Top 10 Benefits of CBD

CBD has become widely used in products like gummies, lotions, and vape oils. It is reported to help with anxiety, insomnia, pain, and PTSD.

CBD is not psychoactive, unlike THC, which can cause a high. It is considered safe to use. However, it can interact with certain medicines, especially blood thinners and acetaminophen (Tylenol). It may also interfere with certain lab tests.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

CBD is a potent inhibitor of the COX2 enzyme, which reduces inflammation in the body. It has also been shown to help with anxiety. In one study, people who took CBD before a public speaking exercise felt less stress than those who took a placebo.

CBD also acts as an agonist of the A2A adenosine receptors, which inhibit cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory related cytokines. Adenosine release is a mechanism of immunosuppression during inflammation, and adenosine receptor agonists decrease TNF-a levels.

It also binds to the PPARg receptor, which modulates gene expression and increases the production of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. CBD inhibits inflammatory responses by reducing the activity of the transcription factor NFkB, and by suppressing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. It can also inhibit T-cell based activation by inducing apoptosis and by increasing the number of Treg Foxp3+ cells that suppress inflammatory reactions.

2. Pain Relief

CBD interacts with a number of receptors and chemicals in our body’s endocannabinoid system to help with pain relief. Studies support that it can be effective in relieving both acute and chronic pain. CBD is also non-addictive, meaning people don’t develop a tolerance to it as they would with some other opioid medications.

CBD inhibits a few enzymes involved in serotonin metabolism such as acetylcholinesterase and tryptophan decarboxylase with high potency (IC50 = 9200-19,100 nM). This may explain its anti-depressant effect.

However, CBD is able to interact with some medicines such as blood thinners and anti-epileptic drugs and can cause liver function tests to show abnormal results. So, it’s important to talk to your doctor before using CBD if you are taking these types of medications. It’s also best to use a high-quality, third-party-tested product to ensure that you are getting the correct dose.

3. Anxiety Relief

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues, and CBD has been shown to help relieve it. Studies show that CBD reduces anxiety in both animals and humans. It has anxiolytic effects in animal models of generalized anxiety, such as the elevated plus maze and Vogel conflict test. In addition, CBD increases conditioned fear extinction and decreases conditioned stress expression.

CBD is also a safer alternative to existing pharmaceutical treatments for anxiety, such as benzodiazepines. It has less potential for street level abuse and does not have the same negative side-effects.

CBD may also help treat specific phobias, such as the fear of public speaking, by interacting with the brain’s serotonin receptors. It may also alleviate the symptoms of OCD, by reducing compulsive behaviors. CBD is available in various forms, such as oils and tinctures, capsules, topicals, and vapes.

4. Sleep Improvement

CBD has been found to improve sleep for those with insomnia or other types of sleep disorders. It is thought to help by calming the nervous system and increasing total sleep time. It may also reduce the amount of time spent in REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep, which is associated with anxiety and depression.

A study at Wholeness Center a large psychiatric clinic in Fort Collins, Colorado showed that the majority of their patients who used CBD had improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety levels. However, the study was small and relied on self-reporting which is prone to bias.

Other studies have shown that CBD increases sleep duration and sleep efficiency and decreases the amount of time spent in REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep, but does not change the overall architecture of sleep, which is what some prescription sleep aids do.

5. Decreased Seizures

CBD has been shown to decrease seizures in people with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). In a clinical trial, CBD significantly reduced seizures for 86% of the people with LGS who took part in it.

The CBD was given as an oral oil-like solution and taken twice a day, with food to help it be absorbed. During the trial, participants were not allowed to change their current antiseizure medications.

Add-on CBD was associated with seizure reduction through 144 weeks with an acceptable safety profile in patients with TSC. Its effect was consistent across all focal seizure subtypes and was independent of ASM use. SF and EEG results showed significant improvements. Families reported fewer side effects, and liver enzymes were stable. Efficacy was maintained at M14. A second patient started CBD as an add-on to VPA and LTG at age of 7.5 years and was titrated to 10 mg/kg/d in one month. Her parents reported disappearance of drop attacks and a decrease in frequency and duration of myoclonic seizures.

6. Increased Energy

Many people ask if CBD will make them tired, especially since it is in so many products that are advertised as having energy boosting effects. The answer is that CBD can have sedative properties when taken at higher doses, but at lower dosages it often promotes wakefulness and alertness.

This is due to the way CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system. It inhibits the reuptake of adenosine, which is known to cause sleepiness, and instead allows it to accumulate in the brain, resulting in more wakefulness.

Additionally, studies have shown that CBD can boost the metabolism by causing brown adipose tissue to burn more calories. In addition, THCV has stimulant properties and may be helpful in improving focus and alertness. This is why it’s included in some high-quality CBD products. It’s also been known to reduce stress levels, which can cause feelings of fatigue.

7. Reduced Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a common condition that can cause serious health issues like heart disease, stroke and kidney problems. It’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly and follow a healthy diet and exercise regime to help prevent it.

CBD may reduce high blood pressure by affecting how your endocannabinoid system works. This can increase relaxation and improve concentration, which can help to lower blood pressure.

It’s also worth noting that CBD can interact with some medications. This can especially affect blood pressure medication. For example, Amlodipine is a commonly prescribed hypertension medication that is metabolized by the liver enzyme cytochrome P4503A4. CBD can interfere with this process and cancel out the effects of the drug. This is why it’s important to consult a medical professional before taking any CBD products. They can advise you on the best way to take CBD for blood pressure, including sprays and tinctures.

8. Decreased Inflammation

CBD can be used to treat inflammation, including chronic pain. Research suggests it may reduce the formation of pro-inflammatory messenger substances in cells, while enhancing the formation of inflammation-resolving substances.

This is a big deal for people suffering from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), where the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues and joints. One study found that a CBD-based cream reduced RA symptoms and decreased cytokine production in animal studies.

However, the results were not replicated in human studies. More research is needed, and it’s important to use high quality CBD products, third-party tested for purity, and talk to a healthcare professional about your specific needs and risks. This includes confirming that CBD is safe to take with your current medications, especially if you are taking clobazam or other drugs that affect the liver. This is because CBD may interact with certain drugs.

9. Decreased Mental Health Issues

CBD may help people with some mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. But there are few scientific studies of this. Most of these studies compare the effects of CBD with those of a fake medicine (a placebo).

One study found that people who took CBD reported lower levels of anxiety than did those who didn’t take it. This might be because CBD is a partial 5-HT1a receptor agonist, which supports anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects.

Studies have also shown that CBD might improve sleep in people with some sleep disorders. But more research is needed. It is important to talk to your doctor before trying CBD for any mental health condition. Some research suggests that it could interact with some medications, including antidepressants and sedatives. Also, lab tests on animals have found that CBD can cause changes in male reproductive organs.

10. Decreased Addictions

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which influences mood, stress, and pleasure. It has the potential to decrease drug cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. This makes it an important component of addiction recovery. It may also mitigate anxiety and stress, which are common in people with substance or alcohol use disorder.

One study showed that CBD reduced heroin cravings compared to placebo. It may also help reduce cravings for alcohol and tobacco. While more research is needed, these results are promising.

You should not take CBD if you are taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, anti-epileptic drugs, or immunosuppressants. It may interfere with how these medications are broken down by the liver. Additionally, it can cause abnormalities on your blood chemistry tests. You should talk to your doctor before using CBD for this reason. They can recommend the right dosage for you.