Mar 29, 2018

Why use a CBD Oil?

Natural pain relief or anti-inflammatory properties

People commonly use prescription or over-the-counter drugs to relieve pain and stiffness, including chronic pain. Some people feel that CBD offers a more natural way to lower pain. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that CBD significantly reduced chronic inflammation and pain in some mice and rats.

Researchers have determined that CBD interacts with the receptors in your brain and immune system. Receptors are the tiny proteins attached to your cells that receive chemical signals from different stimuli and help your cells respond. This creates anti-inflammatory and painkilling effects that can be helpful with pain management. This means that CBD oil may benefit people with chronic pain such as; rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia or stomach issues.

Quitting smoking and drug withdrawals

There has been some promising evidence found that CBD use may help people to quit smoking. A pilot study posted to Addictive Behaviors found that smokers who used an inhaler containing the compound CBD smoked fewer cigarettes, but did not have any additional craving for nicotine. Dropping the habit of being a daily or casual smoker can be extremely difficult. Millions of people around the world are addicted to smoking, and up until recently smoking was romanticized in movies and culture. If you are looking to engage in healthier activities and drop tobacco from your life, a CBD vaporizer may be your secret weapon. This should go without saying, but a strong desire and active effort to quit is necessary. Will power is what you need to get through the deep valleys of addiction, but it is all worth it!

Epilepsy and other mental health disorders

CBD is also being studied for its possible role in treating epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders. A review posted to Epilepsia noted that CBD has anti-seizure properties, and a low risk of side effects for people with epilepsy. Studies into CBD's effect on neurological disorders suggest that it may help to treat many of the disorders that are linked to epilepsy, such as neurodegeneration, neuronal injury, and psychiatric diseases. Another study published in Current Pharmaceutical Design found that CBD may have similar effects to certain antipsychotic drugs and that it may be safe and effective in treating patients with schizophrenia, however, more research is needed to understand how this works.

Helps fight cancer

CBD has been studied for its use as an anti-cancer agent. A review posted to the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology states that CBD appears to block cancer cells from spreading around the body and invading an area entirely. The review indicates that this compound tends to suppress the growth of cancer cells and promote the death of these cells. Researchers note that CBD may help in cancer treatments because of its low toxicity levels. They call for it to be studied along with standard treatments, to check for synergistic effects.

Anxiety disorders

Patients with chronic anxiety are often advised to avoid cannabis, as THC can trigger or amplify anxiety and paranoia in some people, however, a review from Neurotherapeutics suggests that CBD may help to reduce the anxiety felt by people with certain anxiety disorders. The research points to studies showing that CBD may reduce anxiety behaviors in disorders such as:

The review mentions that current medications for these disorders can lead to additional symptoms and side effects, and that people may stop taking the drugs because of these unwanted effects. CBD has not shown any serious, adverse effects in these cases to date, and the researchers call for CBD to be studied as a potential treatment method.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by inflammation when the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas. Recent research posted to Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation found that CBD might ease the inflammation in the pancreas in patients with type 1 diabetes. This may be the first step in finding a CBD-based treatment for this disease. Even more, the essential fatty acids from hemp oil can help lower sugar levels in the bloodstream by accelerating the metabolic processes in the human body. The many other nutrients available in hemp oil can also help moderate blood sugar levels. All these characteristics make hemp oil an ideal herbal treatment for diabetes.

Acne

Acne treatment is another promising use for CBD. The condition is caused, in part, by inflammation and overworked sebaceous glands in the body. A recent study posted in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that CBD helps to lower the production of sebum that leads to acne, partly because of its anti-inflammatory effect on the body. CBD could be a future treatment for acne vulgaris, the most common form of acne, and may possibly be used for other skin issues.

Legality

Cannabis is legal for either medicinal or recreational use in some but not all states. Laws may differ between federal and state level, and current marijuana and CBD legislation in the United States can be confusing, even in states where marijuana is legal. There is an ever-changing number of states that do not necessarily consider marijuana to be legal but have laws directly related to CBD oil. This information is up to date as of July 24, 2017, but the laws frequently change.

The laws vary, but they generally approve CBD oil as legal for treating a range of epileptic conditions at various concentrations. A full list of states that have CBD-specific laws is available here. Different states also require different levels of prescription to possess and use CBD oil. In Missouri, for example, a person must show that three other treatment options have been unsuccessful in treating epilepsy. If you are considering CBD oil as a treatment for a suitable condition, talk to your local healthcare provider. They will have an understanding of safe CBD sources and local laws surrounding usage. Research the laws for your own state. In most cases, a prescription will be required.