Traditional healers and ancient medicine experienced CBD benefits firsthand. Thousands of years ago, the stigma around CBD and cannabis as a whole was not common. People prescribed and used the plant without any reservation.
Modern science has now discovered these benefits, accelerating the amount of research catered to CBD. As people become aware of CBD benefits, the more they are likely to make it a part of their lives.
As legal constrictions around cannabis/marijuana/CBD change in Canada and other places around the world, more CBD products are popping up. From dispensaries to online shops, CBD-based products are not hard to find. You can find oils, tinctures, edibles, capsules/pills, lotions, vape pens, and more.
Prepared from hemp-derived CBD, such products carry a concentrated form of all the benefits that cannabis provides. The catch is that it doesn’t get you high. This makes CBD perfect for those who don’t necessarily care for the euphoria induced by THC.
But that is not all as CBD has much more to offer. Here are some CBD benefits that might take you by surprise.
CBD Benefits
1. It is an anti-inflammatory compound
When it comes to CBD benefits, its anti-inflammatory property is one of the most widely-known ones. Based on anecdotal proof, this certain CBD benefit has been studied numerous times. The results of these studies further legitimized the benefits people were reporting.
When you take CBD, it systemically reacts with the endocannabinoid system and reduces inflammation. This particular therapeutic benefit is wide-ranging, as inflammation is associated with various diseases.
That is why it is effective against acne, joint pain as a result of arthritis and other conditions.
2. It is anti-anxiety
Weed or marijuana is already an established therapy for anxiety and stress. In recent studies, CBD has also been found to have properties that can potentially relieve anxiety.
Studies have shown CBD to reduce anxiety consistently. This is especially true when it’s present in higher concentrations. In both human and animal model studies, CBD has shown to have effects on both the paralimbic and limbic areas in the brain.
One animal study, in particular, suggested that the manipulation of the endocannabinoid system is how CBD benefits against anxiety. According to the researchers, the augmentation of the ECS is what mitigated the physical and mental effects of stress and anxiety.
With that, CBD is considered to be effective in reducing anxiety.
3. Keeps your skin healthy
Within our bodies, the skin is the one organ that contains the most number of CB2 receptors. This means that when CBD is applied to the skin, it has therapeutic properties that benefit the skin.
One of the main topical CBD benefits is its potential to treat and reduce acne. CB2 receptors in the skin are connected to the production of oil in the sebaceous glands. In acne-prone skin, sebum production is excessive and can lead to clogged pores.
CBD benefits this by reducing sebum production. In turn, it lowers the risk of pores getting clogged and inflamed, reducing acne.
CBD is also considered to be a strong antioxidant. In fact, some claim it to be stronger than vitamins C and E. This makes it effective against repairing damage caused by pollutants and free radicals.
4. Analgesic properties
Along with being an anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety compound, CBD also has analgesic properties. This means that oral and/or topical administration of CBD can relieve or reduce pain.
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. In order to do that, the ECS regulates a variety of functions in the body. This includes digestion, the immune system, pain, appetite, and sleep.
CBD can reduce chronic pain by interacting with receptors, reducing inflammation and impacting the ECS. An oral spray called Sativex containing both THC and CBD is used in several countries to treat pain in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
5. CBD benefits against depression and mood disorders
Persistent sadness, inappetence, and loss of interest in routine and other activities are signs of clinical depression. Usually, this is treated with behavioral therapy and medication. While the latter certainly helps, it can have some side effects.
This is the reason why many people taking medication for depression and mood disorders are turning to find more natural alternatives. CBD is considered one of these alternatives and works by reacting with the ECS.
The network of neurotransmitters in the ECS works similarly to the way the serotonin system does. Some research claims that by reacting with the ECS, CBD has an impact on the serotonin levels. As a result, it can be used effectively for reducing symptoms related to depression and mood disorders.
6. It might have neuroprotective effects
The fact that CBD reacts with and acts on the ECS makes it potentially beneficial for people with neurological disorders. By protecting neurons, it decreases the instances of them malfunctioning.
Based on this, CBD was extensively studied to evaluate its effectiveness in treating neurological disorders like epilepsy. Based on the results of various studies and clinical trials, a drug called Epidiolex was approved by the FDA. It is used as a treatment for seizure disorders in children.
Other than that, CBD is also under the scope to be tested for its effectiveness against other disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disorder.
7. Beneficial for the heart
Last but not least, CBD has been linked to having benefits for the cardiovascular system. This includes CBD’s ability to lower blood pressure.
There are some studies that suggest that CBD can act as a vasorelaxant. This means that when it enters the bloodstream, CBD can relax the veins and arteries, expanding them and reducing the tension on their walls.
This allows the heart to relax and work less hard to pump blood. Consequently, this makes the circulatory system more effective in regulating the blood flow and keeping the blood pressure normal.
While these CBD benefits are some of the leading ones, the power of the compound is not limited to these. It provides a number of other benefits that still need more in-depth research and investigation to be proven.
With time and increased interest in CBD, it won’t take long for even these to be recognized.