What Is CBD Oil Good For? The Conditions Responsive to CBD (According to Research)
What is CBD oil good for? Research says it may help manage seizures, anxiety, blood pressure, irritable bowel disease and more. Here’s what science says.
Experts are predicting the CBD market is going to experience huge growth in the next few years. It’s already projected to top $2 billion by 2020.
The health and wellness industry is largely responsible for this popularity. Many people are reporting on the supposed health benefits of products like CBD oils.
That’s left plenty of people asking, what is CBD oil good for? While some say it can treat everything from headaches to HIV, you should look at the research.
This guide will take you on a tour of some of the recent research around CBD. We’ll review what it is, and then look at what science says about the conditions it can treat.
Breaking Down CBD
Before asking what CBD oil can do for you, you’ll want to know what this substance is. Cannabidiol, known as CBD, is a compound found in cannabis. It’s one of the best-researched cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are compounds in cannabis, which are responsible for the effects people experience. These substances bind to receptors in the body, known as cannabinoid receptors.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the best-known cannabinoid. It’s responsible for many of cannabis’s classic effects. It often acts as a sedative.
CBD, by contrast, doesn’t cause the same types of effects. Many people report that this cannabinoid helps them feel energized. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the ability to reduce pain.
Finally, CBD appears to act on other receptors in the body. An example is serotonin receptors. CBD binds to these receptors and encourages serotonin to remain in the body longer.
back to menu ↑The Different Forms of CBD
There are many different forms of CBD. It occurs naturally in cannabis, so it’s active in most dried plant flowers. Different strains have different concentrations of this cannabinoid.
Oils are another popular cannabidiol product. What is CBD oil? It’s usually made from pressed cannabis flowers, although there are other methods of making it.
CBD oil is often stronger since it’s more concentrated. You may only need a small dose of oil to create the same effects as a larger dose of dried cannabis.
Other concentrated forms exist as well. Tinctures, edibles, and topical creams are also available. Oil is one of the more popular products.
back to menu ↑What Is CBD Oil Good For?
Now back to the original question. What can CBD oil actually treat?
CBD oil benefits are wide-ranging. According to many studies, CBD oil is an effective pain-reliever. It exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which can limit pain and swelling.
This effect could make CBD a good choice for treating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease.
Other pain conditions, such as nerve pain, appear to respond to cannabidiol oil. Some studies suggest it could help manage migraines and other types of headaches.
back to menu ↑CBD and Mood
Many studies have focused on this cannabinoid and mental health conditions. Early results suggest CBD could help with mental health conditions such as anxiety.
Current scientific thinking is that CBD helps control mood. It does this by acting on receptors outside the endocannabinoid system.
You only need to look at cannabidiol’s effect on serotonin to see how this helps. Serotonin plays an important role in regulating mood. People with less serotonin in their bodies may experience mood disorders.
Cannabidiol blocks the uptake of serotonin, allowing it to stay in the body longer. This could help correct depressive mood or anxiety.
Many report CBD oil improves mood, whether they have a mental health condition or not. This cannabinoid is often reported to have an energizing effect. Other people find they have better mental focus.
CBD also appears to block the formation of fear memories. This could be useful in reducing symptoms related to anxiety and PTSD.
back to menu ↑Effects on the Brain and Heart
Some studies have also shown this particular cannabinoid may affect the brain.
Studies have demonstrated cannabidiol is effective at reducing muscle spasticity. This can help in conditions like multiple sclerosis. It can even help control pain from spinal injuries.
Epilepsy is another well-studied area. There’s some evidence that CBD can affect brain signaling, which reduces seizures.
There are some studies that have looked at the effects of this cannabinoid on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
CBD oil may also reduce damage done after a stroke. In a study on rats, cannabidiol reduced cell death and damage, among other effects.
In one recent study, cannabidiol appeared to be able to lower blood pressure as well. People using CBD also showed reduced increases in blood pressure during stress tests.
It’s also thought this effect could be responsible for cannabidiol’s ability to calm anxiety.
back to menu ↑Treatments for Other Diseases
There’s even more promising research results on CBD oil and cancer. Some early research shows cannabinoids could have an effect on the growth of tumors. Treatments like CBD oil could be able to slow down or even stop the growth of cancerous cells.
At least one study suggested cannabis treatments could have some effect on the immune damage caused by HIV and AIDS. The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of CBD could help patients manage this condition.
back to menu ↑CBD and You
Let’s review. What is CBD oil good for? Science says it could help with pain, irritable bowel disease, mental health conditions, and blood pressure.
Early research also indicates it could have properties that help protect your brain. It could also help you feel more energized. There are other effects, such as cancer treatment, which haven’t been reviewed here.
If you have any of the conditions mentioned above, you might be interested in CBD products. Even if you don’t have one of these conditions, you might believe cannabidiol could benefit you.
The first thing you should do is talk to your doctor. If you need more information, take a look around our blog. We have many more informative articles to help you determine if a CBD treatment is right for you.
