Uses for CBD & Potential Benefits (According to Research)

Are there any health benefits to using CBD? While more and more studies about the associated uses of CBD products are coming to light, the results of these studies have not been verified or tested by the FDA. However, consumers nationwide swear that CBD can be useful in alleviating symptoms of numerous issues.

Health Benefits Associated with CBD

Below, you’ll find five issues many people in the world suffer from on a daily basis. While only one disorder has a CBD formulated drug that has been approved by the FDA, everyday people swear by the effectiveness of CBD oils, topicals, edibles, and more.

Anxiety

As recently as 2015, researchers have been attempting to determine the function of CBD in relation to reducing anxiety caused by multiple disorders. What they found was that CBD as a treatment showed “strong support” to minimize the feelings of anxiousness in individuals who suffer from general anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD, and other related disorders. There were also some results (though limited) in “acutely enhancing fear extinction,” meaning those suffering from episodes associated with PTSD could find relief.

Epilepsy

Currently, the only drug on the market that has been approved by the FDA is Epidiolex. Approved in mid-2018, this drug is the first prescription pharmaceutical option that contains highly purified cannabidiol. The orally-administered drug is designed to treat seizures in patients two years of age or older who suffer from either Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome.

Pain & Inflammation

Nagging aches and pains can be either debilitating to the individuals suffering, or a daily reminder of past athletic ability that has been hampered by growing older. As many people will normally turn to over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and other pain relievers, CBD has presented itself in some studies to have “great therapeutic potential,” as it has shown the ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

There have also been studies with rats that have shown CBD topicals to be an effective treatment of arthritic pain. With more research, this could have major implications, especially since, within the last ten years, it’s been found that nearly 1 in 5 adults worldwide are diagnosed with some form of arthritis. If CBD proves to be a valuable solution to treating the pain, more people could take steps earlier to administer CBD salves and CBD creams to problem areas to avoid early arthritic pain.

Additionally, as CBD has been described by athletes at higher levels as being a viable anti-inflammatory, anti-doping federations are stepping up to outline that CBD is NOT prohibited in or out of competition. But that does come with a caveat. While CBD itself is derived from the legally-grown hemp plan, CBD products may still contain minimal traces of THC, which is prohibited in sanctioned sports.

The process of labeling CBD products is still being fine-tuned, but the understanding of trace amounts of THC being included in CBD products has gotten better in just the last two years. If you’re an athlete considering CBD, just make sure to read the labels before trying an alternative to treating inflammation.

Insomnia

For those suffering from insomnia, or even sleep issues stemming from related anxiety disorders, using CBD can increase total sleep time and sleep latency, which is how long it takes you to fall asleep.

If CBD proves to be a more effective solution to helping individuals fall asleep, the personal improvements that it could offer are far reaching. For those suffering from insomnia, whether caused by stress, changing sleep patters, or anxiety, getting better sleep can:

• Improve performance at school or work
• Increase reaction times
• Alleviate some* of the effects of mental health disorders
• Reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease

Looking for more info? We took a deeper look at using CBD for improved sleep.

*Note: Read the effects of CBD on anxiety

Migraines

Migraines can be debilitating for anyone who suffers from them chronically. The long-lasting pain can keep you from working, going to school, or performing normal daily functions. Fortunately, as recently as 2017, studies have shown CBD emerging as a possible option for treating migraines and helping those suffering get back to normal life. But no study has shown conclusively that CBD is 100% effective.

While many believe that CBD’s effectiveness in helping to treat certain issues associated with inflammation suggest that migraines could also be affected through the use of CBD oils, gummies, or capsules, more research still needs to be done.

Even though there aren’t FDA regulations set in stone promoting benefits of CBD use, the results from people who use it daily are clear. Over the next few years, full-spectrum CBD hemp oil inside of tinctures, capsules, gummies, and topicals could have the chance to benefit a large swath of people as we learn more, as well as understand the true effectiveness of cannabidiol in improving our general wellness.