In recent times, Cannabidiol (CBD) has been quite useful in the research and treatment of pain, sleep disorders and anxiety, and other related medical issues. You have this particular colleague in the office who leaves very late, does all pending work at home, sleeps, and still works very well the following day. You begin to doubt their human nature until you find out he/she uses CBD supplements. If you see this compound of marijuana as a means to get high during your leisure, then your understanding of the substance is myopic.
As a result of its non-psychoactive effects (it has less THC than marijuana), Cannabidiols have played revolutionary roles in the medical field. Talk about its application in treating various ailments: sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, pain, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and seizures, smoking addictions, just to mention a few.
In this article, we will outline the benefits of CBD and its role in relieving pain and treating sleep and anxiety disorders.
CBD for Treating Anxiety Disorders
There are a thousand and one things that can disturb one’s emotions. A public speaker, for example, has a high tendency to get anxious before mounting the podium. During research at a public speaking event, the partaking orators who ingested a CBD supplement reported that they felt more comfortable and less anxious during the performance. If you are anxious before a big event, the Cannabidiols will help relieve your anxiety but ensure you take the right quantity.
CBD is beneficial in the treatment of various mental health illnesses:
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- General anxiety disorder
Medical practitioners have advised patients diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder to stay away from ingesting cannabis. This is because tetrahydrocannabinol, unlike Cannabidiols, can skyrocket anxiety levels in the body.
CBD as a Pain Reliever
If you hate swallowing pills, CBD oil and other CBD supplements are an ideal replacement for opioids and painkillers. Cannabidiols have been effective in the research and treatment of pain, uneasiness, and swellings arising from medical complications in different parts of the body – cancer, arthritis, migraine, sclerosis, amongst others.
In the treatment of chronic pain, CBD helps the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain and immune system respond to different inducements. A research carried out over 43 years – from 1975 to early 2018 – showed that CDB successfully cured pain without any side effects. Although research is still ongoing, CBD could help patients with arthritis avoid inflammation and relieve pain. When combined with THC, CBD has proven to help to treat pain arising from cancer and migraine. Using the THC-CBD oral spray with opioids yielded better results than only opioids.
How Does CBD Improve Sleep?
An average human would last a few days without food but won’t last as long if they are deprived of sleep. Good sleep is vital to living a long and healthy life but have you ever wondered, “what makes us sleep?” Sleep is induced when the brain secretes melatonin. If you feel drowsy at night, it is as a result of melatonin secretion. It also regulates our sleeping and waking time – dim light triggers melatonin’s secretion, and bright light stops it.
Insomnia is usually caused by the inability of the brain to secrete enough melatonin required to induce sleep. The treatment of insomnia is among the benefits of CBD. Studies have shown an increase in the sleep quality of insomnia patients after the intake of CBD supplements. Insomnia is common among older adults because the body produces less melatonin as we grow older. With Cannabidiols, you say goodbye to sleepless nights.
CBD in Different Forms.
The CBD extract from the cannabis plant is popularly known as CBD oil. Although the extract can be derived from either the hemp plant or marijuana, they are done separately. This is because the hemp (derived from the seed and stalk of the cannabis plant) has less THC content than marijuana.
There are many ways to ingest CBD. Chances that you run out of available products for each means of consuming Cannabidiols are very low. CBD is common in pills and capsules or infused in a wide range of products:
- Solutions: CBD extract is available in solutions that can be consumed by adding a few drops of the oil to beverages.
- Foods: Foods items that contain CBD oil are commonly known as CBD-infused edibles. Cookies and cakes are the most popular in this category. The CBD concentration in edibles is normally listed in milligrams.
- Vape Concentrates: A vape pen or a vaporizer heats the CBD extract and produces vapor that can be inhaled. This method is still the quickest way to get CBD into the body.
Caution: CBD for Pain, Sleep, and Anxiety
In 2017, a review was carried out to ascertain CBD’s effects on consumers, and its safety was guaranteed. Although they may be minor, the side effects of CBD are very unusual to come by. Possible side effects of CBD include:
- Variation in hunger
- Diarrhea
- Exhaustion
- Changes in weight
Be cautious of the following:
- Always follow the doctor’s prescription; use the specified dosage at the right time. If you suffer from anxiety, your dosage would most likely differ from someone who has trouble sleeping.
- Contact the medical practitioner before combining CBD with other drugs as it might affect the medication. Also, talk to the doctor if you notice any unusual changes.
- Avoid purchasing Cannabidiol products over the counter. This is to prevent the intake of counterfeit drugs.
- Make thorough findings before buying from a company; ensure their product is quality and guaranteed by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
- Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children younger than two years should not ingest CBD.
Conclusion
As the days go by, medical practitioners become more interested in using CBD as a therapy for numerous medical conditions. Unlike THC, CBD products have limited side effects and do not make consumers intoxicated. Hence, the reason for the advancement of its applications. Consumers should consult a healthcare specialist on the products to use and the amount to take.
The consumption of CBD products is illegal in some states where the substance is unapproved. Research extensively to make sure you follow all national and residential laws. The FDA has detailed information about using CBD for treating pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
