7 Unexpected Health Benefits of CBD Oil

Cannabidiol has become a popular remedy for those who want to take a more natural approach when it comes to healing many ailments. Most people know cannabidiol by its more common name CBD. CBD is one of over 100 chemical compounds, or cannabinoids, found in the marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa. Unlike marijuana, CBD does not contain any tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, so there is no high-like effect when taking it making it appealing to those looking for pain relief or other various afflictions. To make CBD oil, CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant and then diluted with hemp seed oil. At Pure Roots, we use the highest quality of equipment and use the CO2 extraction method which is the method recommended by the Mayo Clinic. With CBD getting more attention in recent years, there has been a call for more research. Some studies indicate that CBD may relieve symptoms of anxiety and chronic pain. This article discusses seven potential benefits when using CBD oil that are backed up by multiple scientific studies.

1. Pain Relief

Marijuana has been known for generations to provide pain relief to its users. CBD does not have the same psychoactive effects as marijuana, but scientists have discovered certain components of marijuana, like CBD, are linked to its pain-relieving effects. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a very specialized system in the body responsible for regulating various functions like sleep, appetite, pain, and the immune system response. The body produces endocannabinoids which are neurotransmitters that bind to different cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. There is research indicating that CBD might aid in the reduction of chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation, and interacting with neurotransmitters. One study in rats found that CBD injections reduced pain response to surgical incision, while another rat study found that oral CBD treatment significantly reduced sciatic nerve pain and inflammation. Several human studies have found results that CBD, especially when paired with THC, may be effective when it comes to treating pain caused by multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.

2. May Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and Depression are common mental illnesses that can severely affect a person’s mental health when left untreated. The World Health Organization found that depression is the number one contributor to disability worldwide, and anxiety disorders are ranked sixth. Traditionally, anxiety and depression are treated with different pharmaceutical drugs. These drugs might not be the best option for some people based on the different side effects like drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction and headache. For those looking for a more natural alternative, CBD oil has shown promising results as a possible treatment for both depression and anxiety. In one Brazilian study, 57 men received either oral CBD or a placebo 90 minutes before they underwent a simulated public speaking test. The researchers found that a 300-mg dose of CBD was the most effective at significantly reducing anxiety during the test while the placebo, a 150-mg dose of CBD, and a 600-mg dose of CBD had little to no effect on anxiety. CBD oil has even been used previously to safely treat insomnia and anxiety in children with post-traumatic stress disorder. Multiple animal studies indicate that CBD also has antidepressant-like effects when taken. CBD is becoming a more viable alternative to prescription drugs to treat mental illnesses because there is evidence that it is able to act on brain receptors for serotonin which is the neurotransmitter responsible for the regulation of mood and social behavior.

3. Can Alleviate Symptoms Resulted by Cancer Treatment

There is a possibility that CBD can help to lessen common symptoms linked to cancer treatment such as nausea, vomiting and pain. One study looked at the effects of CBD and THC in 177 people with cancer-related pain who did not experience relief from pain medication.Those treated with an extract containing both compounds experienced a significant reduction in pain when compared to those who received THC extract alone. The side-effects that come from chemotherapy are very draining with two of the most common side effects being severe nausea and vomiting. There are drugs out there that are formulated to alleviate these symptoms, but for some, they are not always effective leaving patients to find another way to help manage their symptoms. A study of 16 people undergoing chemotherapy found that a one-to-one combination of CBD and THC administered via mouth spray reduced chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting better than those who received only the standard treatment. Some test-tube and animal studies have even shown that CBD may have anticancer properties. For instance, one test-tube study found that concentrated CBD induced cell death in human breast cancer cells, and another study showed that CBD inhibited the spread of aggressive breast cancer cells in mice. While these results are encouraging, they are test-tube and animal studies designed to suggest what might work with people. There needs to be more human-based studies in order to form a strong conclusion of how CBD could have potential anticancer qualities.

4. May help Clear Acne

In the United States alone, acne affects nearly 50 million people. There are multiple factors that seem to cause acne like genetics, bacteria, underlying inflammation and the overproduction of sebum which is an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin. There is evidence suggesting that it is probable that CBD could act as a treatment for acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its ability to reduce sebum production. One test-tube study found that CBD oil prevented sebaceous gland cells from secreting excessive sebum, exerted anti-inflammatory actions and prevented the activation of “pro-acne” agents like inflammatory cytokines. Another study had findings demonstrating that CBD may be an efficient and safe way to treat acne because of its remarkable anti-inflammatory qualities. Once again, there needs to be more research on humans in order to produce definitive results, but these studies provide a basis for how CBD might be a possible treatment to those struggling with acne.

5. Could have Neuro-protective Qualities

As mentioned earlier, research shows that CBD has the ability to act with the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling systems. By having this ability, it is possible that CBD could be a benefit to those with neurological disorders. With an increase in research of the benefits of CBD, one of the most studied topics is actually how CBD use could act as a treatment for neurological disorders like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. This research is very current, but there have been several studies producing favorable results. One study gave 214 people with severe epilepsy 0.9–2.3 grams of CBD oil per pound (2–5 g/kg) of body weight, and their seizures reduced by a median of 36.5%. Another study found that CBD oil significantly reduced seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome, a complex childhood epilepsy disorder, compared to a placebo. It is important to note that some people in both studies experienced adverse reactions usually associated with CBD treatment like convulsions, fever and fatigue. There has also been research into the possible effectiveness of CBD as a treatment for other neurological diseases. There have been several studies conducted showing that treatment with CBD improved quality of life and sleep quality for people with Parkinson’s disease. Multiple animal and test-tube studies suggest that CBD may decrease inflammation and help prevent the neuro-degeneration associated with Alzheimer’s disease. One long-term study where researchers gave CBD to mice genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease found that it helped prevent cognitive decline.

6. Possible Heart Health Benefits

Current research explains how CBD may provide various benefits to the heart and the circulatory system as a whole. This includes the possibility of lowering high blood pressure. High blood pressure is known to result in bigger issues like strokes, heart attacks and metabolic syndrome. One recent study treated nine healthy men with one dose of 600 mg of CBD oil and found it reduced resting blood pressure when compared to the placebo. In the same study, they also gave the men stress tests that normally increase blood pressure. Interestingly, the single dose of CBD led the men to experience a smaller blood pressure increase than normal in response to these tests. Researchers linked how CBD has been used to lower both stress and anxiety to its ability to also help lower blood pressure. For example, there have been several animal studies indicating that CBD may help reduce the inflammation and cell death associated with heart disease due to its powerful antioxidant and stress-reducing properties. One study in particular found that treatment with CBD reduced oxidative stress and prevented heart damage in diabetic mice with heart disease.

7. Other Possible Benefits

CBD has so many uses, that there has been a call for research in more health issues besides the ones already listed. There still needs to be more research, but there are studies that show how CBD could provide a wide range of health benefits including Antipsychotic effect: Studies suggest that CBD may help people with schizophrenia and other mental disorders by reducing psychotic symptoms Substance abuse treatment: CBD has already shown how it can modify circuits in the brain related to drug addiction. In rats, CBD has shown to reduce morphine dependence and heroin-seeking behavior. Anti-tumor effects; In test-tube and animal studies, CBD had anti-tumor properties. In animals, it has been shown to limit and present the spread of breast, prostate, brain, colon and lung cancer. Diabetes prevention: In diabetic mice, using CBD as a treatment reduced the incidence of diabetes by 56% and significantly reduced inflammation

The Side Effects of CBD

For the most part, CBD is very well tolerated and is considered safe, but some people could experience adverse reactions. Notable side effects include: diarrhea, changes in appetite and weight as well as fatigue. There is also a chance that CBD could interact with a medication. It is recommended to talk with a doctor to make sure CBD is the right choice for you upon use. Summary In the last twenty years, CBD has undergone research to see all of its possible health benefits regarding many common health issues. Some of the most researched health issues are anxiety, depression, acne and heart disease. There has also been research to see how CBD could possibly become an alternative to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with cancer treatment. There is still research going on about the extensive uses of CBD, and it seems like there is always another untapped benefit of CBD being discovered. Health and safety are the most important things when it comes to taking something new, but research shows that CBD is a well-tolerated, natural remedy for many different health related issues.