Recently the popularity for CBD oil therapy has grown exponentially for its potential effects on cases of epilepsy, on chemotherapy’s harsh side effects, and also on tumor growth. The use in these specific cases has been well documented and is backed up with significant research, but there are many other uses for CBD oil that are often overlooked.
This shouldn’t be surprising, because even with its rise in popularity, CBD is still often outshone by its more popular cousin, THC. Everyone knows THC because it causes feelings of euphoria, anxiety and altered perceptions when consumed. This is its telltale experience, that has led to its sometimes infamous nature. However, cannabidiol (CBD) is from the same plant, cannabis sativa, but triggers a drastically different experience for its users. In reality, the CBD experience is quite gentle with no altered perception, no anxiety and no feelings of euphoria. Most people report a mild sense of relaxation, but no other perceivable effects.
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This is primarily because CBD doesn’t interact with our endocannabinoid receptors in the same way that THC does, and therefore causes no unwanted side effects. Its ability to influence the endocannabinoid system seems much more complex than that of THC, and subsequently scientists are still peeling back the layers in order to understand exactly how it functions. But that doesn’t mean the preliminary studies haven’t shown some extremely exciting results in terms of new fields for CBD application. Here are ten relatively unknown applications for CBD that will blow your mind!
1. Diabetes
Diabetes, both Type I and Type II, are now considered to be an autoimmune disorder. This is because the immune system interferes with the proper functioning of the insulin producers. Because of this relatively new definition, CBD is being explored as new potential therapy due to its ability to regulate the immune system. A study published in 2008, conducted on obese lab mice, found that CBD oil treatment was able to drastically reduce their risk of becoming diabetic.
2. Prion (otherwise known as Mad Cow Disease)
While perhaps not a concern for most people, CBD has been shown to halt the production of prions during neurodegenerative disorders such as Mad Cow Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This function has been found to extend the lifespan of infected mice, and according to scientists could have wide ranging applications beyond these two illnesses.
3. Acne
Researchers at the National Institute of Health have discovered that CBD may prove to be beneficial for the treatment of acne. This is because it seems to reduce the lipid production of the human sebaceous glands. When lipids are inhibited they stop producing oil, and less oil means less acne. Cannabidiol also has a anti-inflammatory response, which helps reduce any inflamed and irritated skin.
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4. Multiple Sclerosis
There is great potential for CBD to provide relief for people suffering from MS. In one animal study, over the course of a 10-day treatment, lab mice were documented to have improved motor skills and reduced appearance of MS symptoms when treated with CBD. Cannabidiol also reduces inflammation, which is a root cause for many of the painful symptoms experienced with MS.
5. Nicotine Addiction
A study published in 2013 by the Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit at the University College London demonstrated that CBD inhalers reduced the severity of nicotine cravings in people who were trying to quit smoking. In a double-blind placebo trial, CBD inhalers showed great success over a placebo inhaler in reducing the quantity of cigarettes smoked. In the trial half of the 24 participants received CBD therapy, and they were able to reduce their consumption of nicotine by over 40 percent.
6. Fibromyalgia
When compared to traditional pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of fibromyalgia (opioids, anti-inflammatory, and corticosteroids), CBD was reported by the participants of at least one study to have much better results. This is because it was shown to reduce pain and inflammation, when the other medications proved to have less potent results.
7. Schizophrenia
In a study published in 2012 in the journal of Translational Psychiatry, scientists explored the use of CBD for treatment of schizophrenia. When compared to traditional medications, CBD was found to be equally as effective for a reduction in psychosis, however because CBD has basically zero harsh side effects it is much more suitable as a long-term treatment option.
8. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Because CBD is so beneficial for the treatment of everyday stress and anxiety, it is also beneficial for the treatment of PTSD. It has also been found to reduce the trigger potential of memory recollection because it promotes the healthy function of memory. This means that when memories reappear in patients with PTSD, their severity begins to naturally fade over time and does not recreate the memory in vivid detail. Patients begin to experience these traumatic memories in a normal matter, and don’t have problems differentiating them from reality.
9. Insomnia
Cannabis has long been used by people suffering from sleep disorders such as insomnia, and this is also the case with CBD use. One of the only side effects of CBD use is relaxation, and when taken before bed CBD has been found to increase the duration of sleep and improve the flow of the sleep cycle, specifically when it comes to the REM period. It does this without any of the addictive tendencies of other sleep aids.
10. Crohn's Disease
Scientists hypothesize that because CBD is useful for treatment of inflammation, and because there are so many endocannabinoid receptors within our digestive tract, CBD could have a two-fold application when it comes to treating Crohn’s disease. It has already been found by many people with Crohn’s disease to be an extremely helpful way to reduce the severity of their painful symptoms.
References
http://cannabisclinicians.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/CBDcigarettes.pdf
