CBD has become incredibly popular recently, with almost everyone wanting to try it. Many people, including scientists, are talking about the various health benefits of CBD. It’s important to note that CBD is different from marijuana because it doesn’t contain THC, which is the substance in marijuana that makes you high. Instead, CBD helps people feel calm and relaxed without any psychoactive effects.
One of the biggest advantages of CBD is that it provides therapeutic relief without affecting your ability to go about your daily activities. Unlike marijuana, CBD won’t get you high. People have been using CBD for pain relief for thousands of years. It’s effective in reducing the inflammation associated with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, whether taken orally or applied topically.
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help reduce pain and inflammation. It’s also been found to be beneficial for anxiety and depression by activating serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being. Higher serotonin levels can promote a sense of calm and help relieve anxiety and stress, as well as improve heart rates in some studies.
CBD can also help improve sleep indirectly by reducing pain and anxiety, which often keep people awake at night. Even though CBD doesn’t have sedative properties, by alleviating these issues, it can help people get better rest.
The FDA has approved a CBD drug for treating rare, drug-resistant epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Studies have shown it can reduce epileptic seizures by up to 50%. Research also suggests that CBD can slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease and reduce cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients.
In the beauty industry, CBD is used to treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It can help prevent breakouts and regulate the immune system, which contributes to clearer skin. For cancer patients, CBD offers pain relief and can help manage chemotherapy-related side effects. Studies have shown that patients using CBD experience less pain and fewer side effects compared to those who received a placebo.
Animal studies have shown promising results for CBD in preventing cardiovascular diseases and alleviating heart conditions and strokes. In a study with male volunteers, CBD was found to reduce blood pressure, indicating it may help people with hypertension. However, more research is needed to confirm these benefits in humans.
Another study showed that CBD reduced diabetes in mice by 56% and helped protect the heart from the effects of high blood sugar and inflammation due to type 2 diabetes. Although these findings are encouraging, they need to be replicated in human studies.
Overall, CBD has shown great potential in treating various ailments, but more extensive research is necessary to fully understand its effectiveness and safety as a medical therapy.