Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, has taken the health, food, and cosmetic industries by storm. CBD has been used for hundreds of years for its therapeutic and medicinal properties. However, it’s only in the last century with scientific research that we’ve been able to affirm the health benefits associated with CBD.
There are plenty of ways CBD can benefit your everyday life, and this article looks at some of the main areas CBD can help.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the most prevalent chemical compounds (known as cannabinoids) found in the cannabis plant. THC is another one. THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid that is responsible for the ‘highs’ associated with cannabis use. However, it’s important to note that CBD does not cause this effect in users. Typically, CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant then diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut or hemp seed oil. CBD is an appealing option for many individuals looking for natural non-medicative benefits to their health.
What are the best CBD products on the market?
Due to CBD being a chemical compound, it’s very versatile and can be infused into many different products. From CBD infused foods, cooking oils, and teas to CBD make-up, body care and supplements.
You can shop for CBD products online. Some of the most popular uptakes of CBD for health include oral drops, gummies, soft gels, vapes and topical balms.
What are the benefits of CBD?
CBD offers several health-promoting properties. Research has shown that CBD helps our everyday health through its interaction with our endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a nerve signalling system that maintains physiological, emotional, and cognitive stability throughout our body.
The way CBD cannabinoids interact with our own promotes healthy regulation of our ECS, leading to several physiological changes that benefit our health. One example is the potent anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body. This effect has been shown to improve chronic pain symptoms such as arthritis and muscle soreness. For localised pain, a topical application of CBD is most beneficial (e.g., cream) and works directly on the painful area rather than entering our entire system.
Our emotional wellbeing has an intrinsic connection with our physical wellbeing, and both are equally important. When we struggle with our emotional wellbeing, there can be challenging ripple effects into other areas of our life, such as relationships, work, studies, and overall health. Research has suggested that CBD can positively affect our serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is known as our natural anti-depressant. Therefore, CBD has been linked with reduced levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Furthermore, research has also shown that CBD can regulate cortisol levels (the body’s stress hormone). Paired with the benefits to our emotional wellbeing, there’s no surprise that users of CBD also report better sleep cycles as a result.
The same way CBD can have remarkable benefits inside the body, it’s also incredible for improving our skin. According to research, CBD helps regulate the skin’s sebum production. Sebum is the skin’s natural fats and oils. However, too much can lead to overly oily skin, clogged pores, and severe acne. Consequently, there’s a lot of beauty and skincare products that have been infused with CBD to promote healthy skin.
CBD has been studied for its role in treating several health benefits other than those mentioned above. Other examples include:
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetes
- Blood Pressure
- Neurodegenerative diseases
In conclusion, there are plenty of ways CBD can benefit your everyday life, with many kinds of products on offer for you to try. Some may be more suited to you than others. If you’re considering the use of CBD for specific conditions, then it’s always best to speak with your GP.