CBD oil is known across the world for its anti-anxiety effects. But did you know that CBD oil has a dozen of other health benefits? If you’re prone to anxiety, have low immunity or chronic pain, CBD oil can do a lot of good for you.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil or Cannabidiol oil is a product extracted from the cannabis plant. Cannabis has cannabinoids which are natural chemicals that have many healing properties. When consumed, CBD oil interacts with neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid system that send signals between your cells to regulate functions like mood, sleep, appetite, memory and reproduction.
CBD oil and your health
CBD is extracted from the plant cannabis sativa and turned into supplements, tinctures and oils. Over the years, it was discovered that CBD oil positively affects our nervous system by boosting our serotonin levels and making us more calm.
In general, CBD oil can be used for the following ailments:
Anxiety, depression
According to research, CBD oil improves your mood and calms you down if you suffer from anxiety. In a 2017 study published in the ‘Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, 57 subjects were given 150 mg, 300mg and 600 mg of CBD oil before keeping a speech. A group of people only received placebo pills. At the end of the study, those who got 300 mg of CBD saw a significant reduction in their anxiety, compared with the placebo group.
CBD oil has indeed calming effects, however, you need to take it for a few weeks/months to experience the benefits.
Chronic pain
A 2020 study analyzed the effects of CBD oil on patients with symptomatic peripheral neuropathy (brain and spinal cord nerve damage). The subjects suffering from back pain had CBD oil applied topically. At the end of the study, the subjects saw a significant reduction in local, sharp pain caused by symptomatic peripheral neuropathy. The study concluded that CBD oil was able to treat only local pain.
Diabetes
Apart from anxiety and chronic pain, CBD oil also helps manage diabetes. CBD controlled blood sugar levels in 13 subjects suffering from diabetes, type II in a recent study. After ingesting CBD oil, the participants of the study had lower levels of resistin in the body (resistin causes resistance to insulin, a protein that regulates blood sugar)and an increased level of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide. (this is a hormone that produces a sufficient release of insulin from digested food).
The conclusion was that CBD oil could regulate blood sugar levels and could also be used as a treatment for diabetes II to prevent complications.
Dementia
CBD oil had also a positive effect on dementia sufferers. A 2022 study published in ‘Frontiers in Medicine’ journal saw a group of 60 subjects aged 70-79 completing 16 weeks of CBD oil treatment. The subjects took 527.5 mg of CBD daily.
At the end of the study, those who took the CBD oil had fewer symptoms associated with dementia like mood swings, tremors and agitation in comparison with those who only took placebo pills. Their overall mood improved which shows that CBD oil has indeed positive effects on neuro cells. CBD is considered to be anti-inflammatory by protecting the neurons from damage and increasing your immunity.
Immunity
Speaking of immunity. CBD oil regulates the immune response which can help our body fight diseases more efficiently.
A 2020 study by James Nichols and B. Kaplan published in ‘Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research’ magazine showed that CBD oil reduces the activity of T-cells, B cells, T-helper, and T cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets. CBD oil also supports the activity of natural killer cells (NK), which are blood cells that fights infection.
This means you could benefit from taking CBD oil during the flu season.
Conclusion
If you want to strengthen your immune system, have a calm (and happy) mind, have less pain and lower blood sugar levels, you might want to give CBD oil a try.
Because research shows no side effects of ingesting CBD oil, you’ll have nothing to lose when taking this supplement. However, you might want to take CBD under the supervision of a general practitioner, or a naturopath.
Author’s Bio
Marlena Bontas is a freelance writer with a passion for health, technology and mental wellness. She has an MA in Psychology from the University of Helsinki and is currently travelling. Write her on Twitter at @MarlenaEeva.