Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid derived from cannabis. In recent years, it has been an active field of research in the clinical setting and has enjoyed notable success with the population regarding its beneficial effects on health, especially in the form of CBD oil. Indeed, numerous studies have highlighted more than a dozen positive effects of CBD on the body, including analgesic, anxiolytic and cardioprotective effects.
The history of CBD dates back over 2500 BC. Already at that time, our ancestors knew certain virtues of cannabidiol on the reduction of pain and anxiety. Today, CBD is available in different forms in many countries and scientifically recognized for its various beneficial effects on general health and well-being.
The human body contains a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in regulating various functions including sleep, appetite, pain, and immune system response. The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoids in the nervous system.
Studies have shown that CBD can help reduce chronic pain by affecting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation, and interacting with neurotransmitters. For example, one rat study found that CBD injections reduced the pain response to the surgical incision, while another rat study found that oral CBD treatment reduced pain and inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is the main mental disorder in the world, while anxiety disorders rank sixth. Anxiety and depression are usually treated with pharmaceutical drugs, which can cause a number of side effects, including drowsiness, restlessness, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and headaches.
Additionally, drugs like benzodiazepines can be addictive and lead to addiction. CBD oil has shown promise as a treatment for both depression and anxiety, leading many people with these disorders to take an interest in this natural approach.
In a Brazilian study, 57 men were given oral CBD or a placebo 90 minutes before undergoing a public speaking test. Researchers found that a 300mg dose of CBD was the most effective in significantly reducing anxiety during the test.
CBD oil has even been used to safely treat insomnia and anxiety in children with post-traumatic stress disorder. CBD has also shown antidepressant-like effects in several animal studies. These qualities are linked to CBD's ability to act on brain receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior.
Recent research has linked CBD to several benefits for the heart and circulatory system, including the ability to lower high blood pressure. High blood pressure is linked to higher risks of a number of health problems, including strokes, heart attacks and metabolic syndrome.
Studies indicate that CBD can help with high blood pressure. Recent research treated nine healthy men with a 600mg dose of CBD oil and found it reduced resting blood pressure, compared to a placebo.
The same study also gave men stress tests that normally raise blood pressure. Interestingly, the single dose of CBD led the men to experience a lower than normal rise in blood pressure in response to these tests. Researchers have suggested that the stress and anxiety reducing properties of CBD are responsible for its ability to help lower blood pressure.
Additionally, several animal studies have shown that CBD can help reduce inflammation and cell death associated with heart disease due to its powerful antioxidant and stress-reducing properties. For example, one study found that CBD treatment reduced oxidative stress and prevented heart damage in diabetic mice with heart disease.
