Cannabidiol (or “CBD”) often sparks controversy due to the hot topic of marijuana and legalization, and this can lead to confusion over how CBD works. CBD is a compound in marijuana that doesn’t make you high, but it can provide some significant health benefits. It is important to note that CBD is legal in many states, but the FDA hasn’t officially approved it for treating specific medical conditions. It’s also important to consult a professional and check your state’s regulations on CBD before looking into CBD treatment. But here are a few different ways CBD can help with illnesses.
It Can Help Reduce and Manage Anxiety
Many people who experience generalized anxiety are advocates of CBD oil because it seems to work with a brain receptor called CB1. The specific way that CBD reacts with CB1 is still very much under investigation, but CBD does affect serotonin receptors. CBD is seen as healthier than Zoloft and other anti-anxiety medicines which have serious side effects and are dangerous in certain cases. It has the potential to be a natural and safer alternative to medications which go as far as causing personality changes in those using it.
CBD is also shown to slow down heart rates during panic attacks or stressful situations. An elevated heart rate can cause generalized anxiety to snowball into a full-blown panic attack, and CBD can potentially bring down the symptoms before this occurs. CBD also has the potential to help those with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It releases tension in muscles during episodes that may spark OCD-related panic, which helps the body to calm down and lets the mind calm itself soon afterward. This also can assist anyone struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety-related illnesses.
It Can Possibly Work as Cancer Treatment Oil
Research regarding CBD and cancer treatment is still in the early stages, but CBD and THC are shown to alleviate pain and negative side effects of cancer in patients. Treatment side effects from chemotherapy are hard on the body and CBD oil can potentially alleviate the severity of these side effects. CBD can similarly bring down inflammation and change the way that cells produce.
The growing number of states legalizing marijuana for medical use is an indication of the medical benefits of cannabis substances. One study showed that cannabis reduces the size of tumors in animals, and in the future, more cancer treatment facilities will likely begin incorporating CBD into cancer recovery plans.
It Can Cure or Minimize Dangers of Seizures in Many Cases
CBD is widely reported as a substance which helps with epilepsy. A 2016 study consisting of 214 epileptic patients found that CBD had positive effects on their condition overall. The participants took 2 to 5 milligrams of CBD per day in addition to their normal epilepsy medications, and were then monitored for 12 weeks. Overall, participants had 36.5 percent fewer seizures, which was a great start, although adverse effects were documented in 12 percent of patients.
Again, remember to speak with your doctor about your concerns and health conditions before turning to CBD use. Still, before you judge CBD because it comes from marijuana, think about it as another category of natural oils that has benefits. CBD is a real health option that’s improved the lives of epileptics, cancer patients and those who struggle with mental illness, and shouldn’t be dismissed outright for its connection to cannabis.