Cannabidiol is a natural treatment for many ailments. CBD is one of 100 cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa.
THC, the main psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, causes the euphoric high most people associate with cannabis. THC is psychoactive.
CBD doesn't have the mind-altering effects of marijuana or other prescription drugs, making it an appealing alternative for pain management.
Hemp seed oil or coconut oil is used to extract CBD from cannabis and dilute it before use. CBD is in supplements, bath soaks, drinks, and food.
Research reveals it may assist with chronic pain and anxiety in health and wellbeing. Is it your best choice?
CBD has health benefits, negative effects, and safety concerns.
1. May relieve pain
Since 2900 B.C., cannabis has relieved pain.
CBD, one of cannabis' cannabinoids, has pain-relieving qualities, say scientists.
The endocannabinoid system affects sleep, appetite, pain perception, and immune system response.
Cannabinoid receptors bind to endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters.
CBD may help alleviate chronic pain by affecting endocannabinoids, inflammation, and neurotransmitters.
CBD alone may help relieve nerve and back pain, according to certain research. THC is the best mix.
CBD and THC may relieve MS and arthritic pain.
Several nations have legalized Sativex (nabiximols), a THC and CBD oral spray, to treat MS discomfort (MS).
47 MS patients tested Sativex for a month. Reduced pain, movement, and muscle spasms.
Since there was no control group, a placebo effect is possible.
Recent research suggests Sativex may help those with MS-related neuropathic pain and chronic severe neuropathic pain. Recent research suggests that Sativex may reduce chronic pain-related anxiety and stress.
Some research suggest CBD may help with fibromyalgia and rheumatism.
A research including 2,701 fibromyalgia sufferers revealed that individuals who took CBD for pain management had improvements in their symptoms that ranged from mild to considerable.
Preclinical data from research on rodents suggests that CBD may be helpful in the treatment of arthritis-related pain and inflammation, but human trials are limited.
Researchers are cautiously enthusiastic about CBD's ability to alleviate certain pain, particularly when paired with THC, but additional high-quality trials are required to confirm its efficacy in pain management.
2. Could reduce symptoms related to some mental health disorders
A person's general health and well-being may be severely harmed by anxiety disorders and other mental health issues.
Drugs used to treat mental health issues may have a variety of adverse effects, including sleepiness, agitation, sleeplessness, sexual dysfunction, and headaches.
Benzodiazepines, for example, have the potential for addiction and may develop to a drug abuse problem.
Natural approaches to treating mental health issues such as anxiety are becoming more popular because of CBD oil's ability to alleviate symptoms.
Study participants were given either an oral CBD or placebo 90 minutes before they were tested on their ability to speak in front of a group of people. Study participants were shown to be substantially less anxious when given a 300-mg dosage of CBD.
No significant difference was seen between individuals who received a 150-mg dosage of CBD and those who got a 600-mg dose.
In children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a kind of anxiety condition, CBD oil has been used to treat sleeplessness and anxiety safely.
CBD was also proven to be beneficial in individuals suffering from PTSD-related symptoms such as nightmares in a recent small research.
Other studies have shown that CBD may help those with social anxiety and other anxiety-related conditions.
Human proof of CBD's putative antidepressant properties is still limited, despite the fact that some individuals claim that CBD helps symptoms of depression.
Several studies, on the other hand, show that it may assist people with cannabis use problems lessen their depressive symptoms.
There is continuing research into the effects of CBD on anxiety and depression.
According to the trial, which is slated to be finished in April 2022, 150–300 mg of CBD a day for 12 weeks may reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in persons with bipolar illness.
3. May alleviate certain cancer-related symptoms
Cannabis sativa (CBD) may be able to alleviate some of the adverse effects and symptoms of cancer therapy, such as nausea and vomiting.
177 cancer patients who had not found relief from pain medication were studied in an earlier research to see how CBD and THC affected them.
Those who got an extract containing both chemicals saw a substantial decrease in pain compared to those who just received THC extract.
According to a meta-analysis of five trials, Sativex may be able to ease cancer-related discomfort in certain patients.
The effects of cannabis and cannabinoids like CBD on cancer-related nausea, discomfort, and reduced appetite are still being studied, but results thus far have been mixed.
Even though CBD may be beneficial for certain cancer patients, additional study is required to establish if CBD should be taken more often to control cancer symptoms.
If you have cancer and are thinking about taking CBD or other cannabis-derived products, you should talk to your doctor first. For certain cancer patients, these products may be harmful, ineffective, or both.
4. May have neuroprotective properties
CBD's capacity to affect the endocannabinoid system and other brain-signaling systems may help neurological illnesses.
CBD is used to treat neurological illnesses including epilepsy and MS. Several studies in this area have showed promise.
Sativex reduces MS spasticity safely and effectively.
75% of 276 MS patients with drug-resistant spasticity had less spasms.
Researchers administered 214 patients with severe epilepsy 0.9–2.3 grams of CBD oil per pound (2–5 grams per kg). Their seizures decreased by 36.5%.
CBD oil decreased seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome compared to a placebo.
In both trials, several participants reported seizures, fever, and exhaustion after CBD administration.
CBD may also help treat other neurological illnesses.
CBD may enhance quality of life and sleep in Parkinson's disease patients, according to many studies.
Researchers say high-quality data is lacking. There isn't enough data to support using CBD to treat Parkinson's.
One CBD product is FDA-approved for treating seizure disorders.
Epidiolex, a prescription cannabidiol medication, was authorized by the FDA in 2018 to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome seizures.
Epidiolex obtained FDA clearance in 2020 to treat tuberous sclerosis complex seizures, a rare hereditary disorder that generates benign brain tumors.
5. May benefit heart health
CBD may reduce blood pressure, according to some study.
Hypertension increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome.
CBD may help high blood pressure patients, according to studies.
9 healthy guys took 600 mg of CBD oil in a short research. CBD lowered resting blood pressure compared to placebo.
In the same research, males underwent blood pressure-raising stress tests. The men's blood pressure rose less after a single dosage of CBD.
In another trial, 600 mg of CBD for 7 days led to substantial short-term blood pressure decreases compared to a placebo group. After 7 days, the impact faded.
After multiple dosages, CBD maintained lower blood pressure in response to stress than placebo.
Repeated CBD administration decreased arterial stiffness and enhanced blood flow compared to the placebo group.
These results are promising, but we need further research on CBD's heart health advantages.
6. Other potential benefits
CBD has been explored for treating health concerns outside those listed.
CBD may give the following health advantages, however further research is required.
Antipsychotics. CBD may reduce psychotic symptoms in persons with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, according to studies.
Drug rehab. CBD may relieve heroin addicts' anxiety and sadness.
Possible glioblastoma life extension. CBD and THC may help some patients with glioblastoma live longer, although evidence is limited.
Better sleep. CBD may assist certain sleep issues, but further study is required.