Even if you haven’t tried it yourself, you probably know someone who can attest to CBD oil uses for a variety of common conditions. Perhaps you’re wondering if it can help you improve your quality of life, but you want to know more. Then, you’ve come to the right place.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many active compounds in hemp and cannabis plants, called cannabinoids. CBD oil works by interacting with receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s a mechanism that evolved over 600 million years ago to help balance a wide range of bodily functions. Supporting your ECS can help improve your mood, reduce inflammation and pain, and even boost your immune system.
CBD Oil Uses for Mental Health
Mental health issues have been on the rise for many years and have become more frequent since the COVID pandemic. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2020. Additionally, the WHO reported a 25% increase in depression and anxiety worldwide.
Both anecdotal evidence and preliminary research show that CBD has tremendous potential for treating depression and anxiety-related conditions, such as social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and PTSD. Insomnia can also be related to anxiety and stress.
Most of us are familiar with the inherent dangers of pharmaceutical drugs like SSRIs, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medications. CBD oil use may offer a safer alternative.
It helps regulate moods by boosting the natural endocannabinoid anandamide. Often referred to as the “bliss molecule,” anandamide plays a crucial role in the “runner’s high” that athletes get after exercise.
It also serves as a potent antioxidant with neuroprotective qualities. CBD oil may help improve the quality of life for people with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
CBD Oil Uses for Body Aches and Pains
Body aches and pains are an undeniable part of life, whether caused by aging, strenuous exercise, or simply sitting all day in front of a computer.
Inflammation sits at the root of most pain, and CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties have been well-documented. Besides reducing everyday body aches, CBD may reduce persistent pain, muscle spasms, and loss of motor control in people struggling with conditions like MS, ALS, rheumatoid arthritis, and peripheral neuropathy.
CBD also lowers internal inflammation, which can have profound implications for treating digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Strong evidence suggests that these treatment-resistant conditions, as well as fibromyalgia and migraines, may be linked to a severe lack of endocannabinoids. This is a condition called Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Syndrome (CECD).
Furthermore, CBD oil use has been shown to help people with chronic pain reduce their dependence on opioid drugs like Oxycontin and Fentanyl, which are highly addictive and can lead to fatal overdoses. CBD is also being investigated for its potential to aid people with alcohol use disorder, and the cannabinoid may protect the body from some of alcohol’s damaging effects.
Lastly, CBD has shown promise in treating inflammatory skin disorders like acne, psoriasis, and rosacea. People with these types of conditions not only experience physical discomfort, but many avoid social interactions during flare-ups, further reducing their quality of life.
