CBD is a chemical compound found in the cannabis Sativa plant. CBD is often pulled from the cannabis Sativa plant in oil form and mixed with an inert carrier oil like hemp seed oil so it is fit for consumption. Recently, CBD oil has become increasingly popular due to its purported calming effects. CBD oil can now be found in a range of products from simple oil tinctures to surprisingly CBD-infused potato crisps.
Research into CBD is also growing. Here are seven ways CBD oil could benefit your health according to recent studies:
- Anxiety and Depression
CBD’s impressive ability to calm is perhaps its most popular effect and the reason its use is so popular and widespread. According to the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry 2017 study, CBD helped to significantly reduce the anxiety of male participants during a simulated public speaking test.
Furthermore, at least one study in mice revealed CBD had effects similar to the antidepressant, imipramine. However, Human trials are required to confirm whether CBD can help induce this same antidepressant reaction in our bodies.
- CBD can treat select epilepsy syndromes
In some cases, CBD oil can be used to treat epileptic seizures.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of CBD under the brand name Epidiolex in 2018. This was to treat seizures as a result of two rare forms of epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome) in patients as young as 2 years old.
Over three studies, 516 patients suffering from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome received either Epidiolex or a placebo. When taken along with other prescribed medications Epidiolex decreased the commonness of participants’ attacks compared to the placebo.
- Reduce PTSD Symptoms
In a small study by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2018, 11 people suffering from PTSD received CBD oil along with routine psychiatric care for a duration of eight weeks. 10 out of the 11 individuals experienced a decrease in their Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. Doctors such as Margaret Rajnic have emphasised the importance of using therapy alongside any type of cannabis or CBD when treating PTSD.
- CBD oil can treat opioid addiction
Some studies suggest CBD oil could be helpful in treating people who are addicted to opioids. Researchers gave CBD to individuals with heroin use disorder and they saw results over the course of a week. The CBD significantly reduced users’ cue-induced cravings, withdrawal anxiety, resting heart rate and salivary cortisol levels. Plus, no serious adverse effects were found.
- CBD can alleviate ALS symptoms
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) causes nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to deteriorate meaning there is a loss of muscle control that worsens over time. No one knows for certain exactly why ALS occurs, but it can be hereditary. There is also no known cure, with only two FDA-approved medications used to help treat ALS symptoms.
People with ALS can benefit from the combination of THC and CBD, similar to people suffering from PTSD. In a study from 2019, individuals took a combination of THC and CBD in varying doses depending on their preferences. Those with mild, average or extreme muscle tightness and stiffness due to ALS reported great feedback from the treatment.
- Protects against neurological disease
Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that CBD oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics can provide significant neuroprotection or protection against numerous pathological disorders.
Several preclinical studies suggest CBD oil could help those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. However, further clinical studies are required to confirm CBD’s benefits when used as a treatment for these disorders.
- Deter Arthritis symptoms
Arthritis is the process of deterioration of the tissues in and around your joints. There are several types of arthritis, and symptoms can include pain, stiffness and loss of motion.
A 2006 study found that CBD oil (specifically ‘Sativex’, a CBD-based botanical drug approved in the United Kingdom) facilitated significant improvements in sleep quality, movement pain and pain at rest in patients with rheumatoid arthritis when compared to a placebo.
In a 2018 study, researchers found the results were interesting, but not conclusive. Those treated with CBD didn’t experience much change in pain when compared with placebo patients. However, there were statistically significant differences between a group receiving the 250-milligram dose and a placebo group when measuring the average weekly improvement of their worst pain levels and their WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) physical function rating.
As you can tell, there are many benefits of using CBD Oil. Visit the Eternalbeing website today or pop into the clinic to get your hands on your very own CBD oil and see the benefits for yourself!