CBD may provide effective treatments for many conditions. Finding the proper dose may require some experimentation.
THC:CBD extract significantly decreased pain NRS scores among participants with advanced cancer who experienced inadequate analgesia despite opioid background medications, without correlating with changes in background medications or breakthrough medication usage. This change did not correspond to changes in opioid background medication use or breakthrough medication consumption.
1. Pain Relief
CBD can be an extremely powerful pain reliever that can alleviate symptoms associated with various conditions. By binding to receptors in the brain and nervous system, it reduces inflammatory pain while inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that contribute to chronic aches and pains. CBD has also been proven to alleviate nerve damage-induced pain relief as well as osteoarthritis pain reduction when applied topically; and may even improve sleep for those struggling with insomnia.
Though more research needs to be conducted on this subject, one promising indicator of CBD’s effectiveness in treating pain comes from its treatment of certain forms of epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome) for which FDA approved Epidiolex. People suffering chronic pain have also reported using CBD oil for its soothing and relaxing properties to ease aches and inflammation as well as better restful nights’ rest.
2. Anxiety Relief
CBD interacts with over 65 receptors in your brain, including 5-HT1A and eCB receptors that have been associated with anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, it boosts levels of serotonin to provide a calming and grounded feeling.
Preclinical evidence supports CBD’s anxiolytic and anti-anxiety effects with its bell-shaped dose response curve, including reduced autonomic arousal levels, decreased fear expression levels, enhanced fear extinction/reconsolidation blockade capabilities and prevention of long-term anxiogenic side effects of stress.
Clinical studies firmly establish the anxiolytic and anti-anxiety benefits of CBD. One such research project involved giving people CBD before public speaking events; those taking it had significantly less anxiety compared to those not taking any pills at all. Other studies have produced similar results with respect to social anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
3. Sleep Improvement
CBD may improve sleep quality by helping the body progress through all of the normal stages of the sleep-wake cycle. This may benefit people with circadian rhythm disorders or shift workers whose sleeping windows vary with work shift schedules.
Studies show that CBD has a beneficial impact on cannabinoid receptors linked to anxiety. When one’s body feels less anxious, falling asleep quickly becomes easier, providing for restful nights of restful slumber.
Melatonin is an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid readily available at most pharmacies. While its effect may reduce time taken to fall asleep, its effectiveness in improving quality sleep may be limited since its benefits only reach those whose natural production of melatonin has diminished significantly. CBD may provide greater potential in treating insomnia problems without interfering with existing medication usage patterns.
4. Depression Relief
Many who take CBD report increased mood enhancement and reduced depression symptoms. This is likely because CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to alleviate anxiety and mood disorders, according to studies done since 2019. A 2019 study also discovered that CBD could cause an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), known to relieve depression symptoms.
Low levels of serotonin have long been linked to depression, and a 2014 animal study suggested that CBD’s effect on brain receptors could help increase serotonin levels. While CBD should not replace prescribed medication without first consulting with your physician, a recent survey demonstrated many people using it unwittingly for treating both anxiety and depression without informing their physician.
5. Insomnia
CBD is an all-natural remedy that doesn’t pose the same potential side effects as many over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids or sleeping pills, helping you sleep faster and for longer.
Insomnia is often caused by anxiety and other health conditions. Studies have revealed that CBD helps alleviate anxiety levels and promote better restful nights for people suffering from insomnia.
However, most studies involving CBD and insomnia involved patients suffering from other health issues, like anxiety and pain. Therefore it’s not clear whether CBD directly assists insomnia sufferers or relieves associated symptoms from other health concerns.
Sativex, which contains CBD from cannabis, was demonstrated to help people suffering from insomnia sleep better, as well as reduce seizures during the night for children suffering severe epilepsy. The results were published in Seizure journal.
