“CBD” has become a buzz word in the past few years, and its proven effectiveness in treating a wide variety of symptoms and disorders is expanding every day.
But what exactly is CBD? What is it used for? And most importantly… Should you be taking it?
And if you already know all about CBD and just want to know our favorite brand we use every day, then click here to find out.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the two most abundant chemicals found in the Cannabis plant (the other being THC).
While THC is a psychoactive chemical derived mainly from marijuana, CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical that can be derived from either marijuana or the hemp plant.
In short, CBD is not marijuana and it won’t get you high – not even a little bit – but it is all the rage in modern medicine as it continues to prove its use in improving numerous health conditions.
Here’s a short list of just some of its scientifically proven benefits:
- Relieves Pain Naturally
- Alleviates Anxiety and Depression
- Reduces Inflammation
- Helps to Fight Cancer
- Improves Sleep Disorders
- Protects Against Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Lowers Incidence of Diabetes
- Promotes Heart Health
- Has Anti-Addiction Properties
We’ll expand on these benefits in more detail in just a moment, but first, let’s see exactly how CBD works.
How CBD Works
The human body produces cannabinoids on its own and has its own built-in Endocannabinoid system to mediate their effects. The Endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating a number of important biological processes through two main Cannabinoid receptors: The CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are found throughout the body but are most prevalent in the brain. They deal mainly with coordination, pain, emotions and mood, thinking, appetite, and other functions.
CB2 receptors are found in the immune system. They deal mainly with inflammation and pain.
Rather than binding directly to these receptors, CBD acts indirectly on the Endocannabinoid system by directing the body to use more of its own cannabinoids. This is part of what makes it such a safe and effective natural treatment.
The fact that CBD doesn’t directly bind to these receptors is also a probable explanation for why it doesn’t have mind-altering effects like THC.
9 Proven Benefits of CBD
- Relieves Pain Naturally
Natural pain relief is the most common reason why people use CBD, as it has been proven to severely reduce chronic pain without creating dependency.
In the United States, over 100 million people suffer from chronic pain. In a landmark survey, almost half of all people who tried CBD to manage their chronic pain stopped taking traditional pharmaceutical medicines. (1)
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine showed that CBD significantly suppressed inflammatory and neuropathic pain without causing apparent analgesic tolerance in rodents. (2)
Other studies have shown that CBD helps reduce chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters.
A human study involving 766 participants showed that cannabinoids strongly and safely reduced various types of chronic pain associated with neuropathy, arthritis, fibromyalgia, HIV, and multiple sclerosis. (3)
Another 2015 study showed that topical application of CBD alleviated inflammation and pain from arthritis without side effects.
Given CBD’s incredible ability to decrease pain without apparent side effects or dependency, it is no wonder it is being touted as a modern miracle medicine.
- Alleviates Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are increasingly common in today’s fast-paced, technological society. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the largest contributing factor to disability worldwide, while anxiety comes in sixth place. (4)
CBD acts directly on the brain’s receptors for serotonin, which is a mood stabilizer responsible for reducing depression, regulating anxiety, and even coordination & sleep.
A 2015 study proved that CBD induced rapid-acting anti-depressant-like effects. (5)
In another human study, a single dose of CBD reduced anxiety in a brain imaging study of 10 people with Seasonal Affective Disorder [SAD]. (6)
CBD reduced blood flow to parts of the limbic system that are often overactive in anxiety while increasing blood flow to the posterior cingulate cortex, which is important for cognition and motivation.
Another fascinating human study placed 24 people in a simulated public speaking test. Participants who were administered CBD before the test showed significantly less anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort in their speech performance compared to the placebo group. (7)
- Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is another buzz word these days, and with good reason: We now understand that inflammation of various kinds is the root cause of almost all degenerative diseases.
Probably the single most promising aspect of CBD is its anti-inflammatory properties. It acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation, balance the immune system, and protect from oxidative stress and free radical production.
CBD acts directly on the immune cells to trigger a variety of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant reactions. It is a stronger antioxidant than vitamin C and vitamin E. (8)
In the human immune system, T cells regulate immune response by instructing other cells to behave in specific ways. One type of T cells are helper T cells, or Th cells.
CBD can blunt Th1 and Th2 dominance. Th1 and Th2 dominance is an inflammatory condition found in the immune system that contributes to a wide variety of immune diseases. (9)
Similarly, CBD can help suppress Th17 dominance, which is also linked to certain common autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Inflammation is also linked to pain, neurodegenerative conditions, mood, gut health, and a host of other conditions.
- Helps to Fight Cancer
As cancer rates continue to climb, it becomes ever more important to research and implement safe, effective treatments.
A review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found evidence that CBD significantly helped to prevent the spread of cancer.
Not only that, but the same research also noted CBD’s ability to promote the destruction of cancer cells. (10)
One study found that CBD induced cell death in human breast cancer cells, while another study showed that CBD inhibited the spread of aggressive breast cancer cells in mice. (11)
Additionally, CBD has been proven to alleviate nausea and vomiting, which are common adverse side effects associated with chemotherapy treatment. (12)
Due to CBD’s safety and lack of toxicity, it shows promise for prolonged treatment in cancer patients for alleviating pain, providing relief from nausea, and even halting the spread of cancer or destroying cancerous cells.
- Improves Sleep Disorders
Due to its relaxing, anxiety-reducing effects, CBD could help with sleep disorders such as insomnia or apnea and improve overall sleep quality.
It appears to have benefits over the THC found in marijuana, which generally helps users “pass out” but actually worsens sleep quality over time.
In fact, a survey of 163 adults using medical marijuana showed that users with insomnia prefer strains much higher in CBD as a sleep aid. (13)
Research also suggests taking CBD before bed improves sleep in people with insomnia.
A human study found that 15 mg of CBD appeared to have alerting properties during the day, and had no discernable effects on lights-off sleep. Another study showed that some users reported better sleep a few hours after taking CBD. (14)
As for myself, CBD has completely eradicated insomnia. I fall asleep quickly and wake up refreshed without the groggy feeling I’d have when I used marijuana as a sleep aid.
- Protects Against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
This area of research is particularly exciting to me because my father suffers from Parkinson’s disease. I have been amazed at the improvement in his speech, coordination, and quality of life since he started taking CBD.
Research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that CBD may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Their research showed that CBD helped prevent the development of social recognition memory deficits. (15)
Other studies have found that treatment with CBD improved quality of life and sleep quality for people with Parkinson’s. (16)
CBD’s strong anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties are likely reasons for its ability to help prevent the neurodegenerative decline associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- Lowers Incidence of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an increasingly common condition, with over 40,000 Americans being diagnosed each year. It results from inflammation that occurs when the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas.
Research published in 2016 by Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation found that CBD may ease this inflammation in the pancreas. (17)
Another paper published in the same year in Portugal suggested that CBD can protect against or delay the development of type 1 diabetes.
CBD also shows promise in treating type 2 diabetes. A 2006 study found that CBD treatment significantly reduced the incidence of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice from 86% to only 30%.
In 2013, the American Journal of Medicine published a study of 4,657 participants concluding that current marijuana users (marijuana contains CBD) had 16% lower fasting glucose and insulin levels, 18 % lower insulin resistance, smaller waist circumference and BMI, and higher HDL. These are all factors connected to the onset of diabetes symptoms.
Research shows that CBD could be not only safer but also more efficient than most diabetes medications.
- Promotes Heart Health
Some studies suggest that CBD could protect the heart by relaxing blood vessels, reducing inflammation, and combating oxidative stress.
In animal models of heart disease, CBD relaxed the arteries and protected blood vessel from damage.
It also protected from heart attacks and stroke by reducing damage to the heart and brain from clogged blood vessels and reducing irregular heart rhythms. (18)
One recent study treated 10 healthy men with a single dose of 600 mg of CBD oil and found it reduced resting blood pressure compared to a placebo.
The same study also gave the men stress tests that normally increase blood pressure. Interestingly, the single dose of CBD created a smaller blood pressure increase than normal in response to these tests. (19)
Researchers suggest that the anxiety-reducing properties of CBD are responsible for its ability to help lower blood pressure.
CBD even shows promise in maintaining and repairing healthy gut function.
A study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology reported that CBD reduced the vascular hyperpermeability which causes leaky gut, a condition in which food particles leak through the gut lining and into the bloodstream, creating a long list of adverse health conditions. (20)
- Has Anti-Addiction Properties
This is another area that hits close to home for me, as CBD was instrumental in helping me end my 15-year love affair with chronic marijuana use. It significantly reduced the withdrawal symptoms and cravings I experienced when I gave up this daily habit for good.
CBD has been shown to modify circuits in the brain related to drug addiction. In rats, CBD has been shown to reduce morphine dependence and heroin-seeking behavior. (21)
CBD also seems to work on the brain’s reward system.
Research also suggests that CBD may help people quit smoking or at least significantly reduce consumption. In a study of 24 smokers, CBD reduced the number of cigarettes smoked by about 40% without increasing cravings for nicotine. (22)
Other Uses of CBD
CBD continues to be studied more and more and is demonstrating its efficacy in treating a number of other health issues other than those outlined above.
Epilepsy: In June 2018, the FDA approved CBD to treat seizures associated with two rare severe forms of epilepsy. It has also been shown to decrease seizures in children by up to 50%. (23)
Acne: Acne is caused in part by inflammation, which increases sebaceous gland activity. A 2014 study by the Journal of Clinical Investigation showed that CBD lowers the production of sebum that leads to acne. (24)
Antipsychotic Effects: By lowering inflammation and decreasing anxiety, studies suggest that CBD may help people suffering from schizophrenia and other mental disorders. (25)
Skin Protection: CB2 receptors in the body are found most abundantly in the skin. CBD can repair damage from UV rays and environmental pollutants when applies topically. (26)
Side Effects
CBD is generally well tolerated at high doses with prolonged use in humans, with almost no significant side effects being reported in medical trials.
Some studies show that CBD may cause mild low blood pressure, dry mouth, lightheadedness and sedation. (27)
While usually used as a remedy for anxiety, at very high doses CBD can actually trigger anxiety. At these very high doses it becomes less effective for anxiety and more effective for pain relief.
So Is CBD Legal?
This is not legal advice and wasn’t reviewed by any lawyers, so consult a licensed attorney in your own jurisdiction to find out whether CBD is legal or not.
CBD derived from the hemp plant is not marijuana, and it won’t get you high. Not even a little bit.
Still, all cannabinoids are classified as Schedule 1 drugs in the USA.
It is a common claim that hemp CBD is 100% legal in all 50 U.S. states, and it’s not entirely false – but it’s not entirely true either. Retailers are free to ship it anywhere they want and it’s being promoted as a dietary supplement, so you can easily find it online and in health food stores.
Because it is a relatively new arrival to the scene, there is a grey area regarding its legal use.
So will you get busted? It depends on the state, your employer, and a host of other factors. But with its already wide availability and safe history of use, it’s unlikely that law enforcement is going to knock down your door for putting a few drops of non-psychoactive plant oil under your tongue to alleviate your tendonitis.
WARNING: Recently a handful of CBD brands were independently tested and the researchers found undisclosed, intentionally-added opiates hidden in a number of popular brands. They do this so that unsuspecting customers feel it more and assume it's the CBD that's responsible.
It's important to make sure you know and trust whatever CBD source you choose.
How To Use CBD: Instructions and Dosage
The correct dosage of CBD will vary from person to person, depending on their goals or the health issue being targeted.
For protecting the brain, such as in cases of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, doses of 100 mg to 600 mg were used in clinical studies.
300 mg per day was sufficient to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in most clinical studies.
At higher doses, CBD generally becomes less effective at treating anxiety but more effective at treating pain.
I recommend taking at least 25mg of CBD twice daily to combat anxiety and inflammation, but you’ll probably find that even lower doses improve your health.
Okay, I’m Convinced – So Where Can I Get CBD?
theveritasfarms.com
