Effects of CBD: How to benefit from CBD oil
The effects of CBD are numerous and often poorly explained or misinterpreted. In this article we explore these potential effects.
Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids. This particular cannabinoid plays a major role in the plant's therapeutic properties.
Indeed, it belongs to a small group of cannabis compounds known as cannabinoids whose effects are initiated by interaction with our body's endocannabinoid receptors to trigger homeostatic processes and, in turn, confer many benefits.
There are a multitude of other cannabinoids but the reason CBD stands out from the rest is that it is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid known and studied for its uses.
In this article we look at the most common effects of CBD, some of which are particularly relevant in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will it help you boost your immunity? We'll find out together.
The benefits of CBD for stress and anxiety
Several studies confirm the potential benefits of using cannabidiol for anxiety.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse's article on "The Biology and Potential Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol" indicates that the cannabinoid could help reduce the stress associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in animals.
Research has also shown that cannabidiol interacts with brain receptors and affects their interaction with serotonin, a chemical that controls our mental health. One study also sought to prove that a 600 mg dose of cannabidiol helps to calm social anxiety induced by public speaking.
CBD also appears to have worked in humans to alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a study of a 10-year-old child who had been exposed to sexual trauma, an oral dose of 12-37mg per day significantly reduced his anxiety attacks and allowed him to sleep better.
CBD can relieve pain and inflammation
Yes, the effects of CBDoil seem to work for pain and inflammation. In a 2012 study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, rats were injected with inflammatory chemicals. The rats showed a reduction in inflammation and nerve pain when given an oral dose of CBD. Another study also showed that cannabidiol reduced the pain caused by a surgical incision in rats.
Sativex, a drug based on cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol, is licensed in the UK and several other countries. Studies of its effectiveness for several types of pain show positive results. For example, the drug has helped treat pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Uses of CBD for muscle recovery
In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency removed cannabidiol from its list of banned substances for professional athletes. Many athletes have come forward to testify about how cannabidiol helps them recover by reducing pain and boosting muscle recovery.
But it's not just for athletes; when we exercise or do heavy work, our muscles stretch more, resulting in micro-tears. The body responds with inflammation to heal naturally. Research shows that persistent inflammation can impede natural healing. This is where the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD come in to save the day.
In response to many requests, Naturalpes has developed a new product: the Wellness CBD Balm Sport, a 100% natural and 100% Swiss Made CBD body balm. This balm can be used before or after a physical exercise, or simply to relax a part of your body in case of stress.
The use of CBD to promote sleep
There are a wide range of factors that can cause insomnia. Fortunately,CBD oil has shown promise in promoting optimal sleep patterns. A large case series proved that participants who used CBD achieved better sleep results within the first month. However, these results were reduced the following month, demonstrating the need for further research to truly understand how CBD affects us.
Have you ever felt drowsy during the day? In 2008, a National Sleep Foundation (NSF) survey showed that 36% of participants fell asleep at the wheel. This is a case of reduced sleep latency. Cannabidiol has been described as improving not only sleep quality but also alertness during periods of wakefulness. Reports of CBD users demonstrating increased concentration are also common.
The effects of CBD on your skin
Did you know that acne is a skin disease that affects up to 9.4% of the world's population? It is the eighth most common skin condition. The main cause of skin acne is excessive sebum secretion, especially in teenagers.
One of the most popular benefits of CBD for the skin is the maintenance of clear and smooth skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties and potential to regulate sebum production. The cannabinoid can also stop the activation of pro-acne agents such as inflammatory cytokines.
The skin stretches during physical exertion and can become inflamed. Applying CBD balm to the affected area can help to restore normality. Inflammation of the skin can also be caused by certain disorders such as psoriasis and dermatitis. A 2019 study showed that the use of cannabidiol offers therapeutic benefits to counter inflammation and skin scarring. Please note that our Wellness CBD Balm Sport is a body balm for sports, recovery and relaxation; it cannot be used on the face. However, we are planning to create a facial serum in 2021.
CBD and neuroprotection
The interaction between the receptors of the endocannabinoid system and CBD could also provide therapeutic value for neurological disorders. A 2014 study found that Sativex helped reduce muscle spasticity in 75% of patients out of 276 participants diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Epilepsy is another neurodegenerative disorder for which cannabidiol has been studied for its benefits. The first CBD-based drug to be approved by the US FDA is used to treat two rare types of epilepsy in children.
In a 2015 study, Cannabidiol helped reduce seizure frequency by a median of 36.5% in patients with severe epilepsy. The research also found that cannabidiol had a higher safety profile for young people in treatment-resistant epilepsy.
The benefits of Cannabidiol in the fight against cancer
CBD has many anti-cancer properties. However, it should not be assumed that the cannabinoid is a miracle treatment for malignant tumours. Let's take a quick look at how CBD can improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
Cannabidiol can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. It can also stop the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and the spread of cancer to unaffected parts of the body (metastasis). Research has also shown that Cannabidiol induces natural programmed cell death (apoptosis), which reduces the number of cancer cells. We will look at these topics in more detail in our next article, as it is an interesting subject that deserves its own article.
CBD for schizophrenia
The benefits of CBD can be used to reverse the psychotic effects of THC. This not only debunks the myth that cannabis leads to schizophrenia, but also proves that the cannabis-derived compound can promote natural recovery from the mental condition.
Research on a woman with schizophrenia who had come off traditional antipsychotic treatments showed that the effects of CBD reduced her symptoms in just four weeks.
Side effects of CBD you should know about
Like any other treatment, cannabidiol may have some side effects. Most of the studies we reviewed in this article also showed common side effects such as diarrhoea, fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, mild dehydration, vomiting and weight changes. However, more research is needed on the side effects of CBD. So if you are using CBD and you notice any of these side effects, we recommend that you seek advice from your doctor regarding your treatment.
Interaction of CBD with other drugs
Cannabidiol can interact with conventional drugs, which can lead to aggravated side effects. How does this happen?
As cannabidiol is a foreign substance in the body, it will be metabolised and excreted by the liver. The same thing happens with other drugs. Both therefore fight for metabolism enzymes and excretion sites, which increases their concentration in the blood.
Be sure to talk to a qualified doctor about your prescription and possible interactions before you start using CBD products. You can also contact our team of CBD experts if you have any questions about CBD and our products.
Can CBD get me high?
The answer is NO if you take CBD extracted from hemp plants and use broad spectrum oil or CBD isolate. Hemp is a variety of cannabis with a low psychoactive THC content of less than 0.3%. However, if you consume cannabis flower or CBD from marijuana, expect an increase in psychoactivity. That said, in Switzerland, for example, the maximum amount of THC in flower must be less than 1% - too low a level to get you high.
Are you afraid of THC? Don't worry, you can use broad spectrum CBD oil like our Wellness THC-FREE oils. This is CBD extracted from hemp or cannabis and processed to remove THC from other cannabinoids. Compared to CBD isolates, broad spectrum oils offer the entourage effect - a synergy between the many non-psychoactive components to enhance the benefits, making them more effective and long lasting.
Effects of CBD on vulnerable groups
What about CBD for more vulnerable groups of people such as pregnant women, young children and the elderly? Well, the lack of research means that there is no reliable data to start drawing conclusions. However, because of their different immune responses, they should not use CBD unless authorised by a specialist doctor.
The future of CBD
The many benefits of CBD oil are expressed through the endocannabinoid system in our bodies. The majority of consumers use CBD products to alleviate pain, anxiety or for better sleep. However, through ongoing research into the benefits of cannabinoids, we have uncovered other potential effects, including muscle recovery, skin, neuroprotection, schizophrenia and cancer.
And that's the challenge facing the CBD industry today: the lack of research, and the lack of funding needed for thorough research. Naturalpes is part of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) and through these associations, progress is being made on the research funding front as well as European legislation and regulations. We will probably never see the billions of Big Pharma dollars that are spent on research and development, but the CBD industry is growing rapidly and this growth will naturally support research. In the meantime, always consult your doctor before taking CBD and don't hesitate to contact our team at Naturalpes if you need any advice on our products. Have a fantastic day!
