Five Superpowers of Cannabidiol: What is CBD Oil Used For

If you haven’t searched for a remedy for a stressful situation in the most unpredictable year of our existence, all thanks to the global covid-19 pandemic, you are probably an alien. We envy you. We, the mere mortal, looked everywhere for a stress reliever, and guess what? It seems that cannabidiol was one of the most wanted supplements during the last 12 months.  

Cannabidiol oil, better known as CBD, has been steadily growing to mass approval over the last couple of years, so it's no surprise today people see it as the wellness ingredient that can help any condition. One of the reasons why CBD became such a glorified product is that it proved to be an alternative medicine for chronic pains and anxiety. And who isn't anxious these days?

What is CBD?

Technically, CBD represents one of over 100 chemical compounds identified as cannabinoids, part of the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, or we should better say the “high” provocateur. On the other hand CBD, its "little brother," is not psychoactive. CBD benefits those who seek natural remedies without the mild or prominent mind-altering effects of smoking weed.  CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, and besides it can be used as drops, it's also the basis of numerous cannabis edibles, including luscious CBD coffee. 

On the occasion of this National Cannabis Awareness Month, get familiar with the superpowers of this beloved-to-medicine cannabinoid. Should you already know this stuff, pass it to a friend who might want to know more about CBD and what CBD oil is used for.

1. Goodbye Anxiety! CBD Helps Improve Mental Health

While a lot of people may assume that weed can cause them to feel anxious as anxiety is sometimes a reported reaction to THC, cannabis derivatives based on CBD are actually excellent to calm down anxiety (of course, there are also THC-dominant strains that alleviate anxiety). 

Pharmaceutical drugs that are supposed to treat mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, are likely to cause more than one unwanted side effect. Side effects from these types of drugs include drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, headache, or sexual dysfunction, plus add to that the addictive nature of benzodiazepines.  CBD on the other hand interacts with cannabinoid receptors in our brain and body, such as the serotonin receptor and other brain receptors, and it helps regulate fear and anxiety-induced behaviors in a more benevolent way. CBD has also been shown to act as an antidepressant. 

CBD has been repeatedly tested so that manufacturers of CBD-containing products can master their best products. The substance is also repeatedly tested to help determine what would be the best dosages for patients. 

For instance, one research conducted by Brazilian scientists, which involved 57 participants, showed that the group that was treated with oral CBD (300-mg dose) 90 minutes before they underwent a simulated public speaking test outperformed the placebo group who received CBD but in half that amount (150 mg). 

People who were administered the 300-mg CBD dosage within this research effort were found to be more relaxed and in good humor for the test exercise. Increased dosage of 600-mg, just like placebo, did not prove to be efficient. 

2. Brain Helper! CBD Offers Further Protection

CBD may help those who are fighting with neurological disorders, like epilepsy and Multiple sclerosis, as the compound positively affects the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling. So much that it neutralizes seizures and muscle spasms that can often be painful for the sufferer.

In fact, CBD solutions have proven to be the most outstanding medicine for rare epilepsy conditions like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. CBD oil significantly reduces seizure activity in children suffering from these two rare and cruel forms of epilepsy. Prescription drug CBD in the form of Epidolex is approved by the FDA to treat both Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes.

Research has also shown CBD may decrease inflammation and help prevent neurodegeneration processes associated with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, potentially preventing cognitive decline. However, more research is needed to probe how the compound affects people suffering from these conditions. More effort might also be required to produce a solution that will overcome side effects such as tremors, fatigue, and fever, reported in patients who've tested in trials.

3. Pain Reliever! Miracle Drug

Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional, famous writer Haruki Murakami once said. Our guess is that he was not aware of the new studies for CBD. According to these studies, CBD can act as a superior pain reliever as it effectively impacts endocannabinoid receptor activity. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human organism regulates multiple functions such as sleep, appetite, pain, and immune system response, so it's like CBD has a holistic approach to the body. Our body produces endocannabinoids-neurotransmitters that bind with cannabinoid receptors in our nervous system and act together to comfort people with chronic pains, including pains that accompany conditions like migraine, Multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

4. It Won't Go Breaking Your Heart

Stress, anxiety and one thing lead to another and it’s probably a matter of time when your cardiovascular system might be in danger. High blood pressure is associated with higher risks of a number of health conditions, including stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome. 

While it's advised that patients with heart conditions avoid using THC products, they might still benefit from some CBD. Several studies have demonstrated that CBD may help reduce inflammation and cell death associated with heart disease due to the compound's powerful antioxidant and stress-reducing properties. 

A study from 2017 had shown that CBD lowered blood pressure in healthy human volunteers when they were subjected to stress as part of the research. But after all, they were only healthy volunteers. Whether you want to treat an issue such as high blood pressure with CBD, you should still consult with a physician. 

In addition, at least two other studies have shown that CBD can offer protection from strokes. A 2010 review found that CBD may provide protection against brain damage and also help brain function recovery by invigorating the brain. Another study from 2017 demonstrated that CBD increased cerebral blood flow during a stroke, which may actually be one of the mechanisms to explain how the compound helps people with mental health issues in the first place. It may need some more time before patients with vascular conditions get access to perfected CBD drugs, and for now, science is on the right path to finding those drugs. 

5. Skincare. Recover Beauty

Are you a part of the population that has a skin condition called acne? If not, you have excellent genes or are just lucky! Acnes are a normal part of a teenager's life when the body is growing and changing. Otherwise, they can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, bacteria, underlying inflammation, and the overproduction of sebum.

CBD has inflammatory properties, and this is why it can help reduce sebum production. Researchers in one test-tube study discovered that CBD oil could act against sebaceous gland cells from secreting excessive sebum with its anti-inflammatory actions and at the same time inhibiting the activation of “pro-acne” agents like inflammatory cytokines. No matter how amazing these results seem to be, human studies exploring the effects of CBD on acne are still needed. Anyways, here is a recipe for how to prepare a marijuana herb lady ointment that you can use for various health conditions, including as a beauty product.

Risks to Consider Before Using CBD

CBD has the same peculiarities as grapefruit juice: both increase the level of blood thinner coumadin in your blood, and it can raise levels of certain other medications in your blood. No matter how many miraculous qualities could be attributed to CBD oil, you should definitely consult with a physician if you want to treat a more attention-demanding health issue with it. Consulting with a doctor is a must, especially if you are taking other medications to treat any ongoing condition you might be having.

While CBD is being studied as a treatment option or supplement for a wide range of conditions, including diabetes, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, MS, and anxiety, research supporting the overall benefits of CBD drugs is still somewhat limited. While it's one of the most promising drugs of the new century, it has some side effects that might vary from nausea, diarrhea to change in appetite and weight loss. Also, there are still no universal dosages to how to administer CBD-based oils and medicines, so it really depends from one individual to another. As is the golden rule in these cases, you always start with a small dosage and increase it gradually until you find the dosage that works best for you.

If this pandemic has thrown you into a hobby for which you have no particular talent, such as writing poetry, do not despair, you are not alone. Try CBD oil, it may open up new horizons, and it will definitely relax you.