Cannabidiol (CBD) is emerging as a promising substance that can help improve numerous ailments. For many years, prejudices based on a lack of awareness prevented science from investigating CBD therapeutical properties. Unfortunately, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) captured all the attention, and its intoxicating effects and recreational use overshadowed CBD as a useful medicine.
But times are changing. Investigations are being held all over the world in order to provide scientific evidence that supports pharmaceutical developments based on CBD-infused products. And although research is still in an early stage, CBD has already shown encouraging results to treat many health conditions.
In the meantime, a huge market of CBD-based products, such as CBD oil, edibles, and creams, has developed propelled by public demand. The explanation for this phenomenon is a growing public awareness regarding CBD therapeutical benefits.
This article will go through the most common health issues that can be improved with cannabidiol and its medical uses.
Some definitions
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound of the Cannabis Sativa plant, which also has hundreds of others, among which is the well-known tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although CBD and THC are chemically similar, they have very different effects on our bodies.
Both are psychoactive substances since they have an effect on the central nervous system. But while THC produces an intoxicating effect that provides a sense of euphoria, usually named as being “high,”; CBD is not intoxicating at all. Instead, it has a calming effect and many other healing properties without relevant side effects.
CBD is mostly extracted from hemp, a variant of the Cannabis Sativa plant. Hemp has many industrial uses, given that it is a fast-growing plant that can be refined into fiber to produce clothing, paper, bioplastics, and other products.
Hemp plantation is legal in many countries mainly because it has a very low concentration of THC and has a boosting global market that provides significant incomes to domestic economies.
Among the things produced from hemp compounds, there is a large variety of CBD-based products that are widely available on the Web MD
CBD-based products
Currently, there are various products associated with cannabidiol that provides different administration options.
CBD oil is mostly for sublingual use. In order to help absorption, the drop must be held under the tong for 60 seconds before swallowing. Another way of consuming CBD-infused oils is to add them to food or drink.
Since CBD oil has a strong flavor, by incorporating it in edibles or beverages, users may have a tastier experience with the product, although the process must be done following instructions in other to ensure CBD bioavailability in the final product.
The sweet tooth may prefer CBD gummies in the UK or another type of candy that will surely indulge them aside from giving access to cannabidiol therapeutical benefits.
CBD capsules are also available. Pills or soft pills infused with CBD may be an option for users that are used to consuming medicines this way.
Aside from oral administration, CBD topicals can be used locally, avoiding going through the digestive system. These are a good option when treating a certain body area.
There are some differences in the bioavailability of CBD in each product, and the administration way may have an impact on the effects. That’s why choosing which is the best is not only subjected to users’ needs and desires. It should be done with medical supervision.
CBD uses in health treatments
Much ongoing scientific research is working on providing solid evidence of CBD’s full healing potential, and preliminary results are very promising. In the meantime, CBD is being used to improve several health conditions based on the evidence available and with good results.
Somatic and psychosomatic ailments can be treated by CBD. Some of them are very common health issues, while others are health issues associated with congenic disorders or treatment side-effects in which CBD also helps.
Below there’s a list of the ailments for which CBD is recommended as a treatment or palliative and some investigation related to them.
- Anxiety and other related disorders
One of the most common medical uses of CBD is to treat anxiety and other related health issues such as depression and insomnia.
Even though more investigation is required, CBD is currently accepted as an effective treatment with no undesirable side effects.
The scientific report called “Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders” written by Esther M. Blessing, Maria M. Steenkamp, Jorge Manzanares, and Charles R. Marmar, states that there is strong preclinical evidence around CBD as a treatment for anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to the report, acute dosing is essential in order to achieve the desired effects, while more evidence is required regarding chronic CBD dosing.
- Pain relief
CBD is widely used as an anti-inflammatory and, thus, a pain reliever. It can be used topically, avoiding stomach side effects associated with other available drugs, such as NSAIDs.
A study called “Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviors in a rat model of arthritis” and written by D.C. Hammell, L.P. Zhang, F. Ma, S.M. Abshire, S.L. McIlwrath, A.L. Stinchcomb, and K.N. Westlund shows that in a clinical trial with a rat, topic administration of CBD attenuated inflammation and pain associated with arthritis without side effects. The therapeutic properties of CBC have a long-lasting impact making this substance an excellent candidate to develop therapies for arthritis.
- Skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema
CBD topic use is helping many people in dealing with skin health issues such as psoriasis, eczema, pruritis, or acne.
There is currently preclinical evidence that topical application of cannabidiol may be productive for skin disorders due to its anti-inflammatory properties and the human endocannabinoid system modulates our skin.
Also, in a study called “Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes,” it is stated that “due to the combined hypostatic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects, CBD has potential as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris.”
- Anti-seizure
Cannabidiol has been studied for its effects on epilepsy, and there is a prescript cannabidiol-based medication available that is effectively used with medical supervision. CBD causes no serious adverse events and helps seizures improve people’s lives with epilepsy and other disorders.
In conclusion, even though more research is required, the already available results of CBD are encouraging as a new candidate to treat several medical conditions safely. To access the therapeutical benefits without any undesired side effects, it’s important to follow medical indications, Food Standard Agency, and other official regulations and buy high-quality CBD-based products.