Having done with the introduction to the plant and a little bit of the history regarding cannabis, we now wade into the topic of cannabidiol health benefits. Like many items that are deemed ‘new’ to us humankind, there are a myriad of questions surrounding the plant and this particular extract.
Just as a quick recap, we basically can derive two different chemicals from plants (phytochemicals), mainly cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD and THC have the same chemical formula — 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. The difference lies in the way the atoms are arranged. That gives CBD and THC different chemical properties, and they affect your body differently.
Similarities : the both work by binding with the receptors that will in turn release neurotransmitters in the brain. This will affect aspects such as sleep, mood, pain as well as memory. We’ll discuss the differences in more detail in another post. Right now, lets get to the cannabidiol health benefits.
CBD has been touted for various variety of health issues, but the most interesting evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the severe childhood epilepsy syndromes (such as Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) which doesn’t typically respond to antiseizure medicines. In many studies, CBD has been shown to successfully reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases, stop them altogether. The first cannabis derived medicine approved by the FDA for these conditions is Epidiolex.
Cannabis Health Benefits : Animal studies, and self-reports or research in humans, suggest CBD may also help with:
1. Anxiety
There has been extensive studies and clinical trials looking into the claim that CBD can reduce anxiety. Anxiety was thought to be purely psychological in the past, but recent understanding has shown that there are more physiological factors as well that come into play when anxiety is involved.
2. Imsomnia
Some of us may have experienced this themselves : laying in bed tossing and turning the night away, only to fall asleep just as the alarm is about to ring. Studies also suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.
3. Chronic Pain
Further human studies are needed to substantiate claims that CBD helps control pain. One animal study from the European Journal of Pain suggests CBD could help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis when applied to skin. Other research identifies how CBD may inhibit inflammatory and neuropathic pain, which are difficult treat.
4. Addiction
Surprisingly, CBD can help lower cravings for tobacco and heroin under certain conditions (according to some research in humans). Animal models of addiction suggest it may also help lessen cravings for alcohol, cannabis, opiates, and stimulants.
These are some of the cannabidiol health benefits that are most often discussed. If you have any questions or wish to share some personal experience, please do so in the comment box and we’ll pick it up from there. Till the next time, keep on the metta.