CBD is one of more than 120 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It’s also one of the most abundant, along with THC. While both of these cannabinoids have the same molecular structure, THC is best known for the high cannabis typically produces. CBD research shows that the other popular cannabinoid doesn’t have the same effect.
However, CBD does offer promising advantages for those who use it. Let’s look at some of these benefits below.
Which Health Benefits Are Backed By CBD Research?
While research on cannabis and its various compounds is ongoing and still in the early stages, the findings regarding CBD are quite promising.
Easing Pain and Inflammation
Many people use cannabis to help ease physical pain. While the plant’s pain-relieving properties are often attributed to THC, CBD also offers a similar effect. Various studies show that ingesting CBD and topical applications may both alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
CBD can aid in treating pain due to many conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Cancer treatments
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathy
Treating Epilepsy
One of the most well-researched uses for CBD is in the treatment of epilepsy. Experts have found that it can successfully treat patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Both are severe childhood epilepsy conditions that don’t generally respond well to conventional seizure medications.
Studies show that CBD can help to reduce the frequency of seizures in individuals with Dravet syndrome.
Reducing Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition in which the immune system destroys nerve endings, which causes nerve damage throughout the body. A symptom of this condition is muscle spasticity. When you have MS, your muscles can stiffen and you might find it hard to contract or relax them.
One study found that Sativex, a medication containing CBD and THC, may help to reduce this side effect, allowing individuals with MS to live a more normal life.
Treating Side Effects of Cancer
People have been using cannabis and CBD products to treat the side effects of cancer treatment for a while. Cannabis can help to reduce pain, alleviate neuropathy, minimize nausea, and boost your appetite.
More recent studies are showing that CBD may also help to treat cancer itself. Some demonstrate CBD’s ability to slow and stop tumor growth or kill cancer cells altogether.
Improving Heart Health
CBD may promote heart health. Research on this topic is still in its infancy, but one small study found that CBD may help to reduce blood pressure.
Lower blood pressure can reduce your risk of developing heart disease or suffering a heart attack. The small study gave nine healthy men a 600 mg dose of CBD oil. Following the first dose, these men had a lower resting blood pressure than the control group that wasn’t taking CBD. The men taking the oil had a smaller increase in blood pressure following a stressful event.
Why Is CBD Research Important?
When you hear of health benefits attributed to CBD use, always check the source and do your own research. Make sure a fact is supported by scientific studies before you believe it or pass the information on to someone else.
These benefits above are just a few of the CBD’s purported benefits. It will be interesting to see what scientists discover next.