CBD is a compound found in the cannabis plant and is short for cannabidiol. It’s often included in oils and edibles and can result in a relaxing or calming feeling. CBD, unlike THC, is not psychoactive. CBD, by itself, will not get you high. Granted, some people respond differently to CBD than others, but for the most part, CBD will not have the same effect on you that THC will.
While there are still many studies underway trying to give us a better idea of what exactly the benefits of CBD are, however, there have been some studies already and we do have some ideas of what kind of health benefits people are reporting that comes from CBD.
A study published by the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that CBD dramatically reduced chronic inflammation and pain in mice and rats. The study concluded that there is a strong possibility that CBD could go on to provide a new treatment to patients experiencing chronic pain.
Due to the fact that CBD is so similar to many of the chemicals created in our bodies, they integrate better than many other drugs. Bradley E. Alger, a leading scientist in the study of endocannabinoids with a PhD from Harvard in experimental psychology, has said: “With complex actions in our immune system, nervous system, and virtually all of the body’s organs, the endocannabinoids are literally a bridge between body and mind. By understanding this system, we begin to see a mechanism that could connect brain activity and states of physical health and disease.”
A study published in Addictive Behaviors discovered that people who smoked and used inhalers containing CBD would smoke fewer cigarettes than normal, and had far fewer nicotine cravings.
Alternatively, a study published in Neurotherapeutics found that CBD has a lot of potential in being a promising treatment for individuals with opioid addiction. This study also found that CBD was able to reduce some symptoms common with substance abuse disorders. Including anxiety, mood-related symptoms like pain, and insomnia.
Although there is more research necessary, the preliminary studies are promising.
Research published in 2016 by Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation found that CBD can lead to lessen the inflammation in the pancreas caused by type 1 diabetes. In the same year, a study published in Lisbon, Portugal, found that CBD may reduce inflammation and protect from or delay the development of Type 1 diabetes.
A study conducted in 2013 took information from over 4,000 participants on the effect of CBD on metabolic systems compared users to those who don’t use and those who used to use. Findings suggested that current users had higher blood levels of “good cholesterol.” In the same year, a study of over 700 members found that, on average, regular cannabis users had increased levels of “good cholesterol” and lower levels of “bad cholesterol.”
In 2014, a study published by the Journal of Clinical Investigation discovered that CBD helps lower the production of sebum, sebum production can lead to acne. This is primarily from the anti-inflammatory effect that CBD has on the body. Sebum is a substance that is oily in nature, and when the body produces too much it causes acne.
Oral use of CBD for anxiety was studied and found that the effects of CBD have shown to consistently reduce anxiety. In 2012 there was research that assessed a number of international studies and reviews that indicated CBD had a great effect at reducing stress and anxiety and called for more clinical trials.
And the list goes on. A quick google search will show you this subject has been studied and is being studied as we try to get a better idea of what exactly the benefits of CBD are from a health standpoint. At current, the most common way to take CBD is through oil, and edibles are popular as well. You can also find flowers and other products with some % of CBD and THC. Remember, nothing is conclusive yet, and everyone’s body responds differently to things. Keep that in mind if you’re interested in experimenting with CBD as a way to treat any of the things mentioned above. Regardless, one thing is certain, and that’s the fact that CBD does seem to have great potential when it comes to helping many of the issues we’re still struggling to handle today.
