10 Surprising (and Proven) Benefits of CBD

1. 10 Surprising (and Proven) Benefits of CBD While it seems like there’s a new “wonder cure” or “superfood” trending every week, there’s one treatment that continues to defy the odds and hold up to stringent lab testing. CBD oil. What Is CBD Anyway? CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol, is just one of many compounds called cannabinoids. While found in a multitude of plants, cannabinoids are most commonly associated with cannabis. In fact, the human body produces some cannabinoids itself, called endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids aid functions such as pain, sleep, and immune system responses. Contrary to popular belief, CBD is not marijuana. It will not give the user a “high” as it lacks the psychoactive component, THC.

2. Cannabidiols work by triggering the body to activate the endocannabinoids already present in the body and putting them to work. Let’s dive into some of the surprising (and research-backed) benefits of CBD oil use. 1.Cancer Fighting Abilities Let’s start with one of what could be the most potentially impactful benefits of CBD oil use. The big C. Cancer affects 12.7 million people across the world, per year. After years of medical testing and pharmaceutical research, it seems big pharma has gotten no closer to a cure. However, efforts may have been sped up considerably if researchers had beganby studying more natural compounds, such as cannabinoids. As research continues, new information is coming out daily about how CBD is working to combat a variety of cancers. A 2011 study showed that CBD induced cell death in estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells while having little to no effect on healthy mammary cells. Numerous studies have shown that CBD has been shown to inhibit migration and adhesion of many different types of cancerous cells, including lung, colon, and cervical cancers. CBD holds anti-tumor properties that are especially beneficial in the treatment and management of different types of leukemia. According to multiples studies, CBD treatments can start a process called apoptosis, a form of cell death sometimes described as cell suicide, specifically in leukemia cells.

3. Possibly the biggest (and strongest) claim CBD makes is its anti- cancer benefits.With research and studies backing it up time and time again, CBD oil is a game changer when it comes to cancer. 2. Inflammation and Pain The opioid epidemic has left our society looking for safer and more natural alternatives for pain management, and that’s where CBD oilreally shines. As of late, CBD has made impressive strides in pain management. CBD as an analgesic works by interrupting transmissions along neural pathways associated with pain. It also does so without building tolerance. On top of its analgesic benefits, CBD is non-habit forming, making it a strong contender for safe pain management options. Inflammation is commonly the culprit behind a host of disorders, ranging from more severe diseases to more chronic conditions. By treating inflammation, CBD has been shown to protect, slow, and even reverse disorders. How’s that for a mega-cure? 3. Mental Health Research has also shown that CBD is able to make sweeping changes in the mental health field. Where pills used to be to the “go-to”, studies are showing that CBD oil use can be beneficial in many conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia. According to an analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey in 2013, one in six adults in America are currently taking one or more psychiatric drugs. Many of these

4. people can now make the switch to a more natural form of treatment, thanks to CBD. A study showed that repeated CBD use only helps not only alleviate the immediate effects of generalized anxiety but offers long-lasting relief as well. Those suffering from social anxiety can find relief from CBD as shown in a 2011 study. This research showed that after being given CBD an hour and a half before a public speaking test, participants presented lower anxiety levels, cognitive impairment, and overall discomfort. Due to its antipsychotic effect, researchers began focusing on how else they were able to utilize CBD for mental illness. Further clinical studies have shown that the chemical profile of CBD is remarkably similar to medications used to treat schizophrenia and can be considered a safe form of treatment. 4. Promotes Brain Health If research studies alone aren’t enough to convince you of its efficacy, try this one on for size. The United States Department of Health and Human Services holds a patent on CBD as both an antioxidant and neuroprotectant. Research proved that CBD treatment in fact not only helps to preserve neuronal structure and function but also aids in the creation of new brain cells, a reaction called the neurogenesis process. Considered to be a neurogenesis stimulant, CBD can help create new neural tissue, even in individuals with neurological disorders. This information is genuinely groundbreaking especially in the treatment of debilitating neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s

5. and Parkinson’s. Studies have shown that CBD oil can slow the progression of these diseases as well as help manage some of the symptoms. 5. Eases Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Its been reported that of individuals with MS, only 1 in 4 has reduced symptoms through traditional pharmaceutical help. That’s where CBD oil steps in. As we’ve mentioned, CBD is quite effective for pain management, which is a common symptom for those with Multiple Sclerosis. What’s even more, cannabinoids have been shown to actually slow the progression of the disease through its anti-inflammatory properties. Many MS symptoms stem from inflammation, making CBD a terrific option for individuals with the disease. A study done on mice presenting with MS-like symptoms showed that administering CBD prevented immune cells from attacking the spinal cord. After receiving treatment, the mice with partially paralyzed limbs regained mobility. 6. Improves Bone Health One of the more surprising claims of CBD oil is that it can significantly improve bone health. In a study performed on rats, CBD oil was shown to enhance specific biomechanical properties, which help speed up the healing process. In layman’s terms, CBD oil can help heal fractured bones faster. The implications these studies can have on conditions like osteoporosis are huge. In the past, osteoporosis was disorder without a cure. CBD research has changed that.

6. Multiple studies have shown that CBD oil not only can help heal bones but can slow the progression of bone loss and even reverse it. 7. Seizure Disorders Some of the most promising and well-researched studies for the benefits of CBD have been done about seizure disorders. Most commonly, parents of children with seizure disorders opt to turn to traditional medications for treatment. The side effects of seizure medications can be incredibly severe such as dizziness, anxiety, confusion, and irritability, just to name a few. Thankfully, research has shown that CBD oil is an excellent alternative to help reduce both the number and severity of seizures, especially in children and young adults. In a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, it was established that cannabidiol is an effective anti-seizure drug. Out of the 120 children and teens that participated in the study, the CBD use group experienced a significant decrease in convulsion occurrences. Most recently, a CBD based oral solution has just been developed which has gotten preliminary approval by the FDA, a groundbreaking first for the field. 8. Diabetes Management CBD is also making waves in how diabetes can be managed. According to a study that was done on mice, CBD treatments lower the occurrence of and complications stemming from diabetes. The mice in the study that were given CBD had an incidence of diabetes 56% lower than the control group. The same study showed

7. that the CBD treated mice had substantially reduced cases of insulitis. 9. Improves Heart Health CBD is becoming a significant player as a cardio-protective agent. Much like CBD has been shown to protect the brain, it does the same for your heart. Studies prove that just a single dose of CBD actually helps lower blood pressure. CBD has also been shown to help reduce the severity of a heart attack. When CBD is administered during reperfusion, a procedure where blood flow is restored to the heart after an infarction, there was a significant reduction of ventricular arrhythmias. 10. Smoking Cessation Aid Quitting smoking is no easy feat. Take it from the millions of people who’ve tried the numerous nicotine patches and gum products on the market today. Research once again has come through with a better way to put down the pack and, you guessed it, CBD is a big player. University College-London conducted a blind study focusing on CBD and reducing cigarette use. For this study, a group of 24 smokers was split into two sub-groups. One sub-group received a placebo inhaler and other received CBD inhaler. Participants were told to use the inhaler when they felt the urge to smoke during the weeklong study. At the conclusion of the study, even the researchers were surprised by the efficacy of the treatment. It was shown that the CBD group

8. had reduced their cigarette use by 40% while the placebo group saw no change. Behavior is mostly predicted by cues and memories, which is a large part of why smoking is such a hard habit to quit. While the internal physiological process is complicated, the explanation is simple. CBD helps in smoking cessation by reformatting the reward and memory center in the brain. By lowering anxiety and interfering in reconsolidation, a memory process linked to the reward section of your brain, CBD helps break the cycle many smokers find themselves stuck in. The Best Is Yet To Come As awareness and research of CBD oil continue to grow, we can expect the list of conditions and disorders able to be helped by CBD to increase in turn. Content Source