The CBD industry is flourishing, and several brands are manufacturing a wide array of CBD supplements, ranging from edibles to topicals like pain relief balms and body lotions. Another reason contributing to the increased popularity of CBD is its medicinal value.
Studies suggest that CBD may help deal with many health conditions like depression, pain, and anxiety. However, as a novice user, you may wonder what medical conditions can CBD help with before starting to use it. So, we’ll discuss CBD and the five medical conditions it may help you deal with in this article.
What is CBD?
Firstly, CBD is one of the cannabinoids present in cannabis plants, marijuana, and hemp. Before you confuse CBD with its cousin THC and the psychoactive effects it brings, you must know they are different. CBD is not highly psychoactive like THC. Thus CBD (Cannabidiol) does not cause any euphoric high in users. There are tons of CBD products designed to help users with health conditions, both physical and psychological. Let’s see what they are.
Insomnia
Insomnia, commonly known as a sleep disorder, is becoming prevalent lately. Statistics suggest that nearly 10 – 30% of adults experience sleep disorders worldwide. Some people, especially elders, may consider synthetic medication for insomnia. Doing so may help them sleep at the given time but can cause side effects in the long run.
However, CBD may help reduce insomnia with little to no side effects, thanks to its potent calming and soothing properties. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and can calm the mind by eliminating any negative and depressing thoughts. Also, the calming effects help you relax and remain in slumber sleep through the night. The best part is that you can easily find high-quality CBD oil to help you sleep online.
Anxiety and Depression
The prevalence of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression is also increasing lately. From celebrities to teenagers, almost everyone is likely to encounter anxiety disorder in their lives. CBD may help in reducing anxiety disorders and depression as well. Since stress is the primary cause of anxiety and depression, physical stress and psychological stress may trigger anxiety.
Luckily, CBD may help in relieving stress by reducing cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is the primary stress hormone. The anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties of CBD help eliminate anxious and depressing thoughts. CBD may also increase serotonin levels, which are responsible for mood and happiness. Thus, by reducing stress and uplifting the mood, CBD may help reduce anxiety and depression. People experiencing GAD, PTSD, and other forms of anxiety disorders may also benefit from its use.
Pain Management
CBD is also becoming popular as a natural painkiller for many users. Even some athletes are using CBD for pain management. Unfortunately, many others also experience chronic pain or pain induced by medical conditions and treatments. While painkillers may do the trick, for the time being, they may cause severe side effects in the long run—no wonder why people are switching to an all-natural alternative like CBD for pain management.
CBD is anti-inflammatory, so it may help in reducing inflammations and pain caused by it. CBD interacts with the ECS and may restrict the receptors from receiving pain signals from various body parts. That way, it may numb the pain and alter its perception. Whether you experience muscle soreness after a long day of workout in the gym or experience joint pain due to arthritis, CBD may help.
Acne
CBD has spread its wings into the skincare sector as well. With many brands incorporating CBD in their products, the popularity of CBD topicals like body butter, lotions, and creams is increasing. These CBD-infused skincare products may help people dealing with skin conditions like acne. Excess production of sebum, the natural oil in the skin cells, is the primary cause of acne. Accompanied by dead cells, dirt, and sweat, it accumulates in the skin pores. That, in return, causes inflammation and bacteria buildup causing the skin to break out.
The potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may help with such skin problems. In addition, CBD interacts with the ECS and may regulate sebum levels in the skin too. Thus, it may also prevent acne in the first place.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a type of chronic disorder resulting in sudden seizures. There is anecdotal evidence of CBD reducing seizure frequency among people experiencing epilepsy for several decades. However, a research study published by the New England Journal of Medicine in 2018 backs such anecdotal evidence. The study mentions that CBD may reduce the seizure frequency in Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome. It is a type of epilepsy common among children.
The FDA has also approved a CBD-based oral medicine, Epidiolex, for Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome the same year. That said, we still need more research on CBD and epilepsy to know whether there are any adverse effects of using CBD as a medication.
Final Thoughts
Those were the five medical conditions that CBD intake may improve. Novice users must know that they should only use high-quality CBD products from renowned sellers and manufacturers like Sunday Scaries. The dosage of CBD products also plays a crucial role in evading any potential adverse effects. So, it’s better to start with small quantities of CBD and slowly increase the dosage accordingly. That way, you can notice how CBD affects your body and analyze the proper dosage suitable for you.