By now, you’ve probably heard about CBD oil. But not everybody understands what it is, where it comes from, how to use it, and what it can do. Let’s explore the amazing health benefits of CBG oil and the different ways it can improve your life.
What exactly is CBD Oil?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s a natural compound found in wccannabis and hemp plants. CBD is different from THC, the stuff in marijuana that makes you high. CBD won’t make you feel stoned or impaired in any way.
CBD works by interacting with receptors throughout the body that make up the endocannabinoid system. This system regulates all sorts of bodily functions and processes. By influencing it, CBD can impact things like pain, mood, immune function, stress response, sleep patterns, appetite, memory, and more.
CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from hemp plants and diluting it with a carrier oil such as coconut or hemp seed oil. It comes in tincture drops, gummies, capsules, vapes, topicals, and even coffee!
Benefit 1: Relief from Chronic Pain and Inflammation
One of the most common uses of CBD oil is for natural pain relief. Studies show that CBD can reduce both acute and chronic pain from conditions like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and spinal cord injuries. It may also relieve pain after surgery.
How does it work? CBD reduces pain and inflammation by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors in the nervous and immune systems. It also desensitizes pain receptors and acts as a powerful antioxidant.
Benefit 2: Reduced Anxiety and Depression
Feeling stressed and anxious all the time? CBD oil may help calm both the mind and body. Research indicates CBD oil decreases activity in the limbic part of the brain responsible for fight-or-flight responses. It also increases signaling through serotonin receptors which improves mood.
Some studies find CBD oil works as well as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications with fewer side effects. It also enhances sleep.
Benefit 3: Neuroprotective Properties
CBD shows promise for protecting brain function. Animal studies reveal CBD’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can prevent cognitive decline from neurodegenerative disorders.
Early research also found a single dose of CBD administered right after a traumatic head injury prevented brain damage and cognitive impairment in mice. More studies are underway.
Benefit 4: Improved Heart Health
Heart disease is the #1 killer worldwide. Surprising research reveals CBD may support better cardiovascular health in several ways:
- Lowering blood pressure
- Preventing atherosclerosis caused by high cholesterol
- Reducing cardiac inflammation
- Blunting enlarged heart muscle
The antioxidants in CBD also minimize cell damage after a heart attack or stroke.
Benefit 5: Potential Anti-Cancer Properties
Evidence from animal and cell studies shows CBD may naturally inhibit the spread of certain types of aggressive cancer cells. It does this by promoting programmed cell death and preventing new blood vessel growth that feeds tumors. Clinical trials are limited so far. However early results from human cell line studies are promising. More research is underway.
Benefit 6: Help with Drug Addiction
Research indicates CBD may modify brain circuits related to drug addiction and craving. In one study, heroin addicts administered CBD reduced their drug cravings and anxiety during withdrawal. Animal studies show CBD decreases morphine dependence and heroin-seeking behavior.
Conclusion
More research is needed, but CBD oil may one day play a role in addiction treatment. As research on the health benefits of CBD oil expands, so do the incredible possibilities to improve health holistically. While more human clinical trials are still needed, CBD oil is emerging as a supplement that may support overall health and well-being.
