Many people are curious about CBD as a health supplement due to the positive reports circulating online and through mass media. But can CBD really help you stay healthy, active, and relaxed? Let’s delve into the details to understand CBD’s potential benefits better.
One of the most documented benefits of CBD is its ability to help manage chronic pain. Unlike marijuana, CBD doesn’t cause a high, so patients with chronic pain can use it solely for relief. It’s believed that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties because it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies. Essentially, CBD binds to receptors in the ECS, signaling it to relieve pain.
Epidiolex, an FDA-approved CBD product, has been shown to help children with severe forms of epilepsy like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. These conditions cause debilitating seizures, even in infants. Clinical studies suggest that when combined with other anti-epilepsy medications, Epidiolex can reduce the frequency of seizures.
Some people also report that CBD helps improve their sleep. If chronic pain is the reason you can’t sleep well, CBD might help by managing the pain, leading to better rest. Knowing the differences between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD can guide you to the right product for effective pain and stress management, which can contribute to better sleep. However, there’s not enough evidence to say that CBD can definitely cure insomnia.
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy might find relief from symptoms like nausea and vomiting by using CBD. Additionally, if they experience pain from cancer or chemotherapy, CBD might help alleviate that pain. However, more research is required to determine if CBD can actually inhibit the spread of cancer.
Some evidence suggests that CBD may lower resting blood pressure, potentially making it a treatment option for high blood pressure due to its anti-inflammatory effects. CBD might also help with stress and anxiety, contributing to an overall sense of well-being and encouraging patients to engage in activities they enjoy.
There are different types of CBD products: isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum. CBD isolate, free from the hemp or weed smell, contains pure cannabidiol without terpenes or THC. It’s ideal if you want to avoid any trace of THC. Full-spectrum CBD includes all beneficial compounds of the cannabis plant, including THC, though in minimal amounts that don’t induce psychoactive effects. Broad-spectrum CBD has all plant compounds except THC.
CBD is believed to help relieve symptoms of various illnesses such as chronic pain, epilepsy, insomnia, cancer, and high blood pressure. If patients find symptom relief with CBD, they might experience an improved sense of well-being and become more active and healthy.
However, the evidence isn’t conclusive that CBD can cure these conditions. It can have side effects like fatigue, appetite changes, weight maintenance issues, and diarrhea. CBD might also interact adversely with other medications, so it’s essential to consult a doctor before using CBD as an alternative treatment.