Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabis-derived compound marketed for its immense therapeutic benefits. CBD has demonstrated potential for treating diseases that mainly produce pain, inflammation, irritability, muscle spasticity, nausea, and insomnia.
CBD is often contrasted with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another popular cannabis extract. While both compounds come from cannabis, they differ fundamentally in how they interact with the body.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main chemical in marijuana known to induce euphoria. Unlike CBD, which is widely present in medical marijuana supplements, THC is more prevalent in recreational cannabis products.
Outlined below are the various ways CBD may benefit you in 2021.
CBD May Treat Nausea
Nausea is usually a symptom of an underlying medical condition, particularly a gastrointestinal illness. Nausea could also be a side effect of certain medications or foods.
Cannabidiol contains antiemetic properties, which makes it effective at mitigating nausea. Oncologists widely use CBD-based products to manage the side effects of chemotherapy drugs.
To benefit from CBD’s antiemetic properties, insist on products containing significant THC levels. Such products usually bear the label “full-spectrum.” The cannabidiol in full-spectrum products treats nausea, whereas the tetrahydrocannabinol in such products induces appetite. That way, you can administer your medications as well as consume food without feeling nauseated.
If you opt for full-spectrum products, you might want to invest in CBDistillery vaporizers. Disposable vape pens by sky blue vapor are preferred due to their affordability and convenience. Plus, delta-10 disposables pack the antiemetic properties of THC and CBD.
CBD May Mitigate Seizures
Overactive receptors mainly trigger seizures in the brain. These receptors either transmit more signals to the brain or fire signals more repeatedly than they should, resulting in involuntary muscle spasticity.
Cannabidiol has emerged as one of the most effective antispasmodic medications. CBD is an effective treatment for seizures that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has since approved a cannabidiol-based drug known as Epidiolex.
Epidiolex is generally prescribed for treating two rare but severe seizures in children, namely Dravet Syndrome and Lennox Gastaut Syndrome.
CBD May Relieve Pain
Cannabidiol is a potent analgesic. The compound may relieve pain by affecting how your body receives and transmits pain signals.
CBD exerts its analgesic effects via the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a sophisticated cell-regulatory system noted for its role in various physiological processes. Its core functions include maintaining the circadian rhythms, regulating homeostatic balance, and transmitting pain signals.
The endocannabinoid system relies on a series of neurotransmitters known as endogenous cannabinoids or simply endocannabinoids and receptors called endocannabinoid receptors. Anandamide, dopamine, and serotonin are examples of neurotransmitters. Common endocannabinoid receptors include the vanilloid receptor.
Now, CBD relieves pain by inducing the secretion or signaling of anandamide. More anandamide levels in the body translate to less severe sensations of pain.
CBD may also treat pain by binding to the vanilloid receptor. The vanilloid receptor is a common endocannabinoid receptor that plays a significant role in pain mediation.
CBD May Alleviate Inflammation
Inflammation normally occurs side by side with pain. It also happens to be another medical concern that you can manage effectively using cannabidiol.
CBD alleviates inflammation by blocking the activation of cytokines, the body’s core inflammatory messengers.
Cannabidiol also produces vasodilatory effects. The compound dilates narrowed blood vessels, thereby enhancing the transportation of oxygenated blood and beneficial nutrients to inflamed tissues while helping to get rid of inflammation by-products like lactic acid.
Cannabidiol’s vasodilatory properties are the reason medical marijuana doctors also recommend CBD supplements for treating erectile dysfunction.
CBD May Combat Stress and Anxiety
Stress is a common part of our everyday experiences. But if untreated, stress may trigger anxiety disorders.
Common anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder (PD). Cannabidiol has widely been studied for its potential anxiolytic properties and findings suggest that the compound may be effective against all anxiety disorders.
CBD combats stress and anxiety by inhibiting the stress hormone cortisol. The compound may also increase the body’s sensitivity to ‘feel-good’ transmitters like serotonin.
Low serotonin levels are generally observed among people with anxiety and depression. So, it makes sense why increasing serotonin signaling produces antianxiety benefits.
CBD May Aid Sleep
There are several sleep disorders that you can manage using cannabidiol-based products. But the most common ones are insomnia (sleeplessness) and sleep apnea.
CBD is a renowned sedative. The compound combats sleep disorders by shortening sleep onset time. Consuming CBD before bedtime is an effective natural way to drift off to sleep much faster.
Studies have also established that CBD may reduce the time taken at rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is the stage during sleep that’s marked by elevated brain activity and involuntary, repetitive eye movements. It’s during REM sleep that much of the dreaming occurs.
Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with dreaming. However, people who experience nightmares, such as PTSD victims, may have their sleep frequently interrupted by their traumatic dreams. So, shortening REM is an excellent way to address the problem of nightmares and, by extension, sleep deprivation.
Final Word
If you’re new to CBD, remember to begin with low doses to avoid suffering any adverse effects.
