CBD, is an abbreviation for cannabidiol, which stems from the cannabis plant- more commonly referred to as marijuana. CBD has in recent years gained traction for being a great alternative healthcare product for people with various physical and mental ailments, but has been used for over 3000 years to help manage various issues historically. It has shown great positive effects on people who may suffer from a physical or mental problem, and whilst it does not outright cure any disease or issue, it helps alleviate the suffering or impact. Here are just a few of the issues that CBD has shown to have a positive outcome on:
Pain Relief
Throughout our lives we have all suffered from some form of pain, whether it is chronic or acute, according to the GSK Global Pain index of 2020. 93% of people globally suffer from pain, with 1 in 5 chronic sufferers being under the age of 30.
CBD is quite commonly known as being used as a pain relief for various issues, with many cancer patients taking CBD in order to relieve the pain they feel from their symptoms. Alongside general pain relief as well, CBD works well as an oil and in a more solid form- such as a cream or balm.
#CBD has been studied for years for its possible use in relieving pain and has been proven by researchers that it is an effective method of relieving pain.
Fibromyalgia:
Fibromyalgia has also been tested for how effective CBD can be in helping patients relieve their symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a condition which causes pain all over the body, sleep problems, fatigue & often widespread mental and emotional distress. With a study conducted in 2020 concluding that within their participant group, CBD had an overall positive impact for those suffering with Fibromyalgia. Whilst there is no definitive reason for CBD helping with pain relief, it is believed that CBD attaches to specialised receptors within our body that help manage pain and inflammation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):
IBS is a common condition that affects the digestive system, causing stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea & constipation. It usually affects those who suffer from it for the entirety of their lives, with roughly 10-15% of the western world suffering from it. In a clinical study using CBD, it was shown that it helps those with IBS in dealing with their symptoms. This is in part due to our endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps regulate our digestive system. CBD helps keep our receptors which regulate the systems within the ECS working for longer and more effectively.
Inflammation:
Inflammation happens in every body; it is the process in which our body helps heal ourselves. However, if the inflammatory cells stay too long then it can start becoming a problem- leading to chronic inflammation. The studies have shown that CBD has helped reduce inflammation within bodies, again due to the ECS & its receptors which help regulate inflammation cells. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD help battle other medical issues such as, arthritis, nerve and muscle pain & joint pain.
Cancer:
Cancer has affected almost every single person on the planet, either personally or through someone they know. It has thousands of dedicated researchers looking into the disease and this is no different for how CBD affects the disease. CBD has been studied for years in relation to its possible positive impact on cancer and is continued to be used to help patients gain a relief from the pain they suffer. There has also been studies to see how CBD can help stop the growth of cancer cells within the body & also aid in eliminating cancer cells. CBD has also been shown to help the effectiveness of other drugs that are used to treat cancer, doubling its usefulness as a product for treatment. There are numerous studies currently going on with CBD & cancer, for example in 2019 a study found that CBD was able to kill cancer cells within the body, without harming healthy cells. If CBD continues to show promise as a way of treating cancer patients or even just as an alleviator of their symptoms, it will be one of the most useful products for society.
Alzheimer’s & Dementia:
Alzheimer’s is a debilitating disease that affects one’s mind, affecting 5.6 million people in the US , with more people suffering worldwide. There has been little success to help improve the mental state of people. CBD has shown some preliminary success in helping those with Alzheimer’s help cope with their symptoms. A 2019 study showed that CBD could help prevent some memory loss and behavioural disorders stemming from Alzheimer’s. However, this is still ongoing research and very small and limited in the clinical trials that are being conducted. As the industry grows & we see more legalisation around CBD, these trials will grow in size and will hopefully continue to see positive outcomes.
Epilepsy:
Epilepsy is a disorder which affects our central nervous system, causing the brain to create abnormal behaviour. Some of the symptoms include seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations & loss of awareness. Some people have reported that using CBD has reduced the frequency of their seizures. This is believed to be due to CBDs anti-inflammatory & anti-oxidant properties, which allow greater protection to the brain. CBD has especially been helpful to those who suffer from epilepsy and are resistant to traditional anti-epileptic drugs.
Mental Health:
CBD has long been associated with various mental health ailments and has been used as a form of alleviation from symptoms. An example is the benefit CBD provides to those suffering from anxiety & depression. In numerous studies those who received a certain dosage of CBD for their anxiety reported that they experience an overall reduction in their anxiety levels. Whilst again, this is till early stages in regards to clinical trials, from what people have reported and the conclusion from these trials, CBD certainly has some form of positive impact in reducing anxiety levels overall. In regards to depression, there were similar positive impacts to those who suffered with depression seeing their general mood and mental health improve when taking CBD. This may be due to CBD causing a calming effect on the brain, allowing for people to decrease their stress levels and not spiral into a circle of bad mental health. Again, it is still early days in regards to the full scientific evidence backing up these preliminary positive outcomes, it must also be noted that CBD is not a curative, but instead helps alleviate symptoms that one might be suffering from mentally.
There is a host of other issues that CBD has helped address, such as nerve & muscle pain, reduction in severity of PTSD, Lupus, aiding in heart health, skin conditions & More. CBD, whilst still in early stages clinically and scientifically, has been proven to have an overall positive impact on those suffering from physical and mental conditions, with very little & severe side effects being noted. If these early great signs continue to show through clinical trials, many of today’s modern medical issues could have a reduced impact on the user’s health, if CBD is taken. You should always consult with a doctor in regards to taking CBD, especially if you currently take some form of medication already.
