With the market for CBD (cannabidiol) products expected to reach $20 billion in sales by 2024, chances are that you’ve heard of the newly legalized compound. In case you need a refresher, here’s what CBD is all about:
You can find CBD in the flowers and leaves of the cannabis sativa plant. It can also be extracted from hemp and is among over 100 chemicals (cannabinoids) that researchers have identified. Whether you buy an edible, capsule or tincture, there can only be up to 0.3% THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
This ensures that you won’t feel the “high” associated with marijuana. So, what makes CBD oil so compelling? An ever-growing list of purported health benefits is the answer. For example, CBD is touted to reduce and relieve:
- Acne
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Seizures
The popular cannabinoid may also be useful for treating addiction, depression, and trauma. CBD studies on humans are limited and scientists are yet to determine the full scope of the product’s effects. That said, we can still consider existing evidence to investigate promising perks and purposes for CBD oil.
Stress Management
If you experience regular anxiety, there’s research suggesting that CBD oil may be an effective treatment.
This is based on specific changes observable in the brain when taking cannabidiol, namely how your receptors respond to serotonin – the chemical responsible for stabilizing emotions and staving off stress. Also, serotonin helps in areas such as digestion, healing, and sleep.
In one study, participants with social anxiety performed better speeches after receiving a 600mg dose of CBD. An earlier test with animals showed that CBD can induce sleep and combat insomnia.
In addition to CBD, some studies have found that microdosing mushrooms can ease stress and anxiety and improve mental health. For this reason, many are turning to a magic mushroom dispensary in their area to help manage their stress.
Seizure Prevention
While there’s room for additional insight, numerous studies propose CBD as a capable remedy for epilepsy.
Researchers found that it can decrease seizures among people with epileptic disorders. The American Epilepsy Society even points to cannabidiol as a beacon of hope for those who suffer this condition. After adding 2-5mg of CBD to the standard medications used by 214 epilepsy patients, their monthly seizures dropped by 36.5 percent overall.
Possible Benefits
There are several characteristics of CBD that are well-established and verified to be correct.
For example, we know that cannabidiol has no psychoactive effect on its own. The compound is also proven to appear in drug tests alongside THC metabolites, which is important to remember when applying for jobs. What we aren’t entirely sure of are the following possible treatments that preliminary studies have identified with CBD oil:
- Bipolar disorder
- Diabetes
- Opioid withdrawal
- Quitting nicotine
- Nerve damage
- Schizophrenia and Parkinson disease
It won’t be long before the necessary resources are available for researchers to accurately measure the exact role of CBD in these aspects of biology and psychology. Perhaps the link will prove weaker than expected in some cases. Maybe the opposite is true and we’re only touching the surface.
For now, you can reliably use CBD products to treat anxiety and pain. It’s not unreasonable to expect improvements in your sleep and skin health, too.
