CBD offers many therapeutic effects. It helps reduce anxiety and depression, soothe PTSD symptoms, as well as alleviate multiple sclerosis and injury-related pain.
CBD may also help lower blood pressure. A National Library of Medicine study discovered that CBD reduced sebocyte activity which clogs pores and causes acne breakouts.
Anxiety
Many people turn to CBD as an effective natural way of managing anxiety and depression. CBD products such as tinctures, capsules, edibles, vape pens and vape pens contain CBD oil which acts on more than 65 receptors in your brain including serotonin receptors that control mood regulation as well as other chemicals involved in depression and anxiety pathways.
CBD’s effectiveness for depression and anxiety stems largely from its ability to modulate the endocannabinoid system. Short-term, this promotes feelings of calm while stimulating cellular and molecular changes that stimulate neuroplasticity in brain regions related to depression and anxiety such as prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
Before using CBD for anxiety and depression, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider. This will ensure it doesn’t interfere with any prescription medicines you may be taking.
Pain
CBD interacts with a network of receptors known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS helps maintain homeostasis within our bodies by regulating mood, sleep, appetite and pain sensation. Full spectrum CBD may offer additional cannabinoids along with terpenes and flavonoids for an entourage effect that improves effectiveness of treatment for various conditions including chronic pain.
CBD helped reduce allodynia in a sciatic nerve injury mouse model, while coadministration with D9-THC decreased tolerance to morphine; suggesting that CBD enhances their analgesic actions.
Opioids are an opioid pain reliever of choice for many conditions, yet can lead to addiction and physical dependence. CBD may offer an easier and safer solution; taking capsules, swallowing under-the-tongue tinctures or sprays or applying oils and lotions or creams directly can all work to manage pain effectively. In the US, Sativex (a combination of CBD and THC) has even been approved as a medication to treat muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.
Inflammation
CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation in laboratory rodents by acting on their endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network of receptors which control physiological processes including pain sensation and mood regulation. Furthermore, it has proven itself as an alternative treatment option to opioids due to its anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties.
CBD increases gene expression that suppresses production of proinflammatory biochemicals in the central nervous system and other tissues. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated its effect on pain signaling receptors known as A3-glycine receptors and increasing Adenosine A2A receptor activity which decreases inflammation responses.
CBD is a non-psychoactive analgesic, taken orally or through inhalation using a vaporizing pen, for pain relief. Available forms include oils, drops, tinctures, creams and shampoos. Due to interactions with antidepressant drugs and seizure medications as well as some anti-seizure meds it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider prior to beginning a supplement program such as CBD.
Sleep
CBD has been shown to promote sleepiness and decrease insomnia. As an anti-inflammatory, CBD can also help you fall asleep more easily and remain asleep through the night. You can find CBD in various sleep products including dietary supplements and topicals; some even contain natural herbs like valerian or melatonin for additional aiding of restful slumber. As with all medicines or treatments for sleeping issues, always consult your physician prior to using any sleep products.
CBD works to boost levels of adenosine for better sleep while attenuating brain arousal systems, ultimately improving sleep quality and decreasing nightmares and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). RBD (REM Sleep Behavior Disorder) is a parasomnia caused by loss of atonia during REM sleep, leading to dream-enactment behaviors during REM sleep. It is commonly observed among neurodegenerative disorders like Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Current pharmacological treatments include benzodiazepines and melatonin [85, 85]. However, these drugs come with side effects and limited effectiveness – not suitable for long-term use [86]. By contrast, CBD has no significant sedative effects or memory function inhibition [85], actually improving learning and retention of memories.
