason behind the use of CBD oil in the management of this condition is that CBD improves tics and also has effects on alleviating behavioral problems associated with Tourette syndrome.
Since CBD oil is not associated with any acute or long term cognitive deficits, its use in the management of this condition is very appropriate and effective.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that is often characterized by a rapid and selective loss of motor neuron which are located in the brain cortex, brain stem and spinal cord.
CBD oils, and marijuana as a whole, has effects that are applicable in the management of ALS. These effects include:
- Analgesia
- Bronchodilation
- Reduction of salivation
- Stimulation of appetite
- Induction of sleep
- Relaxation of muscles
In addition to these effects, studies have also shown that CBD oil has very potent antioxidant and neuroprotective effects which are also beneficial in the management of ALS. Put together, these properties essentially aid in the prolonged survival of neuronal cells.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is the term given to a severe psychological consequence of being exposed to, or confronted with, highly traumatic and stressful events. CBD oil is believed to be effective against the effects of PTSD.
Studies on animal models have revealed that treatment with CBD do not conjure any memory impairment or motor disruption when the animal models are subjected to stress. This action is made possible by the activation of cannabinoid receptors that are naturally found in the brain.
- Asthma
Studies posit that CBD oil can help in the management of asthma. Asthma is a chronic disease affecting the respiratory system. In this disease, the opening of the airway become reduced (constricts), becomes severely inflamed and is lined with a thick layer of mucus, this is what causes the difficulty in breathing associated with the disease.
Based on the presentation of asthma, CBD oil promptly improves the spasms of muscles lining the airway. This bronchodilatory action of CBD oil is what makes it useful in the management of asthma. However, more studies are being performed to figure out how this property of CBD oil can be channeled to full time medical use.
What are the other health benefits of CBD?
Besides the aforementioned diseases whose prognosis can be significantly affected by CBD, here are other additional health uses of CBD:
CBD oil benefits for skin
As you probably know already, inflammation is the root cause of most disorders of the skin. Cannabinoid have very potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which not only inhibit the inflammatory damage to the skin, but also reduce the aging and wrinkling of skin.
Aging of the skin is mostly caused by free radicals generated under the skin. The antioxidant properties of CBD oil break down these free radicals thereby alleviating the symptoms of aging. As previously mentioned, there are study based evidences that prove the use of CBD in the management of acne.
Acute conditions of the skin such as heat, itchiness and pain can also be relieved by CBD oil. The science behind this is that CBD is able to bind to certain specific receptors in the skin which initiate cascades that alleviate these symptoms.
CBD oil benefits for dogs
Some dog owners are still not yet convinced that CBD oil can be helpful to their dogs. Nevertheless, CBD oil for dogs is rapidly become a popular subject due to its immeasurable benefits to dogs.
Just like humans, dogs have the two cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors located in the nervous system, organs and glands, and CB2 receptors which are found in the immune system. The good thing is that CBD will work for your just as it works for humans.
It will help remedy for the many inflammatory processes common to dogs. It will keep your dog free from anxiety and depression. The anticancer properties of CBD will manage the cancer in your dog without side effects that could have arisen form contemporary treatments.
CBD oil benefits for arthritis
Contrary to popular beliefs that arthritis is a disease of the elderly, you may be surprised that this condition equally affects young people. Usually, there is no treatment for arthritis. The medications given are merely for symptomatic relief.
Drugs such as analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid and immunosuppressant drugs are the most common therapeutics for arthritis. These drugs have no curative potential, but will only manage the pain that comes with arthritis.
CBD oil is potent pain reliever. Coupled with the fact that it has limited side effects compared to these other medications, it is certainly a preferable choice in managing arthritis. Though its use is not widely distributed in the contemporary medical field.
The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD oil can also help with relieving the symptoms associated with arthritis.
CBD oil benefits ADHD
ADHD is the short acronym for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It affects millions of people, disrupting their quality of life. CBD oil is very effective in managing the symptoms of those individuals with ADHD.
CBD oil helps the patient to deal with lack of concentration, and anxiety. However, CBD is not curative against ADHD despite the fact that it actively alleviates the symptoms of the disorder. Since it is not curative, the benefits will wear off when you stop using it and the symptoms come back again.
CBD oil for fibromyalgia
The research on CBD for fibromyalgia is still in its infancy. The three key symptoms in people suffering from fibromyalgia are pain, anxiety and insomnia. Besides, studies have also concluded that patients with fibromyalgia have endocannabinoid deficiency. Other conditions associated with fibromyalgia are migraine and irritable bowel syndrome.
Studies have shown that CBD cab be helpful in managing these conditions such as this review published in 2016.
CBD oil migraines
Before cannabis ever became legal, people have always used it for years to relieve headaches. There are no scientific evidences that can quantify the benefits of cannabis in migraine management, but the available information is sufficient to help you condlude that CBD component. of cannabis can help relieve migraines.
Research on the CBD for migraine is still in its infancy stages, hence, there are no dose related specifications to justify the treatment of migraines with CBD.
CBD oil benefits for Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease is among the chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Usually, it is managed by a drug called levodopa. However, patients on levodopa usually develop complications such as levodopa induced dyskinesia.
CBD doesn’t treat Parkinson’s per se, but it helps in reducing the incidence of levodopa induced dyskinesia. This role can also be achieved by either cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists.
CBD oil benefits for pain
According to several studies, CBD provide pain relief chiefly by inhibiting the neuronal transmission in the pain pathways. Actually, cannabinoid have been used for millennia to alleviate pain due to a variety of conditions.
This pain reliving property has made CBD very popular. It is actually useful in almost all diseases whose symptoms include pain. In some diseases, the pain relieving ability of CBD may be the only reason why is indicated for that disease.
CBD oil benefits for heart health
Recent studies have linked CBD to blood pressure lowering effects. Most of the disorders of the cardiovascular system are linked to increased blood pressure or hypertension. CBD may well be among the best natural remedies for treating elevated blood pressure.
Studies posit that the effects of CBD on blood pressure are due to its ability to alleviate stress and reduce anxiety.
Despite the fact that more studies are needed in this subject matter, it is believable that CBD maintains heart health by preventing heart damage by hypertension.
CBD oil benefits for treatment of substance abuse
Based on this study on additive behavior, smokers who inhaled CBD simultaneously with cigarettes eventually ended up smoking less cigarettes than usual. Others actually lacked the cravings for cigarettes.
This study also proved that CBD shows promising results that it can be used in the treatments and management of people with opioid addiction disorders. Conveniently, CBD also alleviates symptoms associated with these disorders such as pain, anxiety, insomnia and change of mood.
Conclusion
CBD oil has so many benefits – some of which are still yet to be studied. Unlike other cannabinoids, CBD doesn’t present with adverse side effects on the central nervous system. Most people have nowadays acclimatized to the therapeutic advantage of CBD online hence the reason why it has become very popular among several other oils in its niche. Always ensure that you get the most genuine CBD oil product from a trusted dealer so that you can enjoy the full potential of the natural oil. If in doubt, consult a specialist or your doctor for advice.
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