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Cannabidiol, most often known as CBD, is very popular in the American wellness industry. It seems to be a mystery remedy to all your health problems. You need to know regarding CBD what is real and what is fake. Here are nine scientifically-backed benefits of CBD:
Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental health problems becoming prevalent every passing day. When diagnosed with either of these, the doctor usually prescribes pharmacological treatment. These medications usually come with a lot of side effects, such as insomnia, dizziness, and even addiction. Fortunately, CBD can help you with your anxiety or depression without having adverse mental health effects.
A study in the Brazilian Journal Of Psychiatry observed the effects of CBD on patients suffering from anxiety. It showed that CBD remarkably alleviated anxiety more than those who did not receive CBD.
Another animal-based trial demonstrated that CBD could be used to treat depression. It has an antidepressant effect similar to the drug imipramine.
A few studies performed on both animals and human trials suggest that CBD can have an important role in treating substance addiction, such as in the case of opioids.
Another research was conducted in which CBD was administered to patients with heroin abuse. Only after a week, there was a noticeable decrease in the symptoms. CBD helped reduce their Heroin cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and salivary cortisol levels.
Similarly, CBD oil has also been associated with treating many psychological and mental conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and pain in people with substance abuse.
CBD has been investigated as a treatment option for some types of epilepsies and has been found useful. However, some interactions were observed in people using epilepsy medication such as valproate.
Three well-researched studies provided sufficient proof that CBD decreased the frequency of seizures in patients who had Epilepsy. In 2018, the Food And Drug Authority (FDA) approved CBD under the name Epidiolex for the treatment of seizures produced in 2 rare types of childhood epilepsy forms- Dravet Syndrome and Lennox Gastraut Syndrome.
CBD oil is mostly famous for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It acts on receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system and regulates pain transmission across the nerves. This way, it can reduce chronic inflammation and pain.
Many studies have been conducted on the effects of CBD on patients with chronic, non-cancer pain. The results showed a significant drop in pain symptoms in the patients administered CBD compared to those given a placebo.
In 2005, Canada approved the drug Sativex to manage pain in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. The composition of Sativex includes an equal amount of THC and CBD. In 2007, the same drug was again approved for the unmanageable pain experienced in many types of cancers.
Four human trials suggested that CBD can aid in treating the symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some included THC along with CBD for more enhanced effects. When these two compounds work together, they produce an “entourage” effect by increasing both the potency and efficiency of each other.
Another study in the Journal of alternative and complementary medicine depicted the effects of CBD and psychiatric care in patients suffering from PTSD. It was observed that CBD markedly reduced the symptoms such as anxiety and stress.
The initial studies conducted to assess the effects of CBD on people with sleep disorders suggest positive outcomes.
People taking CBD for other ailments such as chronic pain and anxiety have also reported betterment in their sleep. Although the research regarding CBD as a safe sleeping aid is still preliminary, some studies have associated CBD with the treatment of insomnia.
Arthritis involves the inflammation and degradation of the tissues of the joints. This causes stiffness, loss of mobility, severe pain, and inflammation around the joints.
A study found that Sativex (a drug containing CBD and THC) drastically helped patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis by decreasing painful movements. It was also recorded that it improved sleep quality and even pain at rest. In 2010, the drug was approved in the United States.
It has also been established in a 2018 study that CBD can help relieve chronic knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis.
CBD has an antioxidant and nutritious effect on the skin. It contains omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, linoleic acid, and vitamin E. Apart from these; it also has an anti-inflammatory role.
When applied topically, CBD can be useful for treating skin conditions like eczema, dryness, and dermatitis. According to The National Eczema Association, a study was conducted on patients with atopic dermatitis. It says, “20 percent of subjects were able to stop their immunomodulators, 38 percent ceased using their oral antihistamines, and 33.6 percent no longer felt the need to maintain their topical steroid regimen by the end of the study.”
Several preclinical and clinical studies suggest that CBD can provide adequate neuroprotection due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It protects against the development of various neurological diseases.
Some other studies show that CBD has many positive outcomes in patients who have Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. More research is needed to confirm CBD as a treatment option for these disorders.
The benefits mentioned above of CBD are scientifically researched. However, as science is progressing so fast, more research is needed regarding the absolute safety and dosage of CBD for these diseases. It is always best to consult your doctor to discuss the interactions that can occur with CBD.