There is more to CBD, or cannabidiol, than initially meets the eye. On the surface it might look like just any other herbal supplement or tincture on the market, touting itself as the next big thing in healthcare. Usually with similar trends, the fad passes as extensive research is performed on the new and exciting substance, because the supplement just doesn’t live up to all its supposed benefits. Cannabidiol is doing something different though, it’s being intensely studied around the world and the results are overwhelmingly positive. The evidence is only becoming stronger that CBD can have extremely powerful and beneficial results. With all the research building up, more people are beginning to hear of the benefits of CBD, even if they have little to no experience with is better known cousin, cannabis.
There are many people who may be suffering from painful inflammation or muscle spasms (like those associated with Parkinson’s Disease), and they are looking into CBD as a new treatment option. Perhaps you are also curious, but wonder what does CBD do? It has been shown to clearly reduce, slow down, or stop a myriad of health issues. On top of all this, there are little to zero risk of side-effects from using CBD oil as a medicine. Even in high doses, treating seniors, children, animals…those using CBD have so far reported nearly no side effects and those that were reported were extremely mild. For example, some reported mild side effects are feelings of calmness and relaxation.
How CBD is able to affect the body so powerfully, while also doing no damage to our sensitive biological systems, is slowly being explored. Only now with the extensive research being done is CBD better understood.
How does CBD Interact with your Body and Brain?
Cannabidiol is one of dozens of known cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant. They all interact with the body in their own individual ways, and CBD is currently being explored for the way it interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the cannabinoid system. It also has been found to interact with a serious of non-cannabinoid receptors as well such as the serotonin, vanilloid, and the “orphan” or GPR55 receptors.
In terms of the both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are seriously stimulated by THC, CBD can often inhibit the strength or length of time the stimulation occurs. It seems to interact differently, but in conjunction with THC and reduce the sometimes negative psychoactive and anxious side effects associated with cannabis use.
Cannabidiol is being explored for its ability to lessen anxiety, depression, fear, and experience of pain. This is thought to be related to its activation of the 5-HT1A receptor, also known as the serotonin receptor. It slows down the signaling of the receptor, thereby slowing down the dispersion of serotonin within the neural system.
Cannabidiol has also proven successful in the treatment of pain because it binds with the vanilloid receptor, TRPV1. It is able to stimulate the receptor, which regulates the experience of neuropathic pain, inflammation and pain perception.
What Can CBD do for you?
Antipsychotic
Perhaps related to the way CBD dampens the psychotic effects of THC, it can also alleviate psychosis associated with schizophrenia. This was demonstrated by research performed at the University of Cologne in germany.
Anti-Tumour
What could sound like one of CBD’s most radical claims is that CBD has natural anti-tumour effects. However, this claim has been proven time and time again and research showing the positive results is presented through esteemed institutions such as the National Cancer institute. There is research showing it slows the growth of tumours, its potential turn off the genetic breast cancer gene and its ability to reduce mastication.
Antispasmodic
One of its most famous toted benefits is CBD’s ability to reduce severe muscle spasms, most famously used by desperate parents to treat their children suffering from seizures. In one small clinical trial it reduced seizures by 50% in children. Some participants in the study even became seizure free after being treated with CBD.
Anti-Anxiety
For people suffering from chronic anxiety, CBD has been found to offer relief. In a 2011 study, a control group was pitted against a group given a high dose of CBD. They were asked to self-rate their anxiety before a simulated public speech used to promote anxious feelings. Not only did they report reduced feelings of anxiety, they also had measurably lower indicators of physiological stress (heart rate, blood pressure, etc).
Relieves Pain
As mentioned above, CBD is extremely useful for treatment of inflammation and pain. It interacts with the vanilloid and CB1 receptors which are located throughout the body and central nervous system. Scientists are still developing a full understanding of how CBD is able to do this.
References
http://hightimes.com/culture/how-does-cbd-affect-the-brain/
https://twicebakedinwashington.com/2013/09/14/10-ways-cbd-in-cannabis-can-improve-your-health/
https://cbdoilreview.org/cbd-cannabidiol/cbd-benefits/
http://www.leafscience.com/2014/06/17/marijuana-epilepsy-drug-cuts-seizures-half/
