CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a derivative of marijuana considered to be therapeutic. This plant is becoming popular, and people are starting to understand that it works for several medical conditions. While several doctors and researchers are working on researching CBD, there is still a lot of information that is not being shared with the public. This blog will highlight 5 medical conditions that can be treated with CBD.
What is CBD?
CBD is a cannabinoid, a type of natural compound found in cannabis plants. Unlike its better-known cousin, THC, CBD does not cause any psychoactive effects. Instead, it has various health benefits, including reducing anxiety and improving sleep. It is available in various forms, including CBD oil, capsules, and edibles. However, the most popular method of consumption is via oils because they are easy to take.
CBD is generally safe to take, with a low risk of side effects. Yet, if you want to take CBD, you must speak to your doctor first, as it may interact with other medications.
How does CBD work? CBD interacts with receptors throughout your body to create its beneficial effects. These receptors belong to two different categories: cannabinoid and vanilloid.
The endocannabinoid system is vital in maintaining homeostasis or balance within the human body. When you consume something interacting with these receptors, your body responds by creating more of what they need. For example, when you eat a food containing CBD, your body may produce more helpful receptor protein than usual.
Five Medical Conditions That Can Be Treated With CBD
1. Pain
In recent decades, cannabis has become increasingly popular among people seeking natural treatments to alleviate pain. A study published in the journal Clinical Therapeutics found that patients suffering from neuropathic pain reported significant relief from taking CBD oil capsules compared to those taking a placebo.
Therefore, the researchers concluded that CBD could help treat some forms of chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain, which occurs when the peripheral nerves are damaged or inflamed.
Further, researchers believe CBD interacts with the body’s endogenous cannabinoids. These are chemicals produced naturally within the body that interact with the endocannabinoid systems — to provide pain relief.
2. Epilepsy
One of the most common uses of medicinal cannabis is managing epileptic seizures. A seizure is when the brain becomes electrically active at an inappropriate time, causing a person to lose consciousness. In severe cases, it can lead to death.
Epilepsy affects around 50 million people worldwide, according to WHO estimates, and one out of every 26 people suffers from this neurological disorder. There are many types of epilepsy, each with varying symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Research says traditional epilepsy treatments are ineffective for about 30% of epileptic patients. However, some evidence suggests that CBD may help reduce seizures. This makes CBD an exciting option for those looking for alternative therapies.
3. Anxiety and Depression
Estimation shows that between 40 and 60 percent of people suffer from depression at some point in their lives. It is also known that up to half of all people will experience anxiety at some stage.
People often link depression and anxiety together, but they are different. Anxiety is a feeling of fear or worry, whereas feelings of sadness or hopelessness characterize depression.
Several studies have shown that CBD can effectively treat both depression and anxiety. One study showed that CBD treated social anxiety disorder (SAD). Another study suggested that CBD might help treat PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder.
CBD works immediately without any significant adverse reactions. It’s not the case with most antidepressants that cause an avalanche of unwanted symptoms. So, most patients end up choosing CBD over conventional drugs.
4. Insomnia
Insomnia is another condition that CBD can help treat. According to research, CBD helps improve sleep quality and quantity.
According to some studies, CBD oil may improve sleep quality. A study found that taking 600 mg of CBD 30 minutes before bedtime helped people fall asleep faster and sleep better.
In another small study, researchers gave CBD to 12 healthy adults and measured how long participants could fall asleep. After receiving CBD, it took subjects 16% less time to fall asleep than those who received a placebo.
Another study found that CBD might promote sleep by influencing certain areas of your brain involved in thinking, learning, and memory.
Researchers also conducted several experiments on mice, rats, and cells in a lab dish. They discovered that CBD could influence the activity of neurons in three different parts of the brain. This effect seemed to increase over time. When scientists repeated the experiment in rats, they noticed similar results.
5. High Blood Pressure
People with high blood pressure often suffer from stress because it makes them anxious. They find themselves worrying about work deadlines, bills, and family issues. This constant worry leads to high blood pressure.
A recent study found that CBD may lower blood pressure. In that study, researchers studied the effects of CBD on hypertensive rats. The study concluded that CBD lowered blood pressure in these animals. These findings suggest that CBD may be helpful as a new therapeutic approach for hypertension.
Conclusion
CBD has several health benefits. It can help you manage pain, anxiety, insomnia, and high blood pressure. You don’t need to take large doses of CBD to reap its benefits. A few drops of CBD tincture under the tongue should do the trick.
