In recent decades, discussions have raged around the cannabis plant. Some people still can’t tell the difference between medicinal and recreational marijuana. A compound like cannabidiol (CBD), one of the naturally occurring cannabinoids of the marijuana or hemp plant, is attracting a lot of attention for its therapeutic properties.
A report prepared by the World Health Organisation shows that naturally occurring CBD is safe for human consumption. The same report indicates there is no evidence of health complications when people use it pure CBD oil. Can this product live up to people’s expectations? Let’s explore how CBD oils are proving to be the new health alternative:
Natural Pain Relief
The use of cannabis products for pain relief has been practiced for many centuries. CBD oil has been shown to be very effective for pain caused by inflammation. Egyptians as early as 1500 BC documented having used cannabis to treat inflammation.
Everyone has a cell signaling system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). CBD interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in your immune system and brain. These receptors are made of proteins, and they receive chemical signals from various stimuli, which help your cells respond.
It is this response that provides pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects that aid in pain management. CBD has been shown to effectively combat pains such as; neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia and cancer pain. These products have also been shown to be effective for chronic pains such as back pain. People with migraines also report less acute pain when using CBD oils.
Acne treatment
Nearly 9% of the world’s population suffers from acne at some point in their lives. Some common causes of acne include excessive oil production by the sebaceous glands, bacteria, genetics, dead skin cells, and dirt that clogs the pores. Stress, certain medications, and some foods can also trigger acne. Red spots usually appear when Propionibacterium acnes bacteria build up in the system. Some types of acne are painful, others are not.
There are several ways to treat acne, but they all focus on reducing excess oil produced by the skin. CBD oils regulate the production of sebum, a waxy and oily substance that protects our skin. Sebum stores dirt, dead skin cells and other pollutants which are then trapped in the pores. It is the clogged pores that eventually develop into acne. CBD oil triggers an anti-inflammatory response in cells and thus prevents the activation of inflammatory cytokines.
Reduce anxiety and depression
It is estimated that about 275 million people from different parts of the world suffer from anxiety disorders. On the other hand, more than 264 suffer from depression, according to a report prepared by the World Health Organization. The same report shows that depression is the leading cause of disability, while anxiety comes in at position six. Some common causes of anxiety and depression include stress, job changes, financial challenges, marital and relationship problems, and fear of the unknown.
People use pharmaceutical drugs to treat both anxiety and depression. However, most of these drugs are known for side effects such as insomnia, agitation, drowsiness, headache, and sexual dysfunction. People with social anxiety disorder have shown improvements after using CBD as it improves mental health. Other forms of anxiety that can be relieved by CBD include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Relieves neurological disorders
Neurological disorders come in different forms and can include diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, migraine, stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic disorders, neuron infections, and Parkinson’s disease, just to name a few. These conditions affect the nerves that connect the brain, spinal cord, and central nervous system. The specific causes of such conditions can vary. However, some of the most common causes include infections, genetic disorders, and lifestyle issues such as malnutrition, spinal cord injuries, birth defects, and brain injuries.
Some neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, are painful. Using CBD oils can help relieve such pain from the patients. Medications used to treat some of these conditions are also known for uncontrolled muscle movements or tremors can be alleviated with CBD. This product has been used in people with multiple sclerosis, where it relieves pain and improves spasticity. However, CBD does not affect or alter disability in any way.
May Relieve Cancer-Related Symptoms
It estimated that more 9.6 million people lost their lives to cancer in 2018. The number of cancer survivors has risen from 11.7 million in 2007, to about 18 million in 2020 due to technological advances and better health care. There are many causes of cancer, such as biological or internal factors, occupational risk factors such as exposure to chemicals and radioactive materials, lifestyle-related factors and environmental exposure to certain fine substances and UV radiation.
CBD does not treat cancer, but helps reduce the symptoms associated with cancer treatments, such as nausea and vomiting. People who use CBD report a significant reduction in pain associated with treatments such as chemotherapy. Studies have also shown that cannabidiol can lead to programmed cell death in people with breast cancer. However, this is a test-tube study that has yet to be tried on humans.
Improves heart health
The heart is prone to various diseases such as atherosclerotic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, heart infections, and arrhythmias, just to name a few. Some of the symptoms of heart disease include shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, sweating, and irregular heartbeat. High blood pressure is another condition that harms heart health.
CBD oils have been proven to lower blood pressure. Several tests have also shown that CBD kills cells associated with various heart conditions and also reduces inflammation. A study in mice shows that CBD prevents heart damage and also reduces oxidative stress.
Studies on the cannabis plant are still in their infancy and it will be some time before products such as CBD oils are accepted worldwide. Understanding the benefits and misconceptions of CBD oils will help people make better decisions and understand the capabilities and limitations of these products.
