CBD’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce oil buildup on skin that leads to acne outbreaks, while serving as a natural pain reliever.
Epidyolex and Sativex, two CBD-based medicines approved by the FDA to treat rare seizure disorders and reduce muscle stiffness and spasms associated with MS, respectively, respectively have both received FDA approval. Additional clinical studies are ongoing.
Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Studies on CBD’s ability to help with anxiety and mood disorders have been promising, with several small studies concluding it can have beneficial results. Unfortunately, all evidence is limited to non-randomized trials; more research needs to be conducted in order to confirm these results and ascertain optimal dosage levels.
Healthy volunteers found that CBD significantly decreased blood oxygenation levels in their amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex when viewing fearful faces, as well as decreased prefrontal-subcortical connectivity, suggesting its anxiolytic properties. Furthermore, just one oral dose reduced anxiety during a public speaking test in male subjects.
An extensive chart review of 103 patients who were seeking relief for anxiety and sleep issues revealed that CBD significantly reduced both anxiety and sleep scores over a month’s time, and an open-label trial with people suffering PTSD reported both improved sleep and reduced anxiety. Because CBD can interact with certain medications, it’s essential that before beginning therapy it be discussed with your physician; they will determine the appropriate starting dose while monitoring its effect.
Stress
Preclinical CBD research shows that it can successfully decrease anxiety behaviors related to various conditions, including PTSD, GAD and PD. Its anxiolytic properties appear to be mediated by both CB1Rs and 5-HT1ARs in multiple brain regions.
Under EPM model of stress, systemic CBD was shown to effectively counteract acute increases in heart rate and blood pressure induced by restraint stress, in part through 5-HT1AR activation. Furthermore, CBD significantly attenuated anxiogenic effects caused by predator stress by targeting this receptor directly and partially mitigating them via 5-HT1AR activation.
CBD has also been found to aid extinction training of contextually conditioned fear responses via CB1Rs, while acting as a panicolytic in the ETM models such as DPAG and boa constrictor snake, and decreasing defensive immobility during predator stress in BNST models.
A self-reporting survey of CBD users revealed that 42.6% endorsed using it to help manage anxiety, stress and sleep issues; however, due to not being random and participants recruited from social media sites (potential biases may have introduced bias into this research), further investigation is required in understanding how low doses of CBD used by general populations impact mental health symptoms like anxiety and sleep issues.
Pain
CBD interacts with numerous receptors in our bodies, including those involved in pain signaling and inflammation. Studies suggest it alters their activity and thus may reduce pain signals from either brain or body.
CBD has also been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve pain and improve joint and muscle conditions. Furthermore, CBD can be taken orally via tincture capsule or vape for administration topically or sublingually.
The opioid crisis has driven many to seek alternative pain medicines, with CBD showing great promise as an option. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy against chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting while short-term use by adults with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity has resulted in improved patient reported symptoms.
Digestive Issues
When the digestive tract goes haywire, it can significantly impact your mood, energy production and stress levels. CBD has gained in popularity as an all-natural solution for treating IBS symptoms such as pain and inflammation.
The ECS (Endocannabinoid System) is a network of receptors throughout your nervous system that respond to naturally produced endocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids like CBD. These receptors can be found throughout your gut; CBD interacts with them to potentially lower inflammation while simultaneously controlling how your cells communicate or process messages.
The ECS also features a close link between mind and gut health, so CBD may help relieve anxiety and stress that negatively impacts digestive function, leading to symptoms like bloating or abdominal pain. Furthermore, CBD may interact with specific receptors on receptor sites in your digestive tract to increase appetite or aid in digesting food more effectively. Before beginning use of any CBD products sold online or elsewhere, make sure you consult with a healthcare provider first as many products contain less CBD than advertised or even dangerously high concentrations of THC.
