Health Benefits of CBD

You’ve likely heard, and maybe taken part in, the growing discussion regarding the health benefits of CBD. Perhaps you’ve even gotten CBD and its fellow cannabinoid, THC, confused, which is understandable with all the buzz surrounding both. Though marijuana and hemp are technically the same plant species, THC has psychoactive properties that CBD does not, meaning no change in cognition will occur after taking CBD. In short, it will not get you “high.”

However, recent studies have shown that CBD may help with a number of common mental and physical ailments. The fact that it does not share many of the same side effects as THC, such as weakened cognition, can be a plus for those looking to explore a more natural approach to healthcare. Here are 5 areas where CBD may be beneficial for you.

1. Diabetes and Obesity

Weight gain and obesity can occur when your body produces too much insulin, a peptide hormone that helps the cells of your body absorb sugar in the bloodstream. Promising research has suggested that CBD not only has the ability to regulate insulin production, but it also encourages weight loss by helping the body convert white fat into brown fat, which contains higher levels of mitochondria used to produce heat for the body.

2. Chronic Pain

Pain is easily the most common reason people use CBD. Chronic pain can be a debilitating and mentally straining ailment, and it affects millions of people worldwide. More than 70 million people experience it in the US alone. To suffer from pain chronically means you experience some level of discomfort in your day more than 100 days out of the year.

Studies have indicated that CBD may help in reducing chronic pain. Nociceptive pains, which are characterized as often being time-limited, and neuropathic pains, which are normally continual, have both shown to be positively affected by cannabis. While this news can come as a relief if you’re suffering from either conditions, finding the right dosage is important to ensure you’re getting the most out of your CBD experience.

Neuropathic pain such as multiple sclerosis can also benefit greatly from CBD when applied either topically or ingested. The same can be said for arthritis. Taking CBD gummies can be a tasty way of seeking relief from either of these ailments.

3. Inflammation

Inflammation is an integral part of the way your body successfully responds to physical trauma, but ongoing or chronic inflammation can be difficult to manage both physically and mentally. Problems occur in the inflammatory process when it is experienced without cause or continues long after it should, often resulting in pain for those suffering from it. A number of diseases trigger inflammation, which CBD may help to alleviate partly due to the way it engages with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a biological network responsible for regulating flare-ups.

4. Acne

If you happen to experience acne, CBD just might help here, too. Sebum, helpful in protecting your skin from dehydration and external damage, is an oily substance produced by your body’s sebaceous glands. When your body produces too much of this, breakouts can occur. CBD can help reduce your sebum production.

5. Anxiety

If you suffer from anxiety, you know how excessive worrying and negative thinking can affect mental well-being. This condition is extremely common throughout the world, with a number of animal and human studies alike having researched the effects of CBD on tension relief. It has been shown to decrease anxiety due to the cannabinoid’s ability to regulate your serotonin levels, a chemical in your body that helps manage, among other things, mood and social behavior.

While the many benefits of CBD are promising both in human and animal research, future studies will be necessary to fully understand its overall potential. For now, taking the time to notice how CBD affects you personally is the best way to ensure you’re getting the most out of it, regardless of the current data or buzz.