You’ve likely heard more and more about cannabidiol (CBD) recently, and it’s for a good reason. People are turning toward more ’under-the-counter’ self-prescribed medications these days. Not only because they are not getting what they need out of proper prescriptions, but because some people just don’t see any benefit from them. Plus, the side effects of most medications leave a lot to be desired.
Whatever the reason, many people are seeking natural alternative options because traditional pharmaceuticals just aren’t cutting it. During this journey, it’s only natural to explore one of the most popular alternative therapies on the market: CBD. If you find yourself in this predicament, wondering what can CBD help with, we’ve put together some helpful information on CBD and healing.
What is CBD?
If you’ve never heard about CBD, let’s review the basics. Cannabidiol is a compound found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. Cannabis Sativa is a broad term that covers a wide variety of plants, including medical marijuana and industrial hemp. Different strains of cannabis contain various combinations of cannabinoids.
You’ve probably heard of THC before. It’s the cannabinoid responsible for making you feel stoned, and for some people it can cause anxiety and paranoia. Thankfully, it's the only cannabinoid that has any mind-altering, psychoactive effects.
This significant difference between THC and CBD is one of the reasons for the recent surge in the popularity for CBD oil products. Cannabidiol features many of the same health benefits as medical marijuana, but has none of the associated psychoactive properties. Plus, CBD is derived from industrial hemp, and unlike marijuana products, is entirely legal all across America.
How Does It Work?
The relationship between CBD and our bodies is not fully understood yet, but its primary interactions seem to be within our endocannabinoid system. Most people haven’t heard of this system before, likely because it only was discovered in the 1990s. Just like your immune or digestive systems, it plays a big role in everyday life. It is known to manage pain sensation, memory, mood, and appetite, just to name a few essential processes.
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At the most basic level, the endocannabinoid system functions when your body releases chemicals called endocannabinoids. They travel through your body to respond to different stressors and activate different cannabinoid receptors. If working properly, your body will be in homeostasis or equilibrium. If it isn’t working properly, your endocannabinoid system helps it achieve homeostasis.
Cannabidiol is an extremely interesting natural compound because it mimics our endocannabinoids so perfectly. Somehow, it activates or stimulates different cannabinoid receptors, fooling our body to respond in similar ways. When our bodies are not responding correctly to our own endocannabinoids, or perhaps our body is not releasing enough of them, CBD can step in to support natural healing.
The Potential Health Benefits
Keeping in mind that CBD research is still in the initial stages, the reported benefits are still remarkably compelling. The scientific study is seeming to confirm personal stories from people already taking CBD. Medical professionals and patients alike are eager to see what is to come.
Using CBD as a health supplement is quickly becoming socially acceptable. One day soon, people could be taking CBD oil just like they take a daily multivitamin. It has the potential to change the course of medicine radically. Just take a look at some of the health benefits being explored now by researchers.
Soothe Aches and Pains
Like mentioned above, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for pain management. In animal trials, CBD therapy reduced inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain usually is caused by damaged tissue and often can be resistant to stronger medications, such as opioids. Some areas being explored show CBD may help with cancer pain, inflammatory pain, and pain related to multiple sclerosis.
Calms Anxiety
Did you know that even if THC makes you anxious, CBD can help calm you down? When used together, CBD can help reduce the duration and strength of the high. Scientists are exploring this same mechanism for use in the treatment of anxiety disorders. On top of the initial human trials showing evidence that CBD reduces the physical indicators of anxiety, many people report that CBD helps “take the edge off” on a daily basis.
May Target Cancerous Cells
Some of the most exciting research, especially according to cancer patients, is the laboratory studies showing how CBD targets and kills cancer cells. Early evidence suggests CBD targets cancer cells and prevents their migration, growth, and metastasis. This has been demonstrated in Petri dishes around the world, but still needs to be confirmed through further study.
Reduces Inflammation
Related to its pain-modulating potential, CBD also seems able to target inflammation. As you may already know, many health issues are directly related to the body’s inflammatory response. Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, chronic pain, migraines, and digestive problems all have been linked to inflammation. Researchers now are exploring how CBD seems to sooth problematic inflammation through its relationship with the endocannabinoid system.
Still wondering what can CBD help with? The breadth of research is broader than what can quickly be summarized here. Did you know that CBD might help with headaches? Or that you also can use CBD safely with pets (check out this article for more information)? Maybe you’ve heard that parents are giving CBD oil to their children to help reduce seizures. The more you find out, the more information there is to explore. Thankfully, the research quickly is catching up to personal experiences. One thing is becoming clear: the future of CBD is bright with potential!
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3371734/
https://selfhacked.com/blog/cannabidiol-cbd/#8_CBD_Relieves_Pain
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/cancer-oncology
https://www.projectcbd.org/inflammation
