CBD, the short and snappy acronym for cannabidiol, is getting increasingly popular with every passing day. You’ll find CBD everywhere, from drinks to gummies, lotions to oils, capsules to soaps, and beyond. But what are the CBD benefits?
First off, it’s worth reiterating that the cannabis family has two primary compounds: CBD and THC. CBD is non-intoxicating, and THC will get you high. Or, to put it a different way, after high school, CBD went to Harvard, and THC became a Phishhead.
Below we’ll look at all the ways we can benefits from CBD products.
Table of Contents
1. CBD Can Relieve Pain
Like THC, CBD has shown effectiveness in relieving aches and pains ranging from muscle and joint discomfort to chronic pain caused by systemic illness.
How does CBD do this? It possesses this power because it interacts directly with the endocannabinoid system, which is exactly what it sounds like: a system in our bodies that specifically deals with cannabinoids. Though this might sound like a pricey aftermarket mod, this system actually comes stock with the human body.
The endocannabinoid system affects most functions we take for granted, like sleep, appetite, immune health, and pain. Our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids that our cannabinoid receptors take in and use to regulate these processes.
2. CBD Helps Stabilize and Improve Mood
If you suffer from afflictions like panic, anxiety, and depression, research seems to indicate that CBD could help.
In one study conducted in Brazil, men were asked to give a public speech. A cohort of participants was given CBD, and another cohort wasn’t — those who were given CBD reported feeling calmer. Interestingly, there appeared to be an ideal dose of CBD, as doses that were too high or too low were not as effective. Graphically, this is called a dose-response bell curve.
Animal studies have echoed these results. One study on mice revealed positive effects on mood and associated actions. This lends strength to the hypothesis that CBD also interacts with the brain’s serotonin receptors to help calm and soothe.
3. CBD Benefits Those with Skin Issues
There are many reasons we get blemishes on our faces, ranging from the presence of bacteria to our genetics to our diet. One in-vitro study revealed that CBD helps prevent participants’ skin from producing excessive oil, which can prevent pimples and breakouts. Additionally, CBD was associated with lower formation of inflammatory cytokines, which would also improve skin health.
Inflammation is another issue that can lead to acne and other skin issues. Because our endocannabinoid systems also handle processes that directly affect inflammation, CBD might help reduce it. One study on rats confirmed this.
4. CBD Benefits Our Hearts
CBD may have an observable effect on cardiovascular measures like blood pressure and circulation. Researchers are looking into this right now, and a number of recent studies have indicated that CBD has positive effects on our bodies’ cardiovascular systems, including our blood pressure.
Blood pressure, in particular, is one of the most important metrics of heart health, so CBD is of great interest to doctors and scientists. A recent study randomly assigned nine participants to 600 mg of either CBD or placebo, and the study researchers monitored their cardiovascular systems before and after the dose.
The results showed that administering 600 mg of CBD reduced the participants’ resting blood pressure as well as the increase in blood pressure due to stress. Whenever a stressor was introduced, the participants given CBD experienced smaller blood pressure increases.
This could also be related to why CBD helps soothe anxiety and stress.
5. CBD Is an Antioxidant
Animal studies have demonstrated CBD’s antioxidant properties. For example, a study on mice showed that CBD protected both the heart and body against oxidative stress.
An antioxidant protects against the presence of free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons, which are released due to a number of factors like toxins and stress. They can damage our DNA and our cells and may even lead to cancer.
Like other antioxidants, CBD has plenty of electrons to share with molecules in need. As an electron donor, CBD contributes electrons to free radicals to neutralize their charge and keep them from damaging healthy cells. CBD is better at this than even the most famous antioxidants like vitamins C and E.
Because it is an antioxidant, CBD may help slow aging and prevent certain serious illnesses. Combined with other antioxidants, it could be a major benefit to overall health.
6. CBD Benefits Our Sleep Cycles
One area where CBD is already changing lives is in helping people get a good night’s sleep. CBD can regulate sleep cycles, and because it can help calm thoughts and soothe your nerves, it can make it easier to stay asleep through the night.
In fact, CBD may actually outperform THC in helping with long-term sleep patterns.
7. CBD Benefits Those with Epilepsy
Research on epilepsy is firmly in the pro-CBD camp. From reducing epileptic seizures to helping with issues like stuttering, there is plenty of hope for people with ailments that could otherwise be debilitating.
In the coming years, expect to see CBD therapy move from head shops to pharmacies. In fact, the change is already upon us with the invention of drugs like Epidiolex, the first-ever FDA-approved prescription drug containing CBD, used to treat seizures associated with illnesses like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).
Summary
CBD will not get you high, but it does have some seriously awesome impacts on our bodies. While many of the benefits it delivers can also be found in THC, CBD doesn’t leave you impaired and is perfect for daily use. That makes it a great option for those who want the health effects of cannabis without being stoned.
CBD is a great product to try if you’re looking to improve:
- Aches and pains
- Anxiety and depression
- Skin issues
- Heart health and blood pressure
- Antioxidant levels
- Sleep
As always, Flavor Fix carries the finest CBD products available anywhere, so start hunting and find the best ones for you.
