If you haven’t heard of cannabidiol (CBD) by now, where have you been for the past few years? CBD has taken over the health and wellness market due to its therapeutic effects, versatility, and safety profile.

Though research is ongoing and there is still much to be discovered about CBD, proponents claim that the potential health benefits of CBD are extensive. Plus, it’s natural, rendering it a healthier and safer alternative to many prescription medications.

There are a few ways to reap the benefits of CBD, including tinctures, capsules, gummies, topicals, vape devices, and more. Innovation is key in the CBD market, with new and exciting CBD products introduced to the market regularly.

No matter what kind of CBD product you opt for, the health benefits are the same. Below, we explore what CBD is and how it may benefit your health.

What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over one hundred cannabinoids in Cannabis Sativa L. plant. Unlike its psychotropic cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-intoxicating and doesn’t make users high.

Typically, THC is derived from marijuana, while CBD comes from hemp. Marijuana and hemp are both from the Cannabaceae family, but the former contains much more THC than hemp, while the latter has a high CBD content.

You’ve almost certainly seen CBD described as non-psychoactive and THC as psychoactive. But this is inaccurate because CBD is also psychoactive. Psychoactive chemicals act primarily on the central nervous system and alter brain function, resulting in a short-term change in mood, perception, behavior, or consciousness.

CBD affects the mind, causing changes in mood and perception. Therefore, it is psychoactive, just not in the same way as THC. Many users report experiencing calm and relaxation after using CBD, and a large percentage use it to help relieve pain. The pain-relieving benefits of CBD are largely linked to the cannabinoid’s ability to reduce pain perception.

CBD is psychoactive, just not in the same way as THC. It interacts differently with the body and doesn’t cause intoxication like THC. Moreover, CBD won’t significantly impact cognitive function or cause you to lose control over your behavior.

What Are the Benefits of CBD?

There is much buzz around CBD helping with stress, anxiety, pain, and insomnia. There is also talk about the cannabinoid helping with specific medical conditions, such as the application of CBD for thyroid disease, arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and more.

However, there isn’t enough research to prove that CBD is a valid treatment for any such condition.

The benefits of CBD that most people are interested in are the therapeutic ones.

Pain Management

Animal studies demonstrate CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects and how it works on the endocannabinoid and pain-sensing systems to reduce pain levels.

As reported in one 2020 study, CBD interacts with neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, potentially relieving pain related to inflammation, nerve damage, and arthritis.

In one four-week trial, people with nerve damage in their lower body reported great relief from intense sharp pain after using a topical CBD oil.

Depression and Anxiety

CBD’s calming effect is perhaps its most touted benefit and the reason its use is so widespread. These calming properties make CBD especially useful for stress, anxiety, and mood disorders like depression.

Anyone who struggles with depression or anxiety will know how it can negatively affect daily life and cause emotional and physical stress. This could lead to other underlying conditions like sleep disorders, chronic pain, and high blood pressure.

While it’s too early to comprehend the full scope of the benefits of CBD for anxiety and depression, preliminary studies are promising. One of the most talked about studies assessed anxiety links with public speaking. It found that participants who consumed 300mg of CBD experienced significantly reduced anxiety during a simulated public speaking test.

Improve Sleep

CBD may also have some sleep-promoting properties, rendering it useful for those who struggle to get a good night’s sleep.

It’s not fully understood how or why CBD may help improve sleep, but it’s believed to be largely linked to the cannabinoids’ ability to promote relaxation. By calming the body and mind, CBD can help prepare you for bedtime and support restful sleep. Additionally, CBD can improve sleep by reducing pain levels if pain is preventing you from sleeping well.

Seizures

CBD has been extensively researched for its ability to help patients with seizure disorders. In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex (a plant-based formulation of CBD) as a treatment for several seizure disorders, including two rare forms of epilepsy, Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). The cannabinoid is proven to reduce the frequency of seizures in patients with these conditions.

Other Benefits of CBD

There are an array of other potential benefits linked to CBD. It could reduce blood pressure, help with muscle spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis, and promote healthy and youthful skin, among many other applications.

It’s also been studied for its treatment potential in PTSD and bipolar disorder.

Final Thoughts

CBD is a natural compound proving especially valuable for its ability to help manage stress, pain, and depression and promote sleep. Additionally, it could help manage the symptoms of certain medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorder.

However, CBD is still quite new to the health and wellness market. We are constantly learning more about the cannabinoid and its host of therapeutic effects.