Cannabidiol (CBD) has been getting a lot of buzz lately for its health benefits. From the cannabis plant, CBD is non-psychoactive meaning it doesn’t get you high like its counterpart tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While CBD is known for pain relief and anxiety reduction, there are many other benefits that might surprise you. This article will go over some of those surprise benefits of CBD.
CBD 101What is CBD?
CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. It’s often extracted from hemp, a variety of cannabis with low THC levels and is available in many forms including oils, capsules, edibles and topicals.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex system that regulates many physiological processes such as mood, appetite, pain and immune response.
The ECS is made up of endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by the body), receptors (CB1 and CB2) and enzymes that break down these cannabinoids. CBD is thought to affect the ECS by modulating receptor activity, particularly CB2 receptors which are found primarily in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells.
Surprise Benefits of CBD1. Heart Health
CBD has been shown to promote heart health by lowering blood pressure and preventing heart damage.
A study in JCI Insight found that a single dose of CBD lowered resting blood pressure and the blood pressure response to stress in healthy individuals. They attributed this to CBD’s anxiety reducing and relaxing effects.
- Skin Health
CBD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
A study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that CBD can reduce sebum production, the oily substance that causes acne. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can also reduce redness and swelling of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
- Neuroprotection
CBD has neuroprotective properties so it could be a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
A review in Molecules found that CBD has shown promise in preclinical studies for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. The neuroprotective effects are thought to be due to CBD’s antioxidant properties and its ability to modulate inflammatory responses in the brain.
- Addiction
CBD may help those struggling with addiction by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that CBD reduced cue induced cravings and anxiety in individuals with heroin use disorder. They concluded that CBD could be a treatment for opioid addiction, managing withdrawal symptoms and reducing the risk of relapse.
- Better Sleep
CBD’s calming effects can help improve sleep quality and duration.
A study in The Permanente Journal found that CBD improved sleep scores in 66.7% of patients with anxiety and sleep disorders within the first month of use. Participants slept longer and more restfully with no significant side effects.
- Bone Health
CBD may support bone health and fracture healing.
A study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that CBD enhanced fracture healing in rats by promoting collagen maturation, which is essential for bone strength and regeneration. This could be beneficial for those with osteoporosis or bone injuries.
- Anti-Seizure
CBD has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in epilepsy patients especially those with treatment resistant forms.
Epidiolex, a CBD based medication, has been approved by the FDA for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, two forms of epilepsy. Clinical trials showed CBD reduced seizure frequency in these patients.
- Gut Health
CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may help gut health by reducing symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders.
A study in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases found that CBD reduced inflammation and improved symptoms in a mouse model of colitis. This could be a treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
- Anti-Cancer
More research is needed but some studies suggest CBD may have anti-cancer properties.
A review in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that CBD had anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in various cancer cell lines. This means CBD may inhibit cancer cell growth and induce cell death. But note that this is preliminary and more research is needed to understand CBD’s role in cancer treatment.
- Mood
CBD’s interaction with serotonin receptors can help regulate mood and depression symptoms.
A study in Neurotherapeutics found that CBD had antidepressant like effects in animal models. They concluded that CBD’s interaction with serotonin receptors is the reason for its mood regulating properties, it could be a treatment for depression and mood disorders.
Drug Interactions
CBD can interact with other medications, how they are metabolized. Consult with a healthcare provider before starting CBD especially if you are on other medications.
Summary
CBD has many benefits beyond the well known pain and anxiety. From heart health to skin health to neuroprotection to addiction management, CBD has shown promise in many areas of health and wellness. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms and long term effects but existing studies and anecdotal evidence suggests CBD could be a addition to your health routine. As with any supplement, choose high quality products and consult with a healthcare provider to use safely and effectively.