Since the Farm Bill was passed in January 2018, CBD has transformed the lives of many across the US. While it was first hit with controversy, education surrounding the hemp product has completely changed the way it is now viewed and people have started to take notice.
While it is only FDA-approved for treating epilepsy, CBD has shown to benefit others in a whole myriad of ways. Here we’ll go some of the very best reasons to take CBD going into 2020, and how it can change your day-to-day life.
First of all, what is CBD?
CBD is derived from the hemp plant and added to a range of products, including oils, baked goods, and creams. Unlike marijuana, it does not contain much of the psychoactive element THC which is responsible for getting cannabis users high. In fact, any CBD product sold that contains more than 0.3% THC is illegal and should not be on the market.
While it isn’t a miracle cure, the therapeutic effects of CBD build up over the time period it is taken for. According to DailyCBDMag, the effects of vaping CBD can take hold in as little as five minutes but will vary based on environmental factors such as the user’s weight and fitness level.
Here are some of the benefits.
Reduces pain
CBD is loved for its anti-inflammatory properties which help with everything from sore muscles all the way to chronic pain. By reducing the amount of inflammation within the body, CBD helps to relax the user and ease any discomfort.
While CBD is taken for a whole range of pain-related reasons, an area it seems to particularly shine is helping those with arthritis. A study published by the European Journal of Pain back in 2015 found that rats with symptoms of arthritis which were treated with CBD saw a significant drop in pain over four days with no additional side effects.
Some athletes at the very top of their game such as Nate Diaz and Derrick Morgan have also been known to take CBD to help relieve pain and perform better in their sports.
Improves anxiety
Anxiety disorders are currently the most common mental illness in the US, affecting around 40 million adults every year. With this in mind, it’s clear to see why so many people now reach for CBD to feel better – and it seems to work. That’s because CBD affects the body’s endocannabinoid system, the body’s central function for regulating pain, memory, mood, and motor control. There are two types of cannabinoid receptors – CB1 and CB2. These are responsible for producing and releasing cannabinoids around the body. CBD triggers the body to use and produce more of these cannabinoids naturally, helping the body to function and feel better overall.
Betters skin
Those who suffer from acne or general bad skin should definitely consider reaching for CBD oil to help soothe and calm. CBD oil helps to stop the excess production of sebum which makes the skin oily and causes acne, and its anti-inflammatory products discussed above calm the face even during the worst days. CBD is also an antioxidant, so it’s great at keeping the skin hydrated and preventing aged-looking skin. The next time you step into the restroom to conduct a 10-step skincare routine, consider using a little CBD instead.
Treats insomnia
While more research needs to be done on CBD and insomnia, the product is becoming an ever-more popular treatment for it. By promoting refreshing REM, or Rapid Eye Movement sleep, CBD reduces exhaustion throughout the day and helps users to drift off easier at night. A 2017 review published by PubMed on the effects of CBD and sleep-related behaviors found that patients treated with CBD experienced substantial reduction in the frequency of sleep disorders without any side effects. It concluded that CBD is able to control the symptoms of RBD, a parasomnia characterized by the loss of muscle atonia during sleep, associated with nightmares and active behavior during dreaming. Many patients with Parkison’s suffer from RBD, so this could be a huge step in helping thousands to get a better night’s sleep and improve their general health.
Alleviates ADHD
ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is one of the most common mental health disorders among children and can make maintaining focus difficult. It can also make children excessively hyperactive and highly impulsive, which can make it hard for them to sit still in a classroom, keep focus, and behave properly in social situations. Now, many are turning towards CBD for help as it has been shown to improve the body’s response to stress and help the brain to focus. According to CBD Kyro, individuals who take CBD for help with ADHD may find a better sense of energy balance and feel calmer and more able to organize their thoughts. That’s because the CB1 and CB2 receptors discussed earlier are triggered to maintain a level of homeostasis that some with ADHD struggle with. While parents should always discuss giving their child CBD with a doctor first, the research on this particular use of the product is looking positive.
Helps to stop smoking
Cigarette smoking is responsible for a huge 480,000 deaths across America each year. According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health, CBD is considered to have ‘better’ side effects that those from taking recreational drugs or smoking cigarettes, which is why it is considered a way to quit the tobacco. CBD has a similar effect on the body as cigarettes too, as they both help the body to produce dopamine, a hormone that reduces anxiety and leaves smokers with a feeling of fulfillment. Of course, using a CBD vape also replicates the feeling of smoking for many, which helps to cure the bad habit. By weaning off cigarettes, smokers significantly reduce their risk of developing lung cancer, throat cancer, high cholesterol, and other life-threatening conditions. By quitting the cigarettes, most people go on to live longer and healthier lives, and CBD has been shown to help people get there.
Author bio: Marina Turea works as content manager at Digital Authority Partners. In her free time, she loves to blog about health and wellness topics.
