Cannabidiol, CBD for short, is a commonly used substance derived from the hemp plant. Like marijuana, it can provide relief from many ailments, but unlike marijuana, it doesn’t make you high or lead to dependence problems.
Many people are still skeptical of CBD and its many uses. There’s little empirical research to show that CBD is effective in any category simply because it has not been widely studied due to the many misconceptions about it. It can hardly be considered a drug since it contains no psychoactive properties and has significantly fewer side effects than most of its counterpart pharmaceuticals.
But it’s undeniable that CBD is effective simply because the CBD industry is thriving with dozens of products. If you visit Penguin CBD website, for example, you’ll see oils, tinctures, creams, gummies, and more.
Investors are excited to enter the CBD business because consumers keep buying it. A product this popular must be worth looking into. Let’s look at some of the most prominent benefits of CBD.
Treats Anxiety
Treatment for anxiety is perhaps the most common use of CBD. Anxiety is typically attributed to hormonal and chemical imbalances in the brain. When a stressful situation arises, your body’s endocannabinoid system receives signals from CB1 and CB2 receptors that can send your hormones into a chaotic state. Your brain and body will buzz and feel uncontrollable until you remove yourself from a stressful situation.
It’s believed that CBD works so effectively to treat anxiety because the cannabinoids within it influence your endocannabinoid system. It can influence receivers and receptors to restore your body to homeostasis. In other words, you’ll lose the most disconcerting symptoms of anxiety and feel better about yourself.
There has been some scientific research to prove that CBD works effectively against anxiety and similar mental health issues, but most of the positive research is anecdotal. Most people who take CBD for anxiety report that it’s just as effective if not more so than their prescription anxiety medications.
The New York Times recently reported on a survey from the Brightfield Group that involved 5,000 people suffering from anxiety. The survey asked participants if they had taken CBD for anxiety and if it was effective. The results showed that 60 percent of participants had tried CBD and liked it.
In fact, more than 50 percent of those who had tried CBD for anxiety had replaced their anxiety medications with the substance. They reported that it was just as effective, if not more so, without the harmful side effects of their prescriptions.
Relieves Pain and Inflammation
There’s quite a bit of research to show how CBD can relieve pain and inflammation. Your body’s endocannabinoid system also regulates pain and immune system responses, so when you’re injured or you’re experiencing chronic pain and inflammation, such as arthritis, taking CBD for pain can help.
A promising study on rats showed that CBD injections reduced pain for surgical incisions. It also helped to reduce sciatic nerve pain and inflammation. Other studies on humans with multiple sclerosis and arthritis also showed positive results in reducing pain and inflammation and helping the body reach homeostasis.
Athletes commonly use CBD as a treatment for pain and inflammation following an injury. It can also help them recover quickly after a particularly intense workout.
Improves Sleep
Sleep is essential for multiple functions in the body. Anxiety, inflammation, pain, and many other health problems escalate when your body lacks sleep. Despite its importance, more than half of adults all over the world report not getting enough sleep.
The things preventing sleep vary from chronic sleep problems to bad habits. About 20 percent suffer from a sleep problem like insomnia while others simply don’t like to go to sleep on time. They’re overworked and overtired, linking bad decisions that cause them to stay up late.
CBD can help in some ways by helping individuals who struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep. The substance is a known relaxant, so it can help calm a racing mind and relax your muscles. It can relieve pain and inflammation that make it difficult to sleep and help you stay asleep all night long.
Helps with Addiction
Many people also use CBD as an aid for treating addiction. There’s budding research to prove that fact as well. One study from the journal Addictive Behaviors studied the habits of those who used inhalers of CBD while trying to quit smoking. They smoked fewer cigarettes than usual, and it seemed to curb their cravings for nicotine. And since CBD has few side effects and no long-term impacts, it’s a great alternative to smoking.
Another study published in Neurotherapeutics found similar results when studying its use in opioid addicts. Those who used CBD found relief from common symptoms of substance use disorders. It calmed their anxiety, regulated their moods, and helped beat insomnia. It also helped to curb cravings and increase the time between the use of an addictive substance.
Promotes Skin Health
CBD comes in many topical creams, lotions, and skincare products that are touted to do wonders for the skin. It’s supposed to have healing and normalizing properties that can heal and treat several skin problems.
It’s most commonly used to treat acne. CBD has skin-normalizing properties, the best of which is inflammation reduction. When the skin becomes red and inflamed from pimples, CBD creams applied regularly can diminish the angry look of these pimples. It can also clear the skin and discourage acne from coming back.
CBD creams can also be used for deep moisturizing. Those with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or skin allergies use CBD creams because it penetrates through several layers of skin and offers longer-lasting moisture.
Some research indicates that CBD may help fend off skin cancer, especially when used in a cream containing high SPF. CBD has antioxidants that fight off free radicals that damage the skin when it’s exposed to the sun. Who knows? Maybe CBD could save your life.
