The cannabis plant naturally produces more than 400 chemical compounds, at least 60 of which are cannabinoid compounds. Cannabinoids interact with the human body's endocannabinoid system to produce a broad range of physical and psychoactive effects.
CBD is the second-most-prevalent cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant behind THC. Generally speaking, THC produces marijuana's intoxicating effects, while CBD is non-intoxicating and is thought to be responsible for a wide range of the plant's therapeutic and medicinal qualities.
To date, researchers have identified a number of potential health benefits linked to CBD, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-anxiety, and anti-seizure properties. Further, the chemical has shown promise in treating numerous health conditions, including epilepsy and other seizure disorders; mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis; as well as pain relief.
As research remains ongoing, there is a growing body of evidence pointing to CBD's potential efficacy in medical applications and as a health supplement.
CBD for Sleep
To understand whether CBD can improve sleep, we first have to understand what causes poor sleep.
Many things can cause you to sleep badly. According to the Mayo Clinic, insomnia can be caused by:
- mental health disorders,such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression
- medication, which can disturb your sleep-wake cycle
- physical conditions, such as chronic painandrestless leg syndrome
- caffeine, especially when consumed late in the day
- environmental factors, such as loud noises or an uncomfortable bed
If your insomnia is caused by external factors or related conditions, CBD may help by treating the causes of sleeplessness. We've actually written a blog on CBD Oil for Sleep and Insomnia available in our blogs section as well!
While research on CBD is still in its infancy, some research suggests that CBD can treat anxiety.
Other research tells us that CBD affects the sleep cycle.
CBD for Pain
Some people with chronic pain, joint pain or others use topical CBD products, in particular CBD oil, to manage their symptoms. CBD oil may reduce:
- pain
- inflammation
- overall discomfort related to a variety of health conditions
The research on CBD products and pain management has been promising.
CBD can offer an alternative for people who have chronic pain and rely on medications, such as opioids, that can be habit-forming and cause more side effects. However, more research is needed to verify the pain-relieving benefits of CBD oil and other products.
Epidiolex, a drug prescribed for epilepsy, is the only CBD product on the market that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved.
There aren’t any FDA-approved, nonprescription CBD products. They aren’t regulated for purity and dosage like other medications but Hempvada products are tested for all matrixes including toxins, purity and THC levels.
CBD for Anxiety
For generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that CBD has been shown to reduce stress in animals such as rats.Study subjects were observed as having lower behavioral signs of anxiety. Their physiological symptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate, also improved.
More research needs to be done, specifically on humans and GAD.CBD may also benefit people with other forms of anxiety, such as social anxiety disorder (SAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It may help treat anxiety-induced insomnia as well.
In 2011, a study researched CBD’s effects on people with SAD. Participants were given an oral dose of 400 milligrams (mg) of CBD or a placebo. Those who received CBD experienced overall reduced anxiety levels.
Multiple recent studies have shown that CBD can help with PTSD symptoms, such as having nightmares and replaying negative memories. These studies have looked at CBD as both a standalone PTSD treatment as well as a supplement to traditional treatments like medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBD for Depression
If you’re looking into using CBD for therapeutic purposes, it’s important to understand that the research around CBD is limited. There have been a lot of studies in the last decade, but most of them were done using animals.
That means the possible benefits of CBD for depression in humans are mostly speculative right now.
Still, CBD does appear to have some benefits for depression, especially for dealing with:
- anxiety
- cognitive impairment
- discomfort before public speaking
THC and CBD may also be helpful for conditions potentially related to depression, such as
A found that CBD’s effect on these receptors in the brain produced both antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.A more recent
So What is CBD Good For?
We've found over the years that our consumers use CBD for many reasons. whether its CBD for pain, anxiety or other. CBD has been found by multiple studies to help people just like you, allowing them to lead a happier and healthier lifestyle. Shop for CBD here!