It certainly seems like CBD is something special: people all over the country have discovered the myriad of ways it can help with various health conditions. People who thought they would never go near a product with any connection to cannabis are changing their tune, as they realize the dramatic ways that CBD can improve their lives.
This compound has been used to treat everything from epilepsy to cancer, and while the science behind all of it has a long way to go, research is starting to really back up many of these seemingly wild claims. CBD has been used to treat chronic pain, to help people deal with depression, PTSD and anxiety, and more benefits are seeming to be discovered every day.
But, for the health conscious among us, the question remains: can CBD enhance your health? Yes, it does seem to be a godsend for people suffering from specific conditions, but, what about healthy people who want to get healthier? Are there any benefits for athletes? How about people looking to slow down the aging process? Read on to discover some of what we’ve learned about CBD for health:
What Is CBD?
First, let’s answer the most basic question of all: what, exactly, is CBD? For some people this may seem a bit obvious, but it’s important that we address it because there’s also a good deal of misinformation out there. Simply put: CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the active compounds in the cannabis plant. It is not the same thing as THC, the active compound in marijuana, and does not have the same psychoactive effects. CBD will not get you high, although it does have benefits, reported by many users, in relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. CBD is also legal in all 50 states if it has been distilled from the hemp plant and does not contain THC; rather than a drug, it is just a very beneficial natural compound.
Is It Safe?
One of the biggest selling points of CBD is that it is, in fact, very safe to use. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs and even some nutritional supplements, CBD usually has few, if any, side effects. Needless to say, of course, although the compound itself is completely safe, it is important to exercise caution when shopping for CBD products. You will want to make sure they have been extracted in a safe manner, with oversight in a professional laboratory. The laws regarding this are still a little murky, so it’s important to do a little research of your own and make sure you are dealing with a reputable CBD company.
What Is It Used For?
A better question may be, what isn’t it used for? CBD has been used to treat so many different conditions that you could write a whole book about it, not just a blog post. But, in summary, here are a few of the conditions the CBD has helped:
Acne
Alchohol Addiction
Alzheimer’s
Anxiety
Arthritis
Cancer
Chronic Pain
Depression
Dementia
Diabetes
Digestive Health
Epilepsy
High Blood Pressure
Insomnia
Parkinson’s Disease
PTSD
Social Anxiety
What About For General Health?
The above benefits are probably enough to sell most people on CBD, because millions of people suffer from some form of the above conditions and may be able to find relief. But how about CBD’s benefits for general health? Well, research has backed that up, too.
Reduced Risk Of Heart Disease And Stroke
CBD’s ability to reduce inflammation may also reduce your risk of atherosclerosis and other problems that may lead to heart disease and stroke. A 2013 study, which measured data from 4,652 participants, compared non users of CBD to current and former users. The study discovered that current CBD users had higher blood levels of HDL-C, better known as high-density lipoprotein or “good cholesterol.” Not only that, they had decreased levels of LDL-C, more popularly known as “bad cholesterol.” So adding CBD to your regular routine may have a beneficial impact on your cholesterol levels.
CBD Also Helps Fight Diabetes And Obesity
Other studies have discovered that CBD users have a reduced risk of diabetes and obesity. Several different studies have shown that people who regularly include CBD products in their daily routine have a lower body mass index and a smaller waist circumference. Somehow, CBD seems to help with weight loss, in addition to its other benefits.
It was also discovered that current CBD users had lowered fasting insulin levels – up to 16 percent, in some cases – reducing their risk of diabetes. Excessive insulin leads to more fat storage, and ultimately to weight gain and obesity. CBD may help reduce insulin levels and therefore help you lose weight and keep it off.
A Natural Product
For many people, one of the big selling points of CBD is that it’s all natural. In fact, the hemp plant that CBD is derived from has been used by several cultures for thousands of years, with science only now backing up what they’ve known all along. The benefits of CBD are more complex than a simple compound derived from a plant; part of its benefits come from its antioxidant effect, and the fact that the CBD compound is surrounded by other terpenes.
There are a great deal of what are known as phytocannabinoids in the hemp plant, and many of them may contribute to the benefits of CBD for health.
How To Consume CBD
CBD is consumed in a variety of ways, each with their own benefits. It can be distilled into oils and tinctures; it can then be placed directly in the mouth and absorbed by the soft tissues. The oil of CBD can also be vaped. It can be made into topical creams as well.
CBD can also be used in edible products like foods, candies, and juices. Many people prefer to get their CBD by eating or drinking it, and more and more products have appeared on the market to allow them to do just that. However you plan to consume it, we think it is worth it for the health-conscious individual to give CBD a try.
