While it might be new to our health food shop shelves, CBD has been around for quite some time. The earliest evidence of medicinal use can be traced as far back as 1400-2000 BC. And while CBD was discovered more than 20 years before THC, THC has dominated scientific research. It’s only now that research is getting underway to determine the positive benefits of CBD.
CBD stands for cannabidiol and it is one of around 80 chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, it isn’t a psychoactive element, so it won’t get you high. People who want reassurance about this should make sure that they always buy from suppliers that produce lab-tested CBD oil. Good Hemp is one company that does so and, thankfully, others are following suit too. Aside from making sure that their oils are THC-free, these forward thinking companies also test the raw materials for pesticides and toxins, and make sure that the overall CBD radio is correct in every bottle.
Studies into the use of CBD oil to treat medical conditions are still ongoing, but the early results are promising. While it should in no way be considered a miracle, cure-all treatment, there is evidence that it can help with some of the following conditions. This offers some promise for patients living with certain ailments and conditions. While I’m not a Doctor I know first hand just how helpful CBD products really are. If you are looking for organic CBD try these organic gummies!
CBD oil for anxiety
One of the most common reasons that users turn to CBD oil is to help alleviate their anxiety or depression. Many users report that high-quality CBD oils make them feel more relaxed and can help them to manage some of their symptoms.
How CBD helps anxiety isn’t fully known, but it is thought that CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors. These are found in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. It is thought that CBD alters serotonin signals, which are linked to mood and mental health. Low serotonin levels are linked to anxiety and depression.
CBD oil for insomnia
In addition to helping individuals with mental health problems, CBD can also help individuals manage insomnia. From occasional sleepless nights to long term insomnia, just a small dose of CBD at night can help.
A 2019 study found that 66.7% of participants reported better sleep when taking 25mg of CBD every day. Of the 72 subjects, 47 suffered from anxiety and 25 suffered from insomnia before taking part in the study. 79.2% reported lower anxiety levels when taking CBD.
CBD oil for workout recovery
The latest craze to hit the workout industry could be CBD. Move over creatine protein shakes, there’s a new recovery agent in town. Since CBD is thought to offer anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce pain, it could be just what you need to recover after a gruelling workout. Pain after a workout is linked entirely to inflammation, so CBD could help to alleviate this. You could even use a CBD muscle balm whilst massaging your muscles, to receive the benefits of both. CBD can help athletes to train harder with fewer down rest days. It could even make training more effective and reduce the risk of injury. Elite athletes need to choose the correct CBD oil, as one containing THC would show up in a drugs screening and this could derail their career. The majority of UK CBD oils are offered with a composition analysis certificate so that you know what you are taking does not contain any THC.
As outlined above, athletes could also benefit from improved sleep following a workout. Exercising in the evening can make it difficult to fall asleep at night, but CBD could offer a non-habit forming alternative.
CBD oil for pain relief
Before you reach for the paracetamol, in future, you could be reaching for your CBD drops (which you can find by searching for Promise Drops CBD or something similar). CBD has been studied for its pain-relieving properties. Cannabis is already used in some medical settings to help alleviate pain. When we isolate the CBD compound, we find that it can also be effective for pain relief. In a study in rats, CBD was found to help reduce sciatic nerve pain. Another study found rats experienced less pain following a surgical incision when using CBD.
For conditions that are caused by inflammation, such as arthritis, there is some hope that it could help to lessen the symptoms. It has also been shown to help reduce spasticity and nerve pain in people with MS.
Is it addictive?
It’s an obvious concern that something related to cannabis could be habit-forming, but this isn’t the case. It is neither addictive nor toxic in high doses. If a user were to take too much, the effects would be mild and short-lived. These might include dry mouth or lightheadedness.
Rather than taking a one-dose-fits-all approach, users can instead find what works for them. Most will start with 2 drops of CBD oil under the tongue twice a day. This can then be increased to achieve the desired effect. You won’t build up a tolerance and need to increase your dose, either. And if you decide to stop taking it, there are no known withdrawal symptoms. This post goes into more detail.
With so many pharmaceutical drugs coming with a long list of negative side effects, it’s easy to see why many people are turning to CBD oil to treat their ailments.
