Medical Marijuana comprises of 104 chemical compounds called cannabinoids. CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is an essential component of medical marijuana and is extracted from the hemp plant. CBD has been subject to significant scrutiny owing to its controversial nature; however, according to the WHO, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential in humans.
This is because CBD is not psychoactive, i.e., it does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the chemical compound responsible for inducing psychoactive effects like intoxication and a sense of euphoria amongst users.
CBD oil comes with multiple benefits. For this reason, it is now being utilized to treat an array of physical and mental health conditions. However, a question that is often raised concerning the usefulness of CBD oil addresses its safety. Commonly reported side effects of CBD to include fatigue and irritability. CBD can increase the levels of Coumadin in the blood, which works as a blood thinner.
Despite the side effects, medical science suggests that CBD oil can help with many processes. These include digestive and heart health, reduction in pain and inflammation, and relief in sleep, stress, and anxiety, amongst others.
The following are the top 5 benefits of CBD oil that you cannot afford to ignore.
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Pain and Inflammation Management
Harvard Medical School, in a 2006 online letter, quoted that chronic inflammation is responsible for the onset of many diseases and ailments. So, this proves that reducing inflammation reduces the subsequent risk of developing diseases.
CBD oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which can help alleviate pain, especially muscle and arthritis associated discomfort. It activates the receptors in the Endocannabinoid System, which, according to experts, can result in significant pain reduction. It is recommended that massaging an inflamed or injured area with CBD oil can heal and repair the damage with the help of antioxidants present in the oil.
According to the results of a study from the European Journal of Pain, CBD, when applied on the skin of an animal model, exhibited reduced pain and inflammation stemming from arthritis. Another research study demonstrated CBD’s action of inhibiting inflammatory and neuropathic pain – two of the most difficult variants of chronic pain to treat.
These claims were further backed by a 2017 research publication titled “The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids,” which noted a significant reduction in pain symptoms in patients treated with cannabinoids.
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Sleeping Aid
Sleeping problems are a common occurrence. Everyone from children to adults, combat sleep disturbances. These issues are more frequently reported amongst the older demographic owing to chemical imbalances in the body as they age.
If the issue lasts for a few days, it is not a major concern. However, if the condition persists, it can take a toll on your health and wellbeing. Additionally, a lack of sleep negatively impacts your day-to-day functioning and productivity.
According to the findings of a 2015 study by Jama Network, synthetic cannabinoids, dronabinol, and nabilone induced better sleep and restfulness in patients. CBD oil MN helps those struggling with sleeping problems, especially the elderly. This is done by calming their nerves and inducing a healthier and more stable sleep pattern, eliminating the need to consume harmful sleep medication.
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Anxiety and Stress Relief
Perhaps the most famously quoted benefit of CBD oil is stress relief. None of us are strangers to stress. The fact that that mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the United States is enough to assess the seriousness of the situation.
Depression and anxiety are clinically diagnosed with ailments. Globally about 300 million people suffer from depression, according to the WHO. Depression harbors a crippling impact on your wellbeing and functioning. However, relying on medications to manage it is not the answer to the problem. You need a holistic method of tackling the issue. This can be done with the help of CBD oil, as it is a safe and natural way to control stress levels with promising results and minimal side effects.
The endocannabinoid system plays a critical role in regulating behavioral responses to stress. A 2014 study in the journal CNS and Neurological Disorders Drug Targets, claimed that CBD has the excellent psychiatric potential for use as an antidepressant and an anxiolytic.
A 2015 study on the topic highlighted the effect of CBD on individuals diagnosed with Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder. The study noted that a dose of CBD could decrease the onset of anxiety during a public speaking assignment. According to the results of previous studies, CBD use reported reduced anxiety and cognitive impairment in comparison to placebos.
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Healthy Digestive Aid
Experts state that CBD oil helps in digestion by stimulating the appetite. Cannabinoid receptors play an essential role in regulating the body’s feeding behavior. CBD also helps ease the feeling of nausea or vomiting, which is especially helpful for those undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy for chronic illness.
Additionally, CBD has been shown to decrease spasmodic activity, which aids those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, thereby enabling them to combat symptoms such as pain, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and gas.
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Heart Health Maintenance
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death across the globe, claiming an estimated 18 million lives per annum. The American Heart Association notes that every 40 seconds, one American has a heart attack.
Those at risk of cardiovascular diseases commonly depict symptoms such as raised blood pressure, lipids, glucose, and increased weight or obesity.
A prominent benefit of CBD oil is its effect on blood pressure. High blood pressure escalates the risk of heart attack and stroke. Research suggests that subjects administered with CBD recorded lower blood pressure and the probability of heart disease. The reason behind this blood pressure reducing feature can be because of antioxidants and stress-reducing elements found in CBD oil.
Soaring cholesterol levels are a common finding amongst the masses. There is a multitude of reasons behind the issue. These include unhealthy diet consumption, sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, smoking, and more. High cholesterol levels take a toll on your health by contributing to many other ailments.
According to the results of a 2011 study by NCBI, CBD affects metabolism-related genes that regulate cholesterol levels in microglial cells in the human body. CBD oil prevents the accumulation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, thereby keeping you safe from other illnesses as well.
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Parting Thoughts
CBD oil is a beneficial tool that can be used to manage an array of health problems. However, more thorough research is needed to provide sufficient high-quality evidence so that it may be used to set effective doses.
At present, CBD is available as an unregulated supplement, which makes it challenging to determine whether or not you are taking the right amount. CBD oil is quickly evolving into a favorite among many, primarily owing to its benefits. What’s your take on this? We would appreciate if you also provide your suggestions on its use in the comments section below.
