Did you know that 1 out of every 7 people uses CBD products in America alone? That’s according to a survey in 2019, a year after the federal legalization of CBD. Products infused with CBD oil benefits like oral tinctures, topicals, gummies, vaping oil, etc.
The majority of the users depend on CBD for pain relief. Others use it for anxiety, sleep, arthritis, and other conditions. These are legal in most states in the US, with two major conditions – that the THC level should be lower than 0.3% and CBD should come from hemp.
Users vouch that CBD is extremely helpful in multiple health conditions – from everyday problems like sleeplessness and appetite issues to arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Yet, you will be surprised to know that a large number of people are not even aware of CBD benefits!
So, today we are going to talk about the various health benefits of CBD oil, based on user feedback and initial studies. We will also tell you about the possible side effects of CBD and drug interactions and how to avoid them in simple steps. So keep reading!
Health Benefits of CBD Oil
Based on preclinical trials, it can be said that CBD has several medical benefits, though we still need advanced studies and clinical trials to prove them. Until then, CBD should always accompany proper food and drug administration for the best effects on your health.
One of the most popular ways to consume CBD is in the form of broad or full spectrum CBD oil, taken sublingually. It is absorbed by the body quickly and activates the ECS or endocannabinoid system to give you a number of benefits. Take a look at CBD oil benefits.
Pain Relief
A 2017 study showed that a whopping 95% of people suffer from body pain, while 86% of people struggle to deal with headaches. No wonder the largest section of CBD users takes it for pain relief! Initial studies show that cannabidiol (CBD) has anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies further show that CBD affects the activity of endocannabinoid receptors, interacts with neurotransmitters, and reduces inflammation. This makes it helpful in alleviating chronic pain. It can be highly effective in relieving pain from malignant diseases.
It also inhibits pro-inflammatory activity in your body. Researchers agree that the combination of THC and CBD is more effective in relieving pain as compared to CBD isolates. That is why full spectrum CBD oil with the combined effects of cannabinoids is popular.
The majority of CBD oil users take to CBD to help manage pain and inflammation resulting from different health conditions. Pain can be caused by injuries and wounds, surgery, inflammatory joint pain, cancer, arthritis, and other issues – and CBD might help manage them.
Reduces Anxiety and Depression
Nobody likes to talk about mental health conditions but it is one of the biggest afflictions in the world, including the US. There are 284 million people diagnosed with anxiety and another 264 million with depression. Studies show that CBD Oil reduces anxiety and depression.
Commonly, doctors prescribe standard medicines and treatment methods to manage the symptoms of anxiety and depression. But pharmaceutical drugs may lead to several side effects like drowsiness, low libido, agitation, etc. That’s why many people dislike them.
To keep away these side effects and prevent developing addiction, a large number of people use CBD. One of the major CBD oil benefits is that it can be a natural solution to anxiety and depression management. It is also effective in other mental health conditions.
Preclinical trials show that CBD has a positive impact on neuropsychiatric disorders, affecting the diverse actions of the central nervous system and the brain’s serotonin receptors. It aids neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Thus, CBD can reduce many conditions.
Drug Addiction
It is evident from preliminary studies that CBD can have a positive impact on people dealing with addiction issues. It can modify certain brain circuits associated with addictions and help combat psychostimulants, opioids, nicotine, and alcohol dependency.
Pilot studies have shown great results in reducing nicotine addiction among subjects who participated in such research. Studies have also shown that CBD can help deal with drug addiction. People using cocaine, heroin, and other drugs have found help using CBD.
Research further shows that CBD is also helpful in dealing with alcohol addiction and its effects. This compound also helps reduce mental health conditions like stress, agitation, dejection, etc., which often lead to the consumption of alcohol and drugs, thus reducing addiction.
Interestingly, there is a common myth that CBD can cause addiction and high. This misconception discourages people from taking CBD to experience CBD oil benefits. But CBD is not a psychoactive compound, unlike THC. So it is neither intoxicating nor addictive.
Reduces Cancer Related Symptoms
There are many speculations regarding the effects of CBD on cancer and its symptoms. A large number of people with cancer have started using CBD-infused products. Users vouch that it has given them the chance to live a normal life while dealing with the lethal disease.
There’s evidence that cannabinoids, including CBD, have the ability to reduce tumors and destroy aggressive cancer cells. CBD can be deduced that CBD might be able to help reduce cancer, though conclusive proof is required to back its efficacy in treating cancer.
However, CBD oil benefits do not just stop there. Cancer itself comes with different types of side effects, mainly caused by medicines and treatment options like chemotherapy. Side effects include pain, nausea, loss of appetite, drowsiness, etc.
CBD is known to help manage the severe side effects of cancer and its treatment. Studies show that it not only alleviates vomiting and boosts appetite but also reduces anxiety or depression resulting from cancer. It even boosts the potency of cancer medicines.
Helps to Reduce the Nerve Pain
Around 8-10% of people aged 30 years and above suffer from nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain or neuralgia. It results from health conditions that affect the nerves and carry the sensation of pain right to your brain. This sensation differs from regular pain.
Though further studies are required to prove the effectiveness of CBD in treating neuropathic pain, preliminary research suggests that this natural product has the therapeutic properties to help with pain without reducing the functions of the nervous system.
Studies on animals using both oral administration and spinal injection of CBD have been conducted. These studies further show that CBD can alleviate nerve pain. Scientists claim that this compound binds to glycine receptors that regulate pain signal speed.
However, further studies are required on human subjects to prove the efficacy of CBD in the treatment of nerve pain. There’s almost no existing study involving CBD isolate to test its distinct impact on neuropathic pain, though users seem to have found great help.
Reduces Acne
Acne is a skin problem that affects about 85% of people after the onset of puberty till they reach their thirties. It can even hit you later. Acne is a problem that can damage the self-confidence of people. It can cause depression and body issues – besides pain.
Besides using standard acne treatment options, many people suffering from these acne problems are now shifting to CBD. Many brands produce CBD-infused topical products like creams, lotions, serums, etc., which can be used for acne reduction.
CBD is considered beneficial for acne primarily because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It also inhibits the activities of overactive sebaceous glands and reduces the overproduction of sebum from the oil glands. These properties are proven to help in acne control.
CBD-infused topicals have now become a safe option for people suffering from acne. Since inflammation and sebum production primarily contribute to acne, along with other factors, CBD seems to have the potential to be an efficient acne medicine after more research.
Reduce the Risk of Heart Diseases
In today’s world, heart diseases seem to have become extremely common. High blood pressure, cholesterol, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, valve conditions – heart conditions seem to affect someone in every household. Many of these people use CBD.
Many CBD users vouch that using this natural health supplement has given them a new lease on life. To support such anecdotal evidence, scientists are currently trying to find the health benefits of CBD oil. Preliminary studies have shown some promise in this area.
Recent studies have found some links between CBD and blood circulation, and they show that CBD can lower high blood pressure, even with a single dosage. Bringing your blood pressure under control is an excellent way of taking care of your heart’s health.
Normal blood pressure means reduced chances of heart attack and stroke. It also reduces stress and anxiety that can cause blood pressure. Scientists have found that it can reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell destruction, associated with heart health.
Help with Parkins’s Disease
Neurological degeneration is not uncommon among aging people. One such condition is Parkinson’s Disease that harms the nervous system. Its major symptoms include tremors of hands and legs, balance problems, and slow movements due to muscle stiffness.
Ask CBD users dealing with Parkinson’s Disease and they will tell you how much they have been helped by this product. CBD can help reduce muscle spasms and restore mobility in people with neurological disorders. Multiple studies have shown these properties.
CBD has been found to reduce tremors and improve mobility and muscle spasticity in a number of other neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, as well as other health issues, injuries, or even age, which may lead to troubled movements among many.
CBD also has neuroprotective properties. This means it has shown promise to reduce the progression of neurodegenerative conditions. CBD oil has made a positive change to the lives of many PD patients and has given them a chance to live with dignity.
Help With Treating Seizures
People who get seizure attacks have to live their lives waiting for a sudden change in their brain activities leading to an attack. It can happen without any warning. People who suffer regularly from seizure attacks are likely suffering from a condition called epilepsy.
In addition to conventional treatment options suggested by doctors to deal with seizures, many people have now shifted to CBD oil. CBD users with epilepsy have noticed a drastic drop in the frequency of seizure episodes after using this product.
There are studies to back these anecdotes and claims, too. It has been found that CBD performs this function by interacting with the receptions of the endocannabinoid system. It normalizes the rhythm in your brain, often caused by different neurological conditions.
CBD is not just used by human beings to reduce episodes of seizure attacks. CBD oil decreases the frequency of seizures in animals, too. Parents of cats and dogs have seen excellent results by introducing a small dosage of CBD to the lives of their fur babies.
Help with Diabetes
Every year, 1.6 million people die from diabetes. The majority of the people suffering from this condition have Type II diabetes. The standard treatment procedure for diabetes involves allopathic medication. Some patients also need to take insulin to stay alive and healthy.
Interestingly, many diabetic patients have now started using CBD. They claim that ever since they started using CBD, the effects of their original course of treatment have improved drastically. Of course, this is just anecdotal evidence that we are talking about here.
Studies suggest that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. Since T-II diabetes is an inflammatory condition, you can expect CBD to help manage the condition and its symptoms. By managing ECS activities, CBD boosts your body’s ability to absorb insulin.
CBD also controls obesity, manages stress, and maintains hormonal balance, all of which are required for the proper management of diabetes. It even reduces resistin that can cause insulin resistance. Scientists are trying to find the effectiveness of CBD on diabetes
Helps to Treat Skin Conditions
CBD has managed to make its own space in every industry – including skincare. A wide range of skin products is now available on the market, all of which are infused with CBD. These topical products like creams, oils, serums, etc., are directly applied to the skin.
CBD has shown excellent results in managing common skin problems like redness, swelling, and itching. This is primarily due to the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. Quite obviously, CBD skin oil and topical products have become extremely popular.
Skin problems like eczema and psoriasis respond well to the aunty-inflammatory properties of CBD. Thanks to its strength as a potent antioxidant, CBD also speeds up the healing process. It has the potential to reverse damages caused by pollutants, the sun, etc.
Helps to Maintain Healthy Bones
CBD is known to have healing effects on bones, which makes it an excellent supplement choice if you have bone problems or have recently faced an injury or fracture. While further studies are required, preliminary studies indicate its bone-building capabilities.
CBD can maintain the strength and health of your bones. It can boost the development of the collagenous matrix, and on the basis of this, bone tissues get new mineralization. This results in stronger bones in the body over time, along with their quick healing.
What’s interesting is that if you consume CBD during the healing time, your bones become harder to break. It also lowers the chances of age-induced bone conditions like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. For that, it inhibits the enzymes that harm bone compounds.
Reduce the Risk of Obesity
Studies have shown that those who use CBD regularly have lower BMIs and smaller waists. The risk of obesity has also been found to be lower among CBD users. A survey involving 50000 participants showed that CBD users are 1/3 times less likely to be obese.
Further research is required to understand its exact effect on body weight. However, some studies show that CBD boosts metabolism, which is essential in keeping obesity at bay. It is to be noted that this same function can also increase your appetite drastically.
Another study to understand CBD’s role in the interaction of the body with fat shows a promising property. It is suggested that CBD helps to break down white fat into brown fat, which is easier to burn off. CBD is also helpful in breaking fats down more efficiently.
Help Reducing Stress
Everyone deals with stress on a daily basis. From deadlines to health issues, there’s always something to worry about. This affects our physical and mental health in more ways than we can count or care to admit. In such situations, CBD can be a helpful way out.
Many people use CBD-infused products such as oils and gummies to help manage everyday stress, feel more relaxed, and get better sleep to improve their focus. There are many studies and surveys that show the positive effects of CBD on daily stress.
Studies show that CBD can modulate serotonergic transmission and reverse stress and anxiety-like behaviors. Although it does not affect the levels of serotonin, it has been found to have an impact on how the brain responds to serotonin. CBD also helps you to relax.
Helps for Digestion
Your digestive health can benefit greatly from the use of CBD. It may be prescribed as a digestive aid and boost your gut health for an overall positive effect on your body. It can be said that CBD is a good supplement for your gut to keep away several problems or disorders.
People with digestive disorders using CBD have found great help from the product. It can modulate the activities of cannabinoid receptors and helps with many problems, from appetite issues to salivation. It even affects satiety to boost a healthy eating habit.
CBD users also claim that they have found relief from problems like a bloated feeling or the swelling of the stomach. Many people with problems like constipation, abdominal pain, etc., love to use CBD. Studies also show that it can help with IBS or other severe conditions.
Side Effects of CBD Oil
CBD products are considered safe as they are a natural solution. Most users do not face intolerance of any kind towards CBD. However, if you are new to CBD life, you may face some temporary side effects which go away over time with prolonged usage.
Side effects of CBD include:
- Fatigue and sleepiness: For some subjects, CBD products, especially full spectrum ones, are known to cause somnolence and tiredness.
- Change in appetite and body weight: Research shows that CBD can increase food cravings, and hence, a consequent weight gain.
- Diarrhea and vomiting: Studies show that CBD can lead to stomach problems, nausea, and frequent puking due to toxicity.
A few other problems that some new users face include dry mouth, light-headedness cough, reddened eyes, etc. However, these are only temporary problems that go away as your body starts to get used to the effects of CBD and learns to handle them.
It is possible to keep these symptoms at bay by choosing a small dosage at the beginning instead of shocking your body. You can consult your doctor or refer to the brand’s recommendations regarding dosage as a new user and gradually increase the intake.
How CBD Oil Interacts With other Meds?
It has been found that CBD has the potential to interact with other drugs, altering the way your body processes them or how they affect you. The primary reason behind this is that CBD’s metabolism requires CYP450, an enzyme family that metabolizes drugs.
When you take any medicine, your gut and liver break it down so that your body can absorb it. CYP450 plays an essential role in this. But some substances speed up or slow down the work of CYP450 – and CBD is one such substance, along with other cannabinoids.
CYP3A4, which is a member of the CYP450 family, is particularly affected by CBD. CYP3A4 helps metabolize the majority of prescription drugs. So CBD may slow down the process of digesting these medicines and there will be too much medication in your system.
Some medicines inhibit the functions of CYP450. If you are taking such drugs, the enzymes will not work properly to metabolize CBD. So, if you are already taking some medicines or even supplements, you should consult your doctor before starting CBD.
It is only recommended that you use CBD as a supplementary medication and not replace your traditional medicines. In that case, your doctor’s recommendations are a must to determine whether your medicines or the dosage need to be changed.
CBD may interact with:
- Antidepressants
- Anxiolytics
- Tranquilizers
- Anticonvulsants
- Antiarrhythmic meds
- Antipsychotic drugs
- Antituberculosis agents
- Antifungal drugs
- Immunosuppressants
- Analgesic drugs
- Macrolide antibiotics
- Antiepileptic drugs
- Antimicrobials
- Blood thinners
- Corticosteroids
- Anticancer drugs
- Vasodilator drugs
- Hormonal medicines, etc.
In general, you should be careful about drugs that come with a grapefruit warning. Grapefruits and other related citrus fruits contain a group of chemicals called furanocoumarins that can inhibit CYP3A4. CBD also functions in a similar way to inhibit drugs.
Final Thoughts
A large number of people have chosen CBD as an essential tool to bring balance to their lives. It helps many users experience renewed energy, focus, and overall improvement in physical and mental health. But it should not replace traditional medication.
Studies are yet to prove the complete efficacy of CBD, but anecdotes and preliminary studies support that it has therapeutic properties that can make it a great supplement to traditional medicines. Consult your doctor to ensure there’s no drug interaction or side effects.
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