CBD Oil: Six Key Health Benefits Backed by Science
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most popular remedies for various illnesses today. It is also among over 100 cannabinoids, or chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. On the other hand, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis and is responsible for that “high.” It must be noted that, as opposed to THC, CBD has no psychoactive properties. This makes it favorable to those who seek cannabis’ health benefits but not its mind-altering effects.
Here are six of the most important scientifically established health benefits offered by CBD oil:
Pain Reduction
The human body is composed of various specialized systems, one of which is the endocannabinoid system, which acts on pain. In your nervous system, there are many cannabinoid receptors to which neurotransmitters known as endocannabinoids, which are produced produced naturally by your body, attach. According to studies, CBD helps improve endocannabinoid receptor activity, hence reducing pain.
Mood Regulation
There are many pharmaceutical drugs that treat anxiety and depression, but these are known to come with a variety of side effects ranging from insomnia to sexual dysfunction and more. Furthermore, these medicines tend to be addictive and could cause substance abuse. In contrast, CBD oil has been proven to be effective against depression and anxiety but without any harmful side effects. These mood regulation advantages of CBD are related to the cannabinoid’s activity with serotonin receptors in the brain, improving mood and social behavior.
Cancer Symptom Reduction
Research has demonstrated that CBD oil can reduce the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment, including nausea and vomiting, and pain. A study involving 177 cancer patients who dealt with pain did not find relief in other types of analgesics they were given. However, those who were treated with extracts that contained both CBD and THC reported great relief, as opposed to those who were only given THC and did not enjoy the same results.
Acne Control
Acne is a common skin condition caused by many different factors, such as bacteria, genetics and sebum (oily skin secretions) overproduction. More recent studies have shown that CBD oil can help treat acne through its anti-inflammatory and anti-sebum properties.
Improved Heart Health
In one study, researchers treated nine healthy males with a single dose of 600mg of CBD oil and found that it reduced their resting blood pressure, while those in the placebo group did not experience the same result. The positive effects of CBD oil on heart health is associated with the cannabinoid’s ability to control high blood pressure, a known contributor to stroke, heart attack, metabolic syndrome, and other serious ailments.
Neuroprotective Ability
Lastly, research indicate that CBD’s activity with the brain’s signaling systems enables it to help improve neurological conditions, such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Although this area still needs more research, results have so far shown great promise.