Cannabidiol (CBD) is a product that’s derived from cannabis. It’s a type of cannabinoid, the chemicals naturally found in marijuana plants. Even though it comes from marijuana plants, CBD doesn’t create a “high” effect or any form of intoxication caused by another cannabinoid, known as THC.
There’s some controversy around cannabis products like CBD because of recreational marijuana use. But there’s growing awareness about the possible health benefits of CBD, says Zachary T Bader. Here’s what you need to know about potential medical uses of CBD and where the research stands:
Anxiety relief
CBD may be able to help you manage anxiety. Researchers think it may change how your brain’s receptors respond to serotonin, a chemical linked to mental health. Receptors are tiny proteins attached to your cells that receive chemical messages and help your cells respond to different stimuli. You can learn more about it from USA CBD Expo organized by Atlanta Traveler.
One study found that a 600mg dose of CBD helped people with social anxiety give a speech. Other early studies were done with animals have shown that CBD may help relieve anxiety by:
- reducing stress
- decreasing physiological effects of anxiety, such as an increased heart rate
- improving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- inducing sleep in cases of insomnia
Anti-seizure
CBD has been in the news before as a possible treatment for epilepsy. Research is still in its early days. Researchers are testing how much CBD can reduce the number of seizures in people with epilepsy and how safe it is, says Zachary T Bader. The American Epilepsy Society states that cannabidiol research offers hope for seizure disorders and that research is currently being conducted to understand safe use better.
A study worked with 214 people with epilepsy. The study participants added oral doses of 2 to 5mg of CBD per day to their existing anti-epilepsy medications. The study’s researchers monitored the participants for 12 weeks, recording any negative side effects and checking on the frequency of their seizures. Overall, participants had 36.5 per cent fewer seizures per month. However, severe adverse effects were recorded in 12 per cent of the participants.
Pain relief
The effects of CBD oil on your brain’s receptors may also help you manage pain. Studies have shown that cannabis can offer some benefits when taken after chemotherapy treatments. Other pre-clinical studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health are also looking at the role of cannabis in relieving symptoms caused by:
- arthritis
- chronic pain
- MS pain
- muscle pain
- spinal cord injuries
Nabiximols (Sativex), a multiple sclerosis drug made from TCH and CBD, is approved in the United Kingdom and Canada to treat MS pain. However, researchers think the CBD in the drug may be contributing more with its anti-inflammatory properties than by acting against the pain. Clinical trials of CBD are necessary to determine whether or not it should be used for pain management.
CBD is extracted from marijuana plants as either an oil or powder. These can be mixed into creams or gels. They can be put into capsules and taken orally or rubbed on your skin. The multiple sclerosis drug nabiximols is sprayed as a liquid into your mouth. Getting to know more about how CBD should be used depends largely on its use from the USA CBD Expo by Atlanta Traveler.
