CBD has been shown to have direct redox balancing benefits due to its antioxidant activity, helping the body ward off pathologies caused by oxidative stress.
This retrospective observational study demonstrated that CBD-rich treatments had an advantageous impact on self-perceived moderate to severe symptoms of pain, anxiety and depression and overall wellbeing; however they had no such beneficial impact for mild symptoms. Further investigation is necessary in order to understand this finding.
1. Reduces anxiety
CBD significantly decreased experimentally induced anxiety without altering baseline levels, and improved fear extinction. Furthermore, CBD attenuated cingulate and prefrontal cortex activation during intensely fearful stimuli exposures as well as decreasing skin conductance fluctuation magnitude.
CBD may also help prevent increased heart rate and blood pressure caused by chronic unpredictable stress in rats through its effects on the endocannabinoid system (eCB system) action, and CBD has also been found to block anxiogenic effects of morphine on mice by blocking receptor-based mechanisms.
CBD may help treat certain anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). More rigorous clinical studies are still necessary, however. When choosing your hemp supplier and purchasing CBD products from them, always request a certificate of analysis for every product to ensure the amount listed matches its label claims.
2. Reduces pain
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to modulate pain signals in the brain and nervous system, which can reduce discomfort for some individuals. Anti-inflammatory effects help ease inflammatory pain associated with arthritis; CBD may also help ease neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage or dysfunction.
One study published in Pain showed that Sativex, a combination of THC and CBD, significantly reduced all types of pain for multiple sclerosis patients; however, further investigation must be done into using CBD for chronic pain management. Furthermore, CBD has also been demonstrated to decrease anxiety associated with pain, depression and psychosis.
Before taking CBD, always consult with a healthcare professional in order to ascertain its safety, particularly if you take medications that interact with liver cytochrome P450 enzymes. They will consider your medical history, current medications and any other relevant details in order to provide tailored recommendations that suit you specifically.
3. Reduces inflammation
CBD contains potency anti-inflammatory properties that can ease arthritis pain or other health conditions, as well as reduce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhance cellular repair for enhanced muscle recovery.
Studies demonstrate that CBD reduces inflammation by activating PPARg and A2A receptors, and has even been found to prevent reperfusion injury by decreasing oxidative stress levels in the brain.
CBD may also possess anti-inflammatory properties by blocking COX enzymes responsible for producing histamines that cause inflammation in our bodies. This makes CBD an effective alternative to NSAIDs which often come with unpleasant side effects like stomach upset.
Topically applying CBD can provide fast and potency effects of its cannabinoids directly to affected areas, be it through oil, vapes, patches or vaping. Applying it topically allows users to feel its effects quickly.
4. Reduces seizures
CBD blocks the ability of certain proteins to amplify nerve signals that lead to seizures and weaken counter signals that help stop them, potentially helping reduce seizures in those suffering refractory epilepsy. It may be used as an effective treatment method.
CBD may interact with some medications and increase their effects, including anticonvulsants like phenobarbital, Lamictal (lamotrigine), Onfi (clobazam), and Tegretol (carbamazepine). Furthermore, CBD can decrease benzodiazepine sedatives like Klonopin and Ativan’s effects while increasing those of immune-suppressant drugs like Cyclosporine and Rifampin.
CBD has proven itself effective at managing seizures in children suffering from Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Approved by the FDA as Epidiolex to treat both disorders in 2018, Epidiolex significantly reduced drop seizure frequency among its users.
5. Improves sleep
CBD helps people suffering from insomnia to sleep by soothing their nervous systems and increasing serotonin production, which helps naturally balance moods.
CBD may assist those suffering from restless leg syndrome (RLS), an involuntary muscle twitching condition which interrupts sleep. Furthermore, CBD could potentially reduce nightmares associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CBD decreases activity in the amygdala of the brain responsible for fear and paranoia.
Your individual body chemistry plays a large part in how CBD affects you, with various delivery methods and dosages having different results. Always consult a healthcare professional before beginning new supplements or medications such as CBD; some drugs can interact with CBD to cause unwanted side effects – for instance taking antidepressants which cause sleepiness together could increase their sedative effect even more.
