No matter where you go these days, it’s easy to find a place promoting cannabidiol (CBD) as a cure-all for any condition you may have. There are hundreds of different types of products out there that contain CBD, such as sleeping aids, personal lubricants, sports-recovery creams, and even energy boosters.
While marijuana and CBD both come from cannabis plants, marijuana contains a higher Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level than CBD. U.S. law requires that CBD products contain no more than .3 percent THC, so ultimately, licensed over-the-counter CBD products don't get you high.
CBD has been shown to help improve certain health conditions in a myriad of ways. Further research needs to take place to fully comprehend the extent of the health benefits of CBD. However, below you will find some conditions that research has already shown can improve through CBD use.
Chronic Pain
CBD interacts with a family of receptors in your body called vanilloid receptors. When this happens, the user experiences lower inflammation and levels of pain perception.
A 2016 study published in the European Journal of Pain found that people with arthritis were able to manage their pain effectively with the use of CBD. In the study, researchers looked at how using CBD gel transdermally (on the skin) reduced inflammation and signs of pain. The conclusion was that the topical gel provided pain relief without any visible side effects.
Anxiety and Depression
Researchers have conducted many studies on the use of cannabidiol on neuropsychiatric disorders. For example, a study review published in September 2015 in the Journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics found that evidence strongly supports CBD to treat anxiety disorders.
Another study published in Neurotherapeutics in October 2015 concluded that topical CBD had shown “considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders”. Those disorders included PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorders, and seasonal affective disorder.
Addiction
Research has also found that CBD may help people overcome addiction. A 2013 study found that when smokers used CBD over the course of the trial, they smoked fewer cigarettes.
According to the American Cancer Society, it has been reported that CBD can slow the growth and/or kill certain types of cancer cells that have been grown in lab settings. In addition, other studies have suggested that certain cannabinoids can slow the growth and help stop the spread of some forms of cancer.
Researchers are also hopeful that the use of CBD can help keep recovering opioid users from relapsing. When using CBD, people who were addicted to opiates reported fewer cravings when shown images or videos of heroin for up to a week after they used CBD.
Schizophrenia Symptoms
Traditional medications used to treat schizophrenia often have serious side effects, leading some people to search for alternative options for management of their condition. The good news is that early research shows that CBD may indeed help with symptoms of schizophrenia, including delusions and hallucinations.
Although researchers are still conducting research to understand exactly how CBD works to treat schizophrenia, studies have found that 600 to 800 mg of CBD worked as well as some standard antipsychotic medication therapy, and with fewer side effects.
Epilepsy
For decades people have reported that they have successfully treated their epilepsy using CBD. Along with personal testimonials, a handful of scientific studies have supported their claims.
One study, published in May of 2018 in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that CBD effectively reduced seizures in people with a type of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). In 2018, the FDA approved an oral form of CBD for LGS and another form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.
Cancer Treatment Symptoms
CBD has been used to reduce nausea and vomiting that patients experience due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The FDA has approved two cannabinoid drugs, Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone), to battle these symptoms.
High Blood Pressure
A 2017 study in England concluded that a single dose of CBD reduced the participants’ resting blood pressure by 6 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), ultimately reducing the risk of a stroke. Researchers believe that this may be due to CBD’s anxiety and pain-reducing effects.
CBD Side Effects
If you suffer from any of the ailments listed above and are interested to find out if CBD can help your situation, it’s important to know the side effects that you may experience. Side effects can include dizziness, dry mouth, changes in mood, nausea, and fatigue. CBD can also interact with certain medications, so make sure to discuss the use of CBD with your healthcare provider before adding it into your care routine.
Learn More About the Health Benefits of CBD on ManguTV!
Every day, people turn to CBD to help them cope with various medical conditions. If you’re ready to learn more about how everyday people are using cannabis as a natural medicine to treat health conditions, you need to watch Weed the People.
Weed the People is a documentary on ManguTV. It takes a deep dive into the legitimate science behind cannabis medicine and dives into the lives of people who are inescapably caught up in the controversy.
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