Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most talked-about compounds of the cannabis plant and there is no doubt that it is among the most sought ingredients at the moment.
In 2018, Farm Bill legalized the growth of hemp in the United States. It also made it legal to sell products containing CBD that derives only from hemp but not marijuana, in the US and abroad. Hence, CBD is conquering the global market and the demand for CBD related products is increasing day by day.
In June 2018, Epidiolex became the first medication containing CBD, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used for the treatment of seizures. FDA decided this after noticing the decrease of seizures in children, at a time when other medications did not give any effect at all. Besides Epidiolex medication and seizures, CBD products are used to treat many other health conditions, from stress to serious diseases.
What Is CBD and How Does It Work?
The two most popular compounds deriving from the cannabis plant are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is a chemical compound extracted from the cannabis plant, mainly the hemp plant. Unlike THC which derives from marijuana, CBD is not psychoactive, thus it doesn’t get you high.
What Are the CBD Health Benefits?
CBD is widely used for medical purposes. Its potential benefits include the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, pain, inflammation, and many more.
CBD and Inflammation
Inflammation can be of several types, two main types are acute or chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to many other diseases including heart diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, etc. CBD is one of the safest medicines for treating inflammation, this has been supported by many studies as well.
CBD and Anxiety
Millions of people around the world cope with anxiety, a condition that affects overall health According to a survey with cannabis plant users, anxiety and stress are the main reasons why people use cannabis. 39% of people in this survey said they use cannabis primarily for medical or wellness reasons.
Cannabidiol is considered one of the main and very effective ingredients for improving anxiety because it brings a sense of calm and relaxation. Moreover, serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and behavior and CBD can act on the serotonin brain’s receptors. However, keep in mind that if you decide to use CBD for anxiety, let it be just CBD and do not mix it with THC, to avoid any possible opposite effects.
CBD and Heart
According to a research by the American Society for Clinical Investigation, CBD can help lowering blood pressure. Research has shown that CBD’s effects on improving anxiety resulted in lowering blood pressure which also affected heart health in a positive way.
CBD and Skin
Studies have shown that cannabidiol (CBD) is a good ingredient for moisturizing, soothing, and protecting the skin. It also helps with pore-clogging and leads to cleaner skin.
CBD can also help to treat several skin conditions, such as:
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Dermatitis
- Scars
Among other things, CBD is used for nails, hair, and bones. In case of any injury, CBD can help to heal the wound faster. Recently, an article published by researchers from the University of Nebraska and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, suggested that CBD could be used to help in fighting coronavirus. According to them, CBD and THC can both help with lung inflammation that can be caused by COVID-19.
How Can I Use CBD?
In the market, CBD is available in various forms. You can find CBD in the form of oils, tablets, gummies, creams, etc. CBD products can be mixed with food or drinks or used on their own.