What Are the Benefits of CBD?

More than 60 percent of CBD users were taking it for anxiety, according to a survey of 5,000 people. Does it help?

By Dawn MacKeen

The CBD industry is flourishing, conservatively projected to hit $16 billion in the United States by 2025. Already, the plant extract is being added to cheeseburgers, toothpicks and breath sprays. More than 60 percent of CBD users have taken it for anxiety, according to a survey of 5,000 people, conducted by the Brightfield Group, a cannabis market research firm.Chronic pain, insomnia and depression follow behind. Kim Kardashian West, for example, turned to the product when “freaking out” over the birth of her fourth baby. The professional golfer Bubba Watson drifts off to sleep with it. And Martha Stewart’s French bulldog partakes, too.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD,is the lesser-known child of the cannabis sativaplant; its more famous sibling, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the active ingredient in pot that catapults users’ “high.” With roots in Central Asia, the plant is believed to have been first used medicinally — or for rituals — around 750 B.C., though there are other estimates too.

Cannabidiol and THC are just two of the plant’s more than 100 cannabinoids. THC is psychoactive, and CBD may or may not be, which is a matter of debate. THC can increase anxiety; it is not clear what effect CBD is having, if any, in reducing it. THC can lead to addiction and cravings; CBD is being studied to help those in recovery.

Cannabis containing 0.3 percent or less of THC is hemp. Although last year’s Farm Bill legalized hemp under federal law, it also preserved the Food and Drug Administration’s oversight of products derived from cannabis.

What are the claims?

CBD is advertised as providing relief for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is also marketed to promote sleep. Part of CBD’s popularity is that it purports to be “nonpsychoactive,” and that consumers can reap health benefits from the plant without the high (or the midnight pizza munchies).

Just as hemp seedlings are sprouting up across the United States, so is the marketing. From oils and nasal sprays to lollipops and suppositories, it seems no place is too sacred for CBD. “It’s the monster that has taken over the room,” Dr. Brad Ingram, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, said about all the wild uses for CBD now. He is leading a clinical trial into administering CBD to children and teenagers with drug-resistant epilepsy.

What are the main medical benefits of CBD oil?

The legalization of marijuana has led to a deeper analysis and understanding of its components as well as how they can affect the user. CBD or cannabidiol is part of the over 100 chemical compounds referred to as cannabinoids. The other compound in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and it is psychoactive, a feature that gives you a high feeling. CBD is not psychoactive hence its increasing popularity for health use. It is a quality natural remedy for relieving pain among other health benefits without the negative psychological effects associated with THC. Below are the medical benefits of CBD oil and later on, we’ll highlight the potential side effects.

Pain-relieving benefits of CBD Oil

CBD oil is used to help relieve pain for a healthier and quality lifestyle. When you use CBD oil, your body naturally releases endocannabinoids that act as cannabinoid receptors. CBD interacts with neurotransmitters, therefore, decreasing inflammation and easing chronic pain. According to studies, CBD oil can be used together with THC to address rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, conditions that may significantly affect your life. When treating multiple sclerosis, CBD oil also reduces muscle spasms and improves your walking due to reduced pain.

Helps manage anxiety and relieve depression

Anxiety and depression are all symptoms of mismanaged stress and they may have adverse psychological disorders due to the affected mental function. According to research by the World Health Organization, depression is the number one cause of mental disability and anxiety comes in sixth. People who are depressed and experience anxiety have side effects like insomnia, sexual dysfunction, drowsiness, agitation, and headaches. To improve the quality of life, CBD oil is used alongside other carrier oils to manage anxiety and it has shown promising results in treating depression naturally. CBD oil also improves cognitive function, therefore, helping one speak comfortably in public. It is an effective treatment option for kids diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as it also helps with insomnia. Studies show that CBD oil has anti-depressant effects that trigger the production of serotonin that controls your social behaviour and mood.