One common misperception about CBD is that its soothing effects will take immediate effect; in reality, however, its beneficial results take time. Therefore, starting small and gradually building up to a dosage that meets your individual needs is the optimal approach.
Oils and tinctures that are dropped under the tongue provide quick bioavailability, while CBD gummies and edibles require digestion for full effect.
Anxiety and Mood Disorders
When living with a mood disorder, your emotional state often fluctuates rapidly and unpredictably. Feeling sad, empty, irritable (depression) or experiencing periods of extreme happiness accompanied by restlessness (mania). Talk therapy and medications may help manage these episodes, while CBD may provide further relief to reduce symptoms.
Studies indicate that CBD can have antidepressant and anxiolytic properties. Furthermore, it may reduce anxiety and insomnia symptoms; however further study must be completed on these claims.
Although CBD supplements are considered generally safe, it’s wise to consult your physician prior to adding it into your treatment regimen. CBD may interact with certain medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Furthermore, taking CBD with other sleep inducers could make you sleepy and can increase drowsiness levels – so avoid taking too much at once!
CBD may not yet have FDA approval as a medication for any condition, but there is ample scientific evidence supporting its anxiolytic properties. A clinical study comparing participants who took 300 milligrams of CBD with those taking placebo found that those in the former group experienced significantly less anxiety during a public speaking test simulation than their counterparts did.
Pain Relief
CBD interacts with an integral component of the human cell signaling system known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), helping your cells respond to various stimuli and create anti-inflammatory effects. CBD may offer relief for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, chronic back pain and neuropathies.
CBD may help relieve symptoms of opioid dependence in individuals. One study demonstrated how CBD could effectively alleviate cue-induced heroin cravings, withdrawal anxiety and resting heart rate fluctuations for people addicted to opioids. Furthermore, CBD helped them sleep better while simultaneously decreasing levels of stress-linked proteins found in their blood.
Studies conducted using CBD-based botanical drug Sativex demonstrated its ability to relieve movement- and rest-associated discomfort for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Topical applications can also provide relief, although topical application takes longer due to passing through your digestive system before reaching your bloodstream.
Sleep Disorders
CBD helps relax the nervous system, providing relief to people suffering from sleep disorders such as difficulty falling or staying asleep at night, early awakenings or irregular patterns of wakefulness. Furthermore, many sleep disorders cause anxiety which impedes sleeping patterns further.
Clinical studies relating CBD and sleep demonstrate that it can assist in the regulation of the circadian rhythm, which is your body’s internal clock that determines when you should feel alert or sleep. Furthermore, CBD may aid with REM sleep – essential for brain health.
CBD may help with parasomnias, which are sleep-related hallucinations or events such as nightmares, RPE (Restless Leg Syndrome) episodes or sleep paralysis. CBD can reduce their frequency as well as help with night sweats caused by being too warm while sleeping or RLS syndrome – in which your legs move uncontrollably during REM sleep.
Arthritis
CBD works by binding to CB1 receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which blocks pain signals at their source. Furthermore, it increases anandamide production within your body – which acts as an all-natural painkiller. Studies suggest that those living with arthritis find relief through taking CBD supplements.
CBD may interact with certain medications used to treat inflammation-induced arthritis, such as corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), tofacitinib (Xeljanz), methotrexate (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and azathioprine (Immunosuppressant). Furthermore, CBD could increase blood concentrations of anticoagulant medication coumadin (Warfarin).
People who use CBD for arthritis report it relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, while some find they can reduce or discontinue other arthritic medicines altogether. Studies showed those suffering from rheumatoid, osteoarthritis or other autoimmune forms saw greater improvement in pain levels and other symptoms when taking CBD than those solely experiencing osteoarthritis or with no inflammation whatsoever – even when accounting for demographic differences and medications used.
