CBD or cannabidiol is a much-celebrated constituent of the cannabis plant. But why exactly do people love it so much? Let’s take a look at some of the facts.
Treats Skin Conditions
Research indicates that CBD has a high potential for treating skin conditions.
A 2014 study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, for instance, found that CBD lowers the production of sebum, reducing the appearance and severity of acne. Investigators believe that CBD can help people with the condition by reducing the level of inflammation in the skin of the face.
May Help Improve Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition, usually managed by a combination of therapy and drugs. CBD, however, has also been shown to reduce symptoms.
In a March 2015 review, researchers concluded that CBD has effects similar to anti-psychotic drugs, making it a possible candidate for treating many serious mental health issues, including schizophrenia.
Fights Multi-Drug-Resistant Bugs
CBD may contain factors that fight so-called multi-drug-resistant bugs, bacteria that have developed immunity to conventional antibiotics.
A 2011 study, for instance, found that the application of CBD could slow down the progression of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis in rats, suggesting that it either fights the bacteria directly or enhances the immune system.
Reduces Oxidative Stress
The human metabolism keeps the body in a permanent state of what researchers call oxidative stress.
Oxygen is a highly reactive molecule, which makes it both ideal for life to derive energy and extremely dangerous. Oxygen tends to react with compounds in our bodies, creating byproducts that harm our overall health. Just like a sliced apple will turn brown if you leave it exposed to the air, so too do our bodies on a cellular level without adequate defenses in place.
CBD, however, may help to fight oxidative stress. Two studies have shown that CBD is both an antioxidant and a powerful brain-protecting agent, thanks to its ability to lower inflammation.
Reduces Symptoms Of Anxiety And Depression
A growing body of evidence now suggests that CBD is a powerful intervention for people with anxiety and depression. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety affects 18 percent of the US population every year, and depression 6 percent.
CBD, however, may be able to bolster the brain’s defenses against these conditions, cutting down on things like obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorders, PTSD, and generalized anxiety.
Reduces Symptoms Of Epilepsy
While there is strong evidence now that CBD offers users a host of benefits, the most established science of the health effects of the compound concerns epilepsy. A study in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, for instance, showed that CBD could reduce the frequency of seizures in people with the condition.
The evidence for the efficacy of CBD is now so strong that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved a range of CBD-based drugs.
Reducing In Chronic Pain
Many people must contend daily with chronic pain caused by conditions like fibromyalgia and cancer. Many standard painkillers fail to address the pain or come with a host of unpleasant side effects.
CBD, however, appears to relieve pain where standard medications cannot, and without some of the nasty side-effects that accompany many pain medications.
While human trials to prove pain relief are ongoing, research in animals suggests strongly that CBD can blunt pain responses.
Reduces Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a leading cause of depression (because of inflammation in the brain), cancer, heart disease, stroke, and aging in general. Substances that help to reduce inflammation, therefore, can reduce pain, risk of disease, and help people to feel more vibrant.
Research from the National Center of Biotechnology Information suggests that CBD might help to reduce the inflammation that results from chronic, degenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s, type 1 diabetes, and some autoimmune conditions.
Helps Fight Addiction
While CBD might come from the cannabis plant – a drug that was almost universally illegal until recently – research suggests that it might help to fight addiction.
Investigators reporting in Addictive Behaviours suggest that the compound might help tobacco smokers quit their habit by restoring normal, healthy chemistry to their brains. CBD, they argue, has the potential to reduce cravings and enhance willpower.
May Fight Cancer Pain
Cancer, unfortunately, can cause sufferers a significant degree of pain. Not only does the disease itself lead to discomfort, but so too does the treatment.
CBD, however, is a promising candidate for treating the pain associated with chemotherapy. A review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, for instance, found that CBD may be able to slow the progression of cancer around the body significantly.
Ready to try some for yourself? We’re here to help.
