Top 5 Medical Uses of CBD

So we have all heard about CBD and have probably all wondered: What does it do? Why has it become such a popular suggestion for most medical issues? Today we are going to do a deeper dive, and explain what CBD does. Aswell as why it has become such an exciting alternative to traditional medicine. Why so many people swear by it, and what studies have uncovered about this mystical cannabinoid. This is our list of the Top 5 Medical Uses of CBD.

There is a wide assortment of plant matter that contains cannabinoids, but naturally, the first one that comes to mind is linked to cannabis. CBD has a lot of differences from other cannabinoids,  including THC. The most obvious difference between THC and CBD is that CBD carries no psychoactive properties. In other words, CBD, unlike THC, will not get you high. THC is an entirely different compound from CBD. If you are looking to get a high CBD would be the wrong choice. However, CBD  influences the body to use its own endocannabinoids more effectively. The effects are very complex but seem to offer a wide variety of potential benefits. Our list of Top 5 Medical Uses of CBD will offer more insight into these benefits and how they can benefit you!

1. CBD for Pain relief

Humane animal testing has suggested some really exciting findings related to pain relief. In a test for arthritic pain conducted by the European Journal of Pain, they applied a topical CBD cream to rats affected with arthritis for 4 days. It was revealed that the topical application of CBD significantly decreased inflammation and signs of pain with no additional side effects. After learning of these findings I decided to use the same method on my own case of arthritic pain. I personally have suffered from arthritis in my right wrist due to a lifetime of playing contact sports. I have since made the application of CBD topical cream a part of my daily routine. Since doing so I have generally forgotten that I ever had issues with pain in my wrist. As it has almost completely absolved me of any relating pain. The only time I can even feel it is if I try to open a jar that really really does not want to be opened. Before it was a constant, so I am grateful that I gave this method a try.

In other pain-related findings, CBD has been linked to reducing back pain including Sciatica. The research on the topic has shown that CBD can reduce back pain by reducing inflammation, relieving the anxiety associated with chronic back pain, and improving general relaxation and the ability to sleep.

Being that there has been a lot of research pointing to the fact that CBD can help with pain relief, chronic and other. We can simplify the pain benefits by stating that CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation, signs of pain, and anxiety associated with pain.  CBD can also improve general relaxation and the ability to sleep with little to no side effects. After experiencing those benefits first hand, I can confidently say that I would recommend giving this method a try. Especially before trying potentially harmful and addictive alternatives.

2. CBD for Anxiety and Depression

Today Anxiety is considered the most common mental illness, affecting around 1 in 5 people in the U.S. The number of people who are affected with anxiety-related issues is quite staggering. Anxiety and depression can go hand in hand and are usually treated with pharmaceutical options that can cause a long list of potentially harmful side effects. Including but not limited to agitation, drowsiness, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and headaches. Not to mention these all carry potentially addictive properties that can lead to substance abuse. So if you are like me your probably thinking “yikes.” However, CBD could potentially offer you the relief you’re looking for without the side effects we fear.

CBD research studies have been carried out on both humans and animals and have shown that CBD as a treatment for these issues can help lower feelings of isolation, and help reduce the effects of PTSD.  Reasons for this include, CBD’s ability to act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin. It seems further studies suggest that CBD can also calm the brain and support the brain area important for healthy emotion and memory. Another study suggested that CBD carries similar benefits for social anxiety as Valium does without the potentially harmful risk factors. In all studies performed on CBD in relation to mental health, it has been made quite clear that CBD can greatly aid in general relaxation. It can offer a feeling of calmness, and improvement in the side effects of anxiety, depression, and even psychosis.  

3. CBD for Relieving Cancer-Related Symptoms

There has been a lot of evidence revealed through studies on the subject, that CBD (and cannabis) therapies can complement and help with cancer treatment. There are several key side effects of cancer that can be improved through CBD, one being the stimulation of appetite. Ingested cannabis and cannabinoids have shown prevalent links to the rise in appetite among users. Appetite can greatly be affected during cancer treatment while retaining nutrients is very valuable to the patient. Introducing cannabinoids can increase the intake of those nutrients, as well as help limit the extreme weight loss that can be associated with cancer.

CBD, cannabis, and cannabinoids have been linked to also possibly being helpful with nausea related to cancer specifical nausea from chemotherapy. These properties are more primarily present in THC. However, THC carries psychoactive effects, so if that is something you are trying to stay away from I would recommend a very low dose THC product mixed with a higher content of CBD.

Cancer-related pain relief has also been linked to CBD, as previously mentioned CBD can reduce inflammation which is a very prevalent root of pain in cancer treatments and patients.

4. CBD for epilepsy and multiple sclerosis treatment

CBD in relation to the treatment of epilepsy has garnered significant scientific evidence demonstrating its usefulness. Specifically for two types of epilepsy that primarily affect children: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. The FDA has actually approved the use of CBD as a functional medicine for Epilepsy for 2-year-olds and above.  There is a wide array of tear-jerking videos online showing the drastic positive effects that CBD has had on some patients including young children suffering from the condition. In some cases stopping the seizures altogether.

Studies have shown that it is possible that CBD can relieve some of the spasticity related to MS among other symptoms. These symptoms are varied but frequently include pain, muscle spasticity, fatigue, inflammation, and depression. As we have previously discussed CBD can help with; pain, inflammation, and depression. We are now starting to learn that CBD can also help with spasticity relating to the demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Upon research, you can find an array of personal stories around the web of patients of MS describing how introducing CBD has helped their quality of life.  Through many studies of MS patients using CBD as a mode of treatment;  results are leaning toward the fact that CBD, does and can help in the treatment of MS.

5. CBD could benefit heart health

Research has recently suggested that CBD can offer more than a couple of benefits to your circulatory system. A study released in early February of this year suggested that CBD can be linked to lowering blood pressure. Data showed that a single dose of CBD can reduce resting blood pressure and stress-induced blood pressure. Although the study of CBD in heart health is relatively young, the results seem hopeful that it could have a beneficial effect across the board.

All things considered, does our list of Top 5 Medical Uses of CBD give you enough reasons to give this alternative method a try? If so head over to our friends at B well market. For all your CBD needs.