It’s an amazing time in the world of cannabis, not least of all because of how much researchers are learning about the health benefits of CBD — a chemical found in cannabis which doesn’t get you high. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence to the effectiveness of CBD in treating a variety of health conditions, and now the scientific world is helping us understand exactly how CBD helps. Here are just some reasons why people take CBD
CBD for brain health
Many people take a CBD isolate for their mental health. CBD is widely used by people with Alzheimer’s and dementia and can help prevent these conditions. CBD is both a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and researchers believe these properties mean that CBD protects brain cells from damage. In additional, animal models have demonstrated that CBD can help nerves create new cells, even in old brains.
CBD for depression
CBD appears to help with depression for the same reason that antidepressants do. Pharmaceutical antidepressants act to help the brain get more serotonin, which stabilizes mood. The body’s endocannabinoid system works in a similar way to affect serotonin and dopamine levels.
CBD for the skin
Your skin is the largest organ you have and your skin has many CB2 receptors that can uptake CBD effectively. Skin can be damaged easily by UV rays from the sun, pollution, and the ravages of age. The powerful antioxidants in CBD oil help repair this damage and accelerate wound healing.
CBD for stress
Anxiety and stress are major issues in the developed world. Our busy lifestyles include lots of desk work and mental strain, and without much in the way of physical activity (unless we make time for it), is not particularly healthy.
Several studies have demonstrated that CBD has powerful anti-anxiety effects. It is especially helpful for people who suffer from social anxiety, and this is one of the most popular uses of CBD.
CBD for pain
Many people take CBD to relieve chronic pain. CBD seems to be especially effective against nerve pain. Much of the endocannabinoid system has to do with the way the body processes pain signals, and this is likely part of the reason for CBD’s effectiveness.
Cannabis has been used for pain relief for centuries and by cultures all across the world. THC, the chemical compound in cannabis that causes marijuana users to experience a high, is helpful in pain relief, but so is CBD. And unlike THC, CBD does not cause any high.
CBD for insomnia
The different chemical compounds in cannabis can affect sleep. THC appears to be a sedative in small doses, while CBD alone in small doses helps people feel more alert. However, larger doses of CBD can help people feel more alert during the day and sleep better a few hours later.
It’s possible that CBD helps with insomnia because of its effect on serotonin signaling, and the way it assists the endocannabinoid system in regulating itself.
CBD as preventative
Many people take CBD to prevent diseases and disorders. Doctors and researchers have long noticed that people who regularly use marijuana tend to have smaller waists and lower body weights than others and are less likely to get diabetes (despite the fact that THC stimulates people to eat more). Recent tests showed that giving CBD to rats made them less likely to develop diabetes.
These are just some of the reasons that people take CBD, and there are definitely more. If you haven’t yet tried CBD for yourself, talk with your health care provider about how it might benefit you.
