CBD, which is short for cannabidiol, is similar to THC, which is short for tetrahydrocannabinol, since it comes from the same plant but is different in that CBD is not psychoactive. Many people prefer CBD over THC for this reason, because CBD binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain weaker than THC, resulting in an “elated” rather than “high” feeling.
In any case, this shortlist is here to help you understand why you might hear people in the streets chanting, “we love CBDfx gummies” while parading around totally sober.
Medical Use
CBD has been legalized in many states more quickly than THC because it is seen as less of a “drug” and more an “anti-inflammatory. It is most popularly consumed or used topically for this reason.
It’s important to know that CBD can be obtained over the counter in states where it is recreationally legal to use it. In states where it isn’t recreationally legal, you must have a medical card that is approved by your physician in order to purchase it through prescription.
Aside from pain and inflammation, CBD is known to help with conditions such as epilepsy, seizures, migraines, depression, and anxiety.
Well-Being Treatment
On the topic of depression and anxiety, many people have found that taking CBD regularly can help with their mood. Though there is a significant lack of medical research on the use of CBD for treating these types of disorders, some animal studies have shown promising results.
THC is often used as well when it comes to treating mood disorders since the psychoactive effects are much stronger and easier to detect within the user. Both CBD and THC affect how the brain’s chemical receptors respond to the serotonin that is already present in the system. Since low serotonin levels are often linked to depression, some may find that using CBD can help due to the anti-stress effects.
THC is controversial on this front since it seems to affect people in many different ways: it can either induce or reduce the problem at hand. Since this is often the case, it is best to try these products in low dosages when experimenting or aiming to find a treatment that will work for you.
Addictions and Habits
Regardless of how severe the habit or addiction is, CBD can help with the cravings for drugs. It can help because some studies have shown that CBD reduces the amount of hyperactivity in the amygdala, which is the area in the brain that responds to addictive drug habits.
Skin Problems
As mentioned before, CBD can be consumed in a variety of ways. One of the most popular ways to use and consume CBD is with oil, which can be used to treat skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and itchy skin.
Similar to the way CBD affects the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the skin to help with conditions that are related to the ones listed above. Again, not very many studies have been proven enough for doctors to recommend CBD oil use for their patients, but many people have found that it works for them
Chemotherapy Relief
While CBD obviously isn’t the cure for cancer, it can reduce some of the side effects when facing chemotherapy such as nausea and vomiting. On top of that, some research has shown that CBD can reduce tumor growth in animals.
While it isn’t necessarily clear exactly how these effects seem to be working, CBD is considered by some medical experts to be a complementary treatment alongside other cancer treatment practices.
All in all, CBD is a great thing to check out if you are looking for an alternative treatment plan. Since it can be consumed through capsules, oils, inhalation, edibles, and drinks, that makes it one of the more versatile alternative treatments because you can customize your experimentation with the product.
Keep in mind that the health benefits listed here are based on new information because not much study has come out surrounding the use of CBD as treatment. It’s going to be around for a while though, so even if it doesn’t seem to work for you in the way you were intending, you might find that it serves a better purpose in your life since the effects differ from person to person and can change with age.