Cannabidiol, also called CBD, is a prevalent ingredient in the cannabis plant and is touted to have various health benefits. CBD has been gaining momentum as an alternative solution to several ailments in the wellness industry, and there are breakthroughs in scientific research to back up these claims.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is another active chemical compound in cannabis. THC induces psychoactive effects; Tetrahydrocannabinol is the chemical compound that causes the “high” feeling cannabis users experience when they ingest. However, unlike THC, CBD does not have psychoactive effects. If you are interested in buying CBD today, there are many reliable sellers like CBDGenesis. And here are the five medical conditions that you can improve by using CBD.
Chronic Pain
The use of CBD to relieve chronic pain, such as back pain, dates back to 2900 B.C. It is an effective and efficient solution when it comes to the treatment and management of pain.
The human body has the ECS, which regulates pain response and other functions in the body. Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters the body produces that bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. Research shows that CBD impacts endocannabinoid receptor activities, thus reducing chronic pain. A rat study indicates that CBD injections significantly reduce pain in a surgical incision.
People struggling with chronic pains have to use pharmaceutical medications such as opioids regularly to manage them. Unfortunately, using such heavy drugs for a sustained period, patients risk addictions. Therefore, CBD provides an essential alternative treatment because they are non-addictive and have no side effects usually associated with the counter drugs. Also, CBD is significantly cheaper than traditional medications.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are common health problems affecting people around the globe today. According to WHO, depression contributes the largest to disability globally, while anxiety is the sixth most significant contributor. And not only do anxiety and depression have devastating effects on the well-being of the patients, but they also impact family members.
Patients with anxiety and depression are usually given pharmaceutical drugs like benzodiazepines to treat their conditions. However, these medications have unpleasant side effects such as Insomnia, agitation, sexual dysfunction, etc. Also, they are addictive and may lead to substance abuse.
A study shows that cannabidiol is a natural solution for mental health problems such as anxiety and PTSD. CBD has immediate effects without any side effects and can be administered for an extended period, unlike anxiety medications. People stop using traditional drugs because of these side effects, and CBD intake can be an alternative treatment.
High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure blood exerts on the artery walls. Although it is normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day, one may have hypertension if the blood pressure levels consistently remain high. However, you may not realize that you have hypertension because there are no symptoms. Healthcare professionals advise people to check their blood pressure levels regularly. High blood pressure may lead to other health problems like heart attack and stroke if undiagnosed.
CBD is a herbal treatment that helps fight stress, anxiety, and other factors that cause high blood pressure. Research studies indicate CBD products can reduce blood pressure. For example, it shows that CBD has vasodilatory effects on human arteries, improving blood flow by widening veins and arteries. Another research on healthy individuals found that a dose of CBD decreased blood pressure in people under stress. An American Institute of Stress reports that stress causes hypertension; the heart pumps blood fast, and stress hormones constrict the arteries.
Epilepsy
This is a neurological disorder commonly characterized by recurring seizures. WHO reports that epilepsy affects more than 50 million people globally. Patients with epilepsy are now relieved CBD oil is available as an alternative treatment after everything else fails. About two-thirds of epilepsy patients will positively respond to the first or the second drugs given. However, if the two different medications fail to work, it is doubtful that the third medication will be effective. And when all fail, CBD treatment is administered.
Doctors and advocates of natural treatment will tell you that CBD isn’t a miracle cure. It doesn’t get rid of epilepsy but instead helps to eliminate or reduce symptoms. Also, it will help you take a break from heavy drugs that have adverse side effects. Most people go for this natural solution to prevent having seizures.
The FDA, in 2018, approved the use of Epidiolex(cannabidiol oral solution) to relieve seizures. The two types of epilepsy are Dravet syndromes and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. In addition, there is a tuberous sclerosis complex, a genetic disorder.
However, more research needs to be done to determine if CBD can cure other forms of seizures. In another report, CBD may boost the effectiveness of other antiepileptic medications.
A 2018 research shows the outcome of CBD administered to 55 people having one of the following types of epileptic syndromes: CDKL5 deficiency disorder, Doose syndrome, Dup15q syndrome, and Aicardi syndrome. The results show how the average number of seizures went down from 59 seizures to 22 seizures per month.
Diabetes
Researchers continue with studies to discover if CBD can cure diabetes. Scientists want to know if CBD can relieve nerve pain and calm inflammation from diabetes.
Many clinical trials have been done on rats, which is a shortcoming because even if it works on animals, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will work on humans. For example, the researchers conducted a study by testing CBD on mice with less blood flow to the brain – diabetes patients sometimes experience this complication. And the following were the findings:
- Reduced high blood sugar
- Reduced cholesterol
- Increased insulin production
Conclusion
Many studies have been carried out about CBD and how it helps ease many health complications; epilepsy and diabetes. Even cancer patients can use it as an alternative treatment for pain and other symptoms. More studies continue to be conducted about the potential medical benefits. Therefore, there is no doubt that scientists will discover more therapeutic effects of CBD in the future.