CBD is taking the healthy industry by storm, and there’s plenty of reasons why.
What is CBD?
CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two most studied compounds found in cannabis. CBD is the second most prominent plant compound. Where THC causes psychotic ‘highs’, CBD does not. This difference is due to the various structures of atoms within each and how they bind to receptors in our brain. For this reason, scientists have been fascinated by both and have conducted plenty of research into the effects of both on the brain and body.
How does CBD help the body?
The health benefits of CBD are thought to stem from its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system is our own body’s production of molecules called endogenous cannabinoids. The ECS system is responsible for regulating the body’s state of homeostasis, which is crucial for the digestive, immune and neurological systems to operate effectively. Research suggests the primary way CBD can help relieve pain is the different ways CBD cannabinoids interact with our ECS system.
You can buy CBD at certain health stores or online at websites such as Zeal.
1. Arthritis
Research has found that CBD can activate, antagonise, or inhibit our cannabinoid receptors. Specifically, our CB1 and CB2 receptors. The way CBD activates our CB2 receptors causes a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation, such as that caused by arthritis. Therefore, research has praised CBD for its anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
Studies have also shown patients with arthritis are less likely to build up a tolerance to the pain-relieving effects of CBD, as is often seen with pain-relief drugs. There is also a lot of concern for the addictiveness of traditional medicines, which is why more patients are seeking more natural and non-addictive pain relief like CBD.
2. Pain Relief
The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, which work on the CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, have also been shown to relieve symptoms of IBS, such as stomach pain and constipation. Plus, the pain-relieving effects can help with arthritis’s chronic pain and symptoms.
Not only can CBD relieve you of physical pain but emotional pain too. Studies have shown how CBD can positively affect your serotonin levels in the brain, improving your mood and experience of negative emotions. Consequently, this can also help improve the negative feelings we associate with pain and help change our perception of pain.
3. Emotional Wellbeing
CBD can support better emotional wellbeing by relieving symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. Nowadays, mental health is becoming widely spoken about alongside the negative impacts of social media. Poor mental health can affect our relationships, academic performance and overall health and wellbeing. However, it’s very typical to experience poor mental health at times in life. Plenty of research has indicated the beneficial effects of CBD on mental health, but the optimal dosage is yet to be confirmed.
How else can CBD help the body?
Other medical areas CBD has been proven to help is:
- Fibromyalgia
- Brain cell protection
- Skin health
- Blood pressure
- Epilepsy
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
