CBD is a chemical present in hemp or a cannabis sativa plant. The difference between CBD and marijuana is that CBD is not rich in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that makes people high. The most common product of CBD is oil, as it was the first to be produced.
With time, different companies are developing different CBD products, some of which include oil-based capsules and vaporized liquid. There are also many drinks, beauty products, and CBD-infused foods. Many of these products are sold online, and you can have access to them no matter where you are.
Introduction
There are more than 80 different chemicals found in cannabis sativa. These chemicals are known as cannabinoids. The most common ingredient in cannabis CBD is Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is a direct product of hemp with a very low THC. Although CBD affects the brain in some way, most of these are positive effects that differ from THC.
Some studies have confirmed that CBD can treat people addicted to opioid dependency. It can reduce heroin use disorder, withdrawal anxiety, salivary cortisol levels, cue-induced cravings, and resting heart rate. There are no notable side effects of using CBD-infused products on such patients.
Positive Health Benefactors of CBD
Besides CBD’s effects on the brain, it has many other notable health benefactors. Some of these include:
Treats Select Epilepsy
A prescription for a form of cannabidiol has been used for a long time to treat seizure disorder (epilepsy). The first drug to be approved for treating epilepsy is known as Epidiolex. This drug was released on the market in 2018 and was proven to treat two types of epilepsy; Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
Epidiolex is safe to use even in kids as young as two. It’sIt’s effect in reducing the seizure frequency is the same as that of a placebo.
Treats Anxiety and Depression
CBD has proven to have great effects on different anxiety disorders. These include; Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic disorder, and panic disorder. It has also been used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders like nausea and chronic pain.
Its ability to calm our nerves is one of the major advantages of using CBD to cure anxiety and depression. CBD has better or similar effects to an antidepressant known as imipramine.
Can Treat ALS Symptoms
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a condition or disease affecting nerve cells in our brain and spinal cord. It deteriorates the nerve cells and causes loss of muscle control. If not treated early, this condition can worsen. This is said to be a hereditary disease, and there has been no known treatment for ALS for a long time.
Research has shown that combining CBD and THC can produce a helpful entourage effect for ALS patients. The same combination can work for PTSD patients, too.
Just like any other drug in the market, CBD should be used with a lot of caution. A qualified doctor can identify its side effects, drug interactions, resistance, and sensitivity in different individuals. It’s advisable to get a prescription from your doctor before using CBD products. Taking an accurate dosage is important for maximum effectiveness.