Are you familiar with cannabidiol? Well, it is being used for a number of reasons; however, its use is still controversial. Often people have confusion about what it is and how it works on the human body.
Cannabidiol or CBD can have some health benefits, and it can also pose health risks. Here, you will see everything you need to know about possible health benefits, uses, and potential risks of CBD.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is known as cannabinoids, which is one of several kinds in the cannabis plant. Researchers have been finding the possible healing pure CBD oil uses. In CBD oil, meditations of CBD are used, and uses of this oil vary.
So, where Does CBD Come From?
It comes from the cannabis plant. While considering the level of THC, people refer to cannabis plants as hemp or marijuana. Under the Farm Bill, hemp plants are not illegal when they contain less than 0.3% THC.
As time passes, farmers of marijuana have selectively produced their plants to get high levels of THC and other compounds that concerned them. It happens because the compounds produced an odor or had another effect on the flowers of a plant. However, hemp farmers rarely have modified the plant. Pure CBD oil is made with these hemp plants.
How Does CBD Work?
All cannabinoids, including CBD, are responsible for affecting the body when they attach themselves to some receptors. Certain cannabinoids are produced on their own in the human body. For cannabinoids, it also has two receptors that are called the CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors.
In terms of CB1 receptors, they are present all over the body, and most of them exist in the brain. The receptors in the brain deal with the organization and drive, pain, feelings, and attitude, thinking, hunger, and memories, and other systems.
Likewise, in terms of CB2 receptors, they are more general in the immune system, and they affect pain and inflammation. Once researchers supposed that CBD gets devoted to these CB2 receptors, but now it seems that CBD does not directly attach to the receptor. Instead, it directs the body to use its particular cannabinoids.
Do You Think CBD is Marijuana?
Till now, the most branded compound in cannabis was delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the most active constituent of marijuana.
Both CBD and THC are used in marijuana, and these components have different effects. When a person smokes THC or uses it in cooking, it creates mind-altering at a high level. It happens because THC breaks down when the heat is applied and entered into the body.
On the other hand, CBD is different. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. It clearly shows that when CBD is used, it does not change the person’s state of mind. Notably, it makes other significant changes in the body, and according to some research, it has medical effects.
Does CBD Make You High?
THC and CBD are completely different compound, and it has complex effects. Since it is not psychoactive, and it does not yield a “high” or alter the state of mind. However, it affects the body to use its personal endocannabinoids more efficiently.
In particular, a study posted in Neurotherapeutics suggested that CBD itself does very petite to the ECS. Rather, it activates or constrains other amalgams in the endocannabinoid system. For instance, CBD prevents the body from gripping anandamide, a component linked with controlling pain. So, higher grades of anandamide in the flow may decrease the quantity of pain a person experience.
Cannabidiol oil can also limit inflammation in the brain and nervous system that can aid people experiencing pain, immune system responses, and insomnia.
CBD Oil Effects for Chronic Pain Management
Do you think CBD oil can work for chronic pain management?
Let’s find out!
Though lots of people use cannabidiol oil to treat pain, still more evidence is needed to make sure that it is safe. By all means, to overcome the stigma linked with pure CBD oil can be done after understanding it thoroughly.
Some the people experience side effects while taking cannabidiol (CBD), and there are factors to consider before using CBD oil for pain.
As you already know that CBD has more than 120 compounds called cannabinoids. Most people link it with cannabis, whereas lots of plants contain cannabinoids.
Since the human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that accepts and interprets motions from cannabinoids. The ECS helps to adjust sleep, pain, responses, and immune system responses.
As THC enters the body, it generates a “high” feeling by affecting the endocannabinoid receptors of the brain. It helps in activating the reward system, which produces pleasure chemicals like dopamine.
· Arthritis Pain
In a study published in the European Journal of Pain, an animal model used to see if CBD could help with pain management of arthritis. A topical gel containing CBD was applied to rats with arthritis for four days.
There was a significant drop noticed in inflammation and signs of pain by the researchers, without any further CBD oil side effects. People with arthritis report relief from arthritis pain when they use CBD oil; however, more human-based studies are needed to be done to confirm findings.
· Multiple Sclerosis
Indeed, it is an autoimmune disease that affects the whole body through nerves and the brain. One of the most common signs of Multiple Sclerosis is muscle contractions. In some people, these contractions can be so intense that they can cause constant pain.
According to one report, short-range use of CBD oil could decrease the levels of spasticity a person feels. The results are uncertain; however, the majority of the people reported a drop in signs and symptoms. Still, more studies are needed to verify these results.
· Chronic Pain
For general chronic pain, the CBD oil effects were analyzed in a study. Researchers found that multiple systematic reviews that cover a number of trials and studies. According to research, there is considerable evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.
In a separate study, the Journal of Experimental Medicine supports these results. According to this research, you can use CBD to decrease pain and inflammation. It was also discovered that subjects were not expected to build up a tolerance to the pure CBD oil effects, so they might not tend to increase their dose consistently. They noted that CBD could provide a cure for the treatment of chronic pain.
· CBD Oil for Anxiety and Depression
Both anxiety and depression are general mental health conditions that can impact your health and well-being devastatingly. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranked anxiety disorders at the sixth number, whereas depression is solely the largest contributor to disability all over the world.
Pharmaceutical drugs are used to treat anxiety and depression, and it can affect your health badly. You may have to face several CBD oil side effects such as insomnia, drowsiness, agitation, headache, and sexual dysfunction.
Moreover, people can get an addict to medications like benzodiazepines, and it can lead to substance abuse. CBD oil effects are noted for the treatment of depression and anxiety. CBD oil can also be used to treat insomnia as well as anxiety in kids with post-traumatic stress disorder.
In a number of animal studies, CBD oil has shown effects like anti-depressants. All these effects show that CBD is able to act on the receptors of the brain for serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that controls mood and social behavior.
· Neuroprotective Properties
According to researchers, CBD has the ability to act on the endocannabinoid system as well as other signaling systems of the brain that can provide benefits for those who have neurological disorders.
In fact, studies have shown that neurological disorder treatment is also included in CBD oil effects, for instance, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. However, research in this field is still new, as lots of studies have shown significant results.
Sativex is an oral spray that contains CBD and THC. It has been recognized as a safe and effective remedy to decrease muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis.
Findings Related to Sativex
In a study, Sativex was noted to reduce spasms in 75% of 276 people who have multiple sclerosis who have been experiencing muscle spasticity that was not responding to medications. In another study, CBD oil was noted to reduce seizure activity in kids with Dravet syndrome, which is a complicated childhood epilepsy disorder. Other than treatment, it was also found that some people experienced adverse reactions linked with CBD treatment, such as fever, fatigue, and convulsions. CBD oil has been researched for its possible usefulness in treating many other neurological diseases. For instance, CBD can improve sleep quality as well as the quality of life for those suffering with Parkinson’s disease.
Furthermore, animal-based and test-tube studies also found that CBD can have positive effects on treating the neurodegeneration linked with Alzheimer’s disease.
· Heart Health
In a recent study, CBD was found to be beneficial for the heart and circulatory system, such as the ability to normalize high blood pressure. High blood pressure leads to a number of health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and metabolic syndrome.
Several studies have found that CBD can help in reducing high blood pressure. According to researchers, the anxiety and stress-reducing properties of CBD play a vital role in improving heart health. Moreover, a number of animal studies also noted that CBD could help to reduce the inflammation and cell death linked with heart disease because of its influential antioxidant and stress reduction qualities.
Other Potential Benefits
CBD is also efficient in treating a number of health issues other than mentioned above. Still, more research is needed, and the following are the health benefits of CBD oil.
· Substance Abuse Treatment:
Studies have shown that CBD can make alterations in the brain circuits related to drug addiction.
· Antipsychotic Effects:
According to studies, CBD can treat schizophrenia and a number of other mental disorders by decreasing psychotic symptoms.
· Anti-Tumor Effects:
CBD has been proved to be beneficial for anti-tumor effects in test-tube and animal studies.
Other Considerations
Nearly all research on CBD oil and pain management comes from adult trials. On the other hand, experts don’t advise CBD oil to be used in children. It is because there is less evidence for the effects of CBD oil on the brain development of a child.
However, the use of Epidiolex is recommended for children elder than two years who have been suffering from rare epilepsy forms. Always consult a specialist before using CBD oil for seizures in a child.
CBD oil is NEVER recommended to pregnant ladies or breastfeeding mothers.
Benefits of CBD
CBD has multiple effects on the health of a person. Let’s figure out!
1. Natural Pain Relief and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
People often use treatment or OTC drugs to cure pain and stiffness, including chronic pain. According to some people, CBD offers a more natural substitute. In a study printed in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, it was found that CBD expressively helps in reducing chronic tenderness and aching in some mice and rats.
The researchers proposed that the non-psychoactive components in marijuana, such as CBD, could easily offer a new remedy for chronic pain.
2. Quitting Smoking and Drug Withdrawals
Do you want to quit smoking?
According to some evidence, CBD can help you in quitting smoking. Another study found that smokers who used nebulizers that contain CBD smoked less cigarettes than normal and had no more desires for nicotine.
Another review found CBD as an effective solution for people with opioid addiction disorders. It was noted that CBD concentrated some signs linked with substance use disorders. These involved mood-related symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, and pain.
Undoubtedly, further research is needed; however, these findings propose that CBD can help you in reducing the withdrawal symptoms.
3. Epilepsy
To clarify, after finding the safety and efficacy of CBD oil for curing epilepsy, the FDA accepted the use of CBD as a treatment for two rare situations considered by epileptic seizures in 2018.
A doctor can recommend Epidiolex for the treatment in the U.S.:
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) – a disorder that seems, when a child is between 3 to 5 years of age as well as it includes different types of seizures
- Dravet syndrome (DS) – a rare condition that happens mostly in the first year of a kid and includes frequent seizures related to fever
Seizures related to these two types of conditions are hard to control with other kinds of medications. The FDA stated that clinicians could not recommend Epidiolex for kids younger than two years. Hence, a doctor or pharmacist can determine the perfect dosage on the basis of body weight.
4. Further Neurological Disorders and Symptoms
On several neuropsychiatric disorders, researchers are reviewing the effects of CBD. Findings proposed that CBD can also cure lots of complications related to epilepsy, including neurodegeneration, psychiatric diseases, and neuronal injury.
Another study found that CBD can have effects parallel to certain antipsychotic drugs and that the blend of the elements can provide a safe and operative cure for people with schizophrenia. However, more research is needed.
5. Cancer Cure
In terms of cancer cure, some researchers notably have suggested that CBD can be helpful to beat cancer. A review issued in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology proposed that CBD helped significantly to stop the growth of cancer.
It was also found that the component tends to conquer the development of cancer cells and the promotion of their destruction. Grades of toxicity in CBD also pointed as low.
6. Anxiety Disorders
Further, Doctors strictly recommend avoiding cannabis to those who have chronic anxiety. It is because THC can activate or increase emotions of anxiousness and paranoia. Though, writers of a review found that CBD can help in the reduction of anxiety in those who have certain connected disorders.
According to this review, CBD helps reducing behaviors related to anxiety in people suffering from conditions such as:
- General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Panic Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
It was noted that for these disorders, current therapies could direct further symptoms and side effects. No further adverse effects are found that link to CBD.
7. Diabetes (Type 1)
Does CBD help in curing diabetes?
When the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas, you may get tenderness along with other effects. As a result of inflammation, type 1 diabetes occurs.
According to research published in 2016, CBD can ease the inflammation in the pancreas. For type 1 diabetes, it can be the first step in exploring a CBD bases cure, by the time. In Lisbon, Portugal, a paper was presented in the same year that suggested CBD as an inflammation reductant as well as it protects against or delays the development of type 1 diabetes.
8. Acne Control
Although Acne is a major problem for everyone these days. People often try to find the best solution for their acne. However, if you get evidence that the use of CBD can help in acne control, would you try it?
Acne appears as a result of inflammation and overworked sebaceous glands in the body. Everyone has different reasons for acne, and different solutions as well are needed. According to a study published in 2014, it was found that CBD can help in lowering the productivity of sebum that results in acne to somewhat because it has an anti-inflammatory outcome on the body. Sebum is known as an oily element, and excess of this substance can source acne. The most common type of acne is Vulgaris, and CBD could be used for a future cure.
9. Alzheimer’s Disease
In the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, the primary research noted that CBD was capable of stopping the growth of the social gratitude discrepancy in participants. It means that CBD could aid people in the initial phases of Alzheimer’s to keep the ability to identify the faces of people that they recognize.
It is the first indication that CBD can slow down the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Is CBD Oil Use Legal?
The recent legality of CBD is foggy. Under the Farm Bill, hemp and all the products derived from hemp are legal, as long as their THC content is less than 0.3%. Though, there is still some confusion over the specifics.
You must keep in mind that the FDA has not allowed any product that is not prescribed.
CBD Oil Side Effects
Lots of small-scale revisions have found the security of CBD in adults. According to these studies, adults can tolerate an extensive range of CBD dose well. There are no serious CBD oil side effects appeared on the central nervous system, mood, the important signs, or even among those who used high doses.
Tiredness is the most common CBD oil side effect, and some people also report diarrhea and variations in appetite or weight. However, people have to consult their physicians before following a CBD course.
CBD can also interrupt an enzyme called cytochrome P450 complex, and it can disturb the ability of the liver to break down toxins and growing the risk of liver noxiousness.
Well, there is still no long-term safety data available for evidence. Also, researchers have not done any research that involves children.
Side Effects of Epidiolex
FDA approved the substance to treat two types of epilepsy, and researchers noticed the following side effects in clinical trials:
- Infections
- Liver problems
- Change in appetite
- Problems of gastrointestinal
- Breathing problems
- Rashes and sensitivity issues
- Central nervous systems related symptoms, such as lethargy and irritability
- Urination reduction
As per the leaflet of patient information notes that there is a risk of fading depression or suicidal thoughts. When someone uses this drug, it is important to monitor him for the signs of mood change. Also, research suggests that someone taking this drug is unlikely to form a dependency.
How Does CBD Oil Work?
The use of CBD and smoking whole cannabis are both different. There are multiple CBD oil uses available to cure various symptoms. If a doctor recommends treating DS or LGS, it is significant to follow their instructions. Products bases on CBD come in lots of forms. Some of them can be assorted into different foods or drinks or can be taken with a pipe or dropper.
Other products are available in the form of capsules or as a thick paste to be massaged into the skin. Some of the products are used as sprays to be directed under the tongue.
Dosage can be varied among individuals, and it depends on some factors, including the health issue, body weight, and the concentration of the product.
Some people consider using pure CBD oil to cure:
- Sleep disorders
- Epilepsy
- Chronic pain
- Parkinson’s disease
- Glaucoma
- Huntington’s disease
Because of FDA regulation lacking, for most CBD products, you need to consult some professional medical person. As a parameter in the U.S. increases, more specific dosages and prescriptions will start to develop. You also need to compare different local brands of pure CBD oil after discussing the right dosage and risks with your doctor.
Takeaway
Though lots of studies have found that CBD oil is useful for pain and other health issues, however, more long-term research based on human subjects is needed.
To sum up, subjective evidence shows that pure CBD oil is helpful in managing chronic pain. CBD oil is reliable because of lacking its intoxicating effects and a possible lower likelihood of side effects and compared to other pain medications. You must discuss with your doctor if you are using CBD oil for the first time.