All About CBD Oil
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With all the hype and hoopla about CBD oil for years now, it may be difficult for people considering using this to really know what they are getting, how safe it is (or isn’t), and perhaps most importantly, how effective it is. Does it really work? And if so, what is it good for?!
A good CBD oil, or cannabidiol, is extracted from cannabis. It’s naturally found in marijuana or hemp plants. As we likely know, there is also THC in the plants, or tetrahydrocannabinol, another natural component found in cannabis. Both marijuana and hemp belong to this classification. So, THC is what has the potential to make us high (not CBD). THC is psychoactive, and much more potent in today’s plants than in our grandparents’ time.
Both CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a part of every human being’s physiology, but with different effects. While we don’t yet know everything there is to know about the ECS, we do know it is involved in functions like sleep, appetite, mood, memory, reproduction and fertility, etc. This system is active in your body even if you do not now or have never used cannabis. Two endocannabinoids which have been identified so far (AEA and 2-AG) assist our internal functions in running smoothly.
Some of the symptoms CBD oil is used for are to reduce inflammation, seizures, pain, mental health conditions, nausea, migraines, depression, anxiety, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), insomnia, cancer-related symptoms, reduction of acne, and more. Additionally, it is being shown to help modify some circuits in the brain which are related to drug addiction; a couple of animal studies have shown that it reduces morphine dependence and heroin-seeking behavior. Some studies have shown promising results in its ability to help protect the brain and the heart, although more studies are needed. Overall, more research is needed, but it is indeed being conducted.
CBD oil can be seen as a promising, safe and effective treatment for a number of ailments and conditions. It is deemed safe to use on human beings because it has a very good safety profile with few side effects.
Both CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a part of every human being’s physiology, but with different effects. While we don’t yet know everything there is to know about the ECS, we do know it is involved in functions like sleep, appetite, mood, memory, reproduction and fertility, etc. This system is active in your body even if you do not now or have never used cannabis. Two endocannabinoids which have been identified so far (AEA and 2-AG) assist our internal functions in running smoothly.
Some of the symptoms CBD oil is used for are to reduce inflammation, seizures, pain, mental health conditions, nausea, migraines, depression, anxiety, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), insomnia, cancer-related symptoms, reduction of acne, and more. Additionally, it is being shown to help modify some circuits in the brain which are related to drug addiction; a couple of animal studies have shown that it reduces morphine dependence and heroin-seeking behavior. Some studies have shown promising results in its ability to help protect the brain and the heart, although more studies are needed. Overall, more research is needed, but it is indeed being conducted.
CBD oil can be seen as a promising, safe and effective treatment for a number of ailments and conditions. It is deemed safe to use on human beings because it has a very good safety profile with few side effects.
- Is CBD oil good for depression? Yes, many people are getting relief from depression using CBD oil. Scientists believe this may be due to the fact that CBD oil has an impact on serotonin (a feel-good hormone which helps stabilize our mood and helps create feelings of well-being and happiness) receptors in the brain.
- Is CBD oil effective against feeling anxious? Yes, CBD oil is helping many people manage their anxiety. This is also linked to how CBD oil affects serotonin, as it acts for relieving depression. One study even found that people with social anxiety were helped by a solid dose of CBD oil in giving speeches! Additionally, CBD oil may help reduce stress, decrease heart rate, improve symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and help us sleep.
- Can I take CBD oil for help in reducing or eliminating seizures? Yes, CBD oil is being used with success in treating many people’s seizure disorders. Even the American Epilepsy Society says that CBD research is offering hope for people with seizure disorders, and research is ongoing.
- Can I use CBD oil to help protect me from getting diseases like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and stroke? Yes, researchers are studying the benefits of using CBD oil on all these conditions. It may also help reduce inflammation involved in making neurodegenerative symptoms even worse.
- Can I use CBD oil for pain relief? Yes. CBD oil is helping many manage pain. Some studies are also showing that taking CBD oil after ending chemotherapy treatments can help with symptoms. It may also be useful in its ability to reduce inflammation and alter cellular reproduction. More studies are needed. Additionally, other studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health are looking into how CBD oil may help with arthritis, chronic pain, muscle pain, spinal cord injuries, and more.
- Can I use CBD oil for sleep problems? Yes. CBD oil may help improve the quality of your sleep by reducing the time it takes to fall asleep. It may also help you move into deeper sleep states. CBD oil may benefit you if you have Parkinson’s and even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Again, more research is needed and is being conducted.
To learn more about the safe use of CBD oil and more, view our CBD oil course here.