We don’t accept payments for promoting partner links on this page. Our editorial content is based on rigorous study and consultation from the Forbes Health Advisory Board. Getty Creative.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical component found in the cannabis sativa plant. When applied topically or consumed via smoke inhalation or ingestion, CBD interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in your endocannabinoid system, which transmits messages between cells to help control your movement, mood, homeostasis and immune system.
The majority of people who use CBD are searching for a calming effect, and the ability to calm is perhaps its most famous function. In a simulated public speaking test conducted in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry in 2017, researchers tested anxiety levels among 57 males. Some participants were given a placebo, while others received either 150 mg, 300 mg, or 600 mg of CBD before giving their speeches. CBD reduced anxiety in participants who received 300 milligrams of CBD more than those who received a placebo, according to the research. Participants who got either 150 or 600 milligrams of CBD experienced more anxiety during the test than those who took 300 milligrams.
CBD, on the other hand, has been shown in studies with mice to have similar antidepressant properties to those of imipramine. However, human trials are required to determine whether CBD produces the same antidepressant effect in our bodies as imipramine.
CBD may be used to treat epileptic seizures in some circumstances. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Epidiolex brand name approval for the treatment of seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome—two uncommon epilepsy syndromes—in individuals at least 2 years old.
The FDA’s decision is supported by three well-done research. 516 children with Lennox-Gastaut or Dravet syndrome were enrolled in two trials and given either Epidiolex or a placebo. Compared to the placebo, Epidiolex administration together with other prescribed medicines decreased the number of seizures in participants.
In a small 2018 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11 individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were given CBD in addition to standard psychiatric treatment for eight weeks at an outpatient psychiatric clinic. Ten of the 11 showed improvements in their PTSD symptoms. CBD was generally well tolerated, according to the researchers.
“There’s a lot of therapy that is needed for PTSD,” explains Dr. Margaret Rajnic, a doctor of nursing practice with expertise in medical cannabis and CBD. “But CBD will give you just enough anxiety relief.”
CBD has been linked to a reduction in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in four separate human trials conducted between 2012 and 2016, with or without THC, the main mind-altering component of cannabis. When THC and CBD are combined, they form an “entourage effect,” which complements each other’s advantages and effectiveness.
CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, making it a potential candidate for the treatment of opioid addiction. CBD has also been studied in animal and human clinical trials, with some suggesting that it may be useful in assisting people who are addicted to opioids.
In one such experiment, scientists gave CBD to heroin users suffering from addiction. CBD significantly reduced heroin users’ cue-induced cravings, withdrawal anxiety, resting heart rate, and cortisol levels over the course of a week. No serious adverse effects were observed throughout the study.
CBD has been shown to help with a variety of psychiatric and medical issues including anxiety, sleeplessness, and pain in individuals with substance use disorders, suggesting that CBD may be an effective treatment for opioid addiction. However, further research is needed.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. It’s not yet known what causes it, but it can occur because to inheritance in some circumstances. There is no effective cure and just two FDA-approved medicines exist to assist with ALS symptoms.
According to studies, people with ALS may benefit from the entourage effect produced by the mixture of THC and CBD, similar to those who have PTSD. People received a combination of THC and CBD in varying doses based on their requirements and tastes in a 2019 study. Spasticity is a common problem among people with ALS, affecting over 60% of participants. People who reported severe spasticity were more satisfied than those who had moderate or mild spasticity; people with moderate to severe spasticity were more satisfied than those with mild spasticity.
In 2005, Canada legalized the use of Sativex, a mouth spray containing equal amounts of THC and CBD for the treatment of central neuropathic pain associated with multiple sclerosis. In 2007, Canada authorized the medication’s usage again for cancer pain that had failed to respond to other therapies.
Meanwhile, studies in the United States continue to support CBD’s efficacy in treating chronic non-cancer pain. Researchers applied CBD topically to a group of patients with symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in one 2020 study, while another group received a placebo. The topical CBD treatment decreased intense, sharp pains and cold, itchy sensations in those who used it compared to those who used a placebo. There were no reports of any adverse effects.
CBD oil applied topically does not have the same systemic effect as CBD oil taken by mouth because it doesn’t enter the bloodstream. Topical CBD, on the other hand, is more focused and treats pain in a particular location. As a result, it may have a stronger impact.
CBD helps reduce the effects of high glucose levels on other cells in the body, which is a sign that it may help prevent diabetes and other health issues. CBD has been found to have a variety of benefits in patients with diabetes, diabetic complications, and plaque buildup in artery walls, according to the researchers.
In one small trial, 13 people with type 2 diabetes who were not receiving insulin therapy were given both CBD and a placebo (as opposed to insulin). CBD decreased resistin levels (which causes resistance to insulin, the protein that regulates blood sugar) and increased glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide levels in comparison to their baseline values before the study began.According to the study, CBD could be a natural diabetes treatment by aiding in the regulation of insulin-related hormones.
CBD has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, according to preclinical and clinical research. These features were inferred to give significant neuroprotection, or protection against a wide range of diseases.
CBD has been shown in several preclinical studies to have protective effects against Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Huntington’s disease and cerebral ischemia were also studied; however, significant positive results were not found. Additional clinical research is required to validate CBD’s efficacy as a therapy for these diseases.
Arthritis is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding your joints. There are numerous forms of arthritis, and they all cause discomfort, stiffness, and restricted motion. Pain alleviation and improved joint function are two common aims in arthritis therapy.
A 2006 research found that when Sativex, a CBD-based botanical drug authorized in the United Kingdom in 2010, was compared to a placebo, it significantly enhanced sleep quality, movement pain and resting pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It was the first study of Sativex in rheumatoid arthritis, with 58 participants. CBD was shown to relieve pain as well as inhibit disease activity.
In 2018, researchers gave patients with knee pain due to osteoarthritis a synthetic CBD gel in either 250-milligram or 500-milligram doses per day or a placebo. Patients also stopped using any other anti-inflammatory medications or painkillers, except for acetaminophen, before and during the study period.
The findings were intriguing, although not completely conclusive. When compared to placebo patients, those who had CBD applied did not report significantly more pain. On the other hand, CBD administration had statistically significant differences between the group taking 250 milligrams per day and the placebo group when it came to assessing their worst pain levels and their WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) overall physical function score. Additionally, in this study, males appeared to benefit more significantly than female
Join us on Instagram for the latest updates on Helix product and even more amazing offers!