The popularity of CBD-infused products has exploded in the recent past, and understandably so.
Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a naturally-occurring, non-psychoactive compound in cannabis that has demonstrated a remarkable potential for treating numerous ailments. The substance comes in multiple forms, the most common of which is CBD oil.
In this article, we narrow down our focus to the five health benefits of CBD oil.
- CBD Oil May Treat Arthritis
Arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease affects over 85 million Americans.
Arthritis has no cure, either. Most treatment options target the condition’s most bothersome symptoms, including pain and inflammation.
There are two forms of arthritis – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease affecting the bones and joint cartilage, causing severe pain and stiffness. The condition primarily affects the knees, hips, and thumb joints. It’s also the more prevalent of the two forms of arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system inexplicably attacks the joints. The disease commonly affects the feet and hands. It also manifests in excruciating pain, inflammation, and joint stiffness.
Whichever form of arthritis you’re suffering from, it’s reassuring to know that using cannabidiol might go a long way in making the condition manageable. A 2017 animal study found that CBD oil might treat joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Prior to this research, an earlier study established that CBD oil packs both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the compound might help relieve two of arthritis’ most worrisome symptoms – pain and inflammation.
- CBD Oil May Relieve PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most severe anxiety disorders. The condition affects people who’ve witnessed or listened to physically and/or emotionally traumatizing events.
Common victims include survivors of gruesome accidents, mass murders, child abuse, and close-combat military activities. PTSD may also affect the bereaved.
A 2019 literature review suggests that medical marijuana might help ease PTSD symptoms. These include nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, and insomnia. Note that cannabidiol is the primary ingredient in medical cannabis products. Therefore, this review points to CBD’s potential for relieving PTSD.
Many other studies have proven that cannabidiol might help ease people with PTSD. For instance, this research suggests that taking CBD oil immediately after witnessing a traumatizing event may prevent the brain from forming negative memories associated with the experience. That’s because CBD oil positively impacts the endocannabinoid system, a complex neuromodulatory system that affects crucial biological functions like memory formation.
Another article appearing on the Frontiers in Neuroscience lends further credence to CBD’s ability to inhibit the formation of intrusive memories in people with PTSD. The article indicates that CBD oil might reduce the excitation of the amygdala and hippocampus, the two brain regions that generally worsen PTSD symptoms.
- CBD Oil May Help Manage Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorders. The condition has no identifiable cause but is widely attributable to genetic predisposition, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Diabetes falls into three main categories. They include Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.
Although the risk and trigger factors may vary slightly across the three diabetes types, they all have a common origin. The conditions result from the body’s inability to produce enough insulin or utilize its insulin efficiently. Insulin is a hormone secreted in the pancreas, which plays an integral role in regulating blood glucose/sugar levels.
There’s limited research on cannabidiol’s direct effects on blood sugar. However, CBD’s positive interactions with the endocannabinoid system might explain why the compound is widely recommended for managing diabetes. Note that the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating energy metabolism, which involves sugar consumption.
Besides, emerging research suggests that the endocannabinoid system affects the body’s sensitivity to insulin in adipocytes. Since the hormone insulin is widely involved in all types of diabetes, researchers now opine that CBD oil might indirectly mitigate the severity of diabetes symptoms.
- CBD Oil May Help With Opioid Withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal is a medical term for symptoms when a person suddenly stops using opioids. These symptoms are indiscriminate. They can affect both medical and recreational opioid users.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can also vary in intensity and duration. The side effects can last anywhere from a couple of days to several months, depending on the nature of exposure to opioid drugs.
Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include;
- Pain, which primarily presents as headaches and muscle aches
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle spasms
- Elevated blood pressure
Cannabidiol oil might relieve most opioid withdrawal symptoms, helping opioid users wean off the effects of these drugs from their system. According to 2021 research, CBD might improve pain, anxiety, and insomnia for opioid withdrawal patients.
CBD also packs immense emetic properties. Therefore, using the compound during opioid withdrawal might help combat nausea and vomiting.
- CBD Oil May Rejuvenate Your Skin
Are you struggling with dry, scaly, or itchy skin and have tried all cosmetic products under the sun to no avail? Perhaps it’s time to look in the direction of cannabidiol.
CBD oil contains powerful moisturizing properties. Studies have shown that the compound might be incredibly effective in soothing skin dryness and irritation.
Like all cannabis extracts, CBD oil is also loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that minimize disease risks by neutralizing oxidative damage to cells occasioned by too many free radicals in the body.
Cannabidiol’s antioxidant properties make it a potential treatment for numerous skin infections. These range from bacterial to fungal and even viral infections. The antioxidants in CBD oil have also been cited for their ability to escalate recovery from wounds. Applying CBD-infused topicals gently on burns or blisters can speed up the healing process and help restore your skin health.
CBD oil also boasts a healthy balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Numerous studies have established that supplementing with these fatty acids can help nourish the skin while reducing various markers of premature aging, such as wrinkling and skin folds.
Last but not least, cannabidiol has proven helpful in treating the most common skin condition – acne. CBD treats acne by reducing the excitation of the sebum-secreting glands known as sebaceous glands.
Summary
Cannabidiol has a long list of applications. To make the most of CBD oil, experts recommend using the compound sparingly. Start low and build momentum gradually until you hit your ‘sweet spot.’
