CBD is one of the fastest-growing product segments in the health and wellness space. Millions of Americans have replaced their chemical-ridden pain and anxiety meds with CBD gummies, oils, and other such cannabinoid-based products.
The demand is so high, that every day a new CBD brand pops up in the market claiming their product as the best and unique. You can add it to your smoothies, make dishes with it, and even apply it as pain relieving ointment. But there’s more to it, this article will cover everything you need to know about adding CBD to your wellness routine and its best use cases.
What exactly is CBD?
CBD belongs to a family of plant compounds known as cannabinoids. It’s mainly found in cannabis sativa plants and has many natural therapeutic properties. It’s analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic in nature.
The 2018 farm bill clearly states that only industrial hemp-derived CBD with no more than 0.3% THC is legal. Why? Because THC ( Tetrahydrocannabinol) is highly intoxicating and can make you high.
Hemp plants naturally have very low amounts of THC. CBD and THC are known as major cannabinoids, but there are over 110+ cannabinoids in cannabis sativa plants. Many experts believe that CBD is a much better alternative to opioid-based medicines because it’s completely nonpsychoactive, doesn’t have any major effects, and makes a person addicted to it.
What are the main use cases of CBD?
From neurological condition treatment to reducing pain and anxiety, CBD has many use cases. It mainly works by improving the function and efficiency of our body’s endocannabinoid system. Let’s take a look at CBD’s different uses in detail.
Pain Relief
From muscle pain to achy joints, CBD can help you with different types of chronic and acute pain. It does so by bringing down the inflammation in the body and numbing the pain-signaling pathways.
People use it for various painful conditions like arthritis, back pain, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and even fibromyalgia. In sync with other cannabinoid, it can provide you lasting relief from chronic pain.
It’s also useful for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who need to manage delayed-onset muscle soreness after a long workout session. Unlike some pain medications, it doesn’t make you feel high or groggy, which is the major reason behind its increasing popularity. Even sports bodies like NBA and WADA, have become lenient about CBD use by Athletes.
Anxiety Management
We all hate that feeling of dread, fear, panic, and helplessness when anxiety takes over. It can trigger at any time, especially during stressful events. CBD can help you to manage it better, it relaxes your whole body and mind and allows you to focus better.
You can take it every day, it’s completely natural and organic, and don’t cause any major side effects if, even if you take too much accidentally there’s no risk of overdosing. Plenty of people use it for everyday stress, like before a big presentation or during a busy workday.
It can also help with social anxiety which makes it easier for you to handle crowded spaces and when you meet someone new. It may also help you to curb your racy thoughts during bedtime.
Improving Sleep
Lack of quality sleep leads to severe health conditions like high blood pressure, weight gain, degrading heart health, kidney diseases, diabetes,s and more. It’s such a common issue that almost 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders.
Though there’s no concrete research to prove it, there’s plenty of anecdotal data from users that shows that CBD helps them slide into a restful sleep. It curbs bedtime anxiety, and stress and helps to manage disrupted cycles.
It improves our circadian rhythm and makes the whole body relaxed. Many users take it about an hour before bedtime. Some combine it with other natural sleep aids like melatonin.
Epilepsy Disorders
CBD is proven to be effective in the treatment of epilepsy disorders. It’s so effective that there’s even an FDA-approved CBD medicine called Epidiolex specifically for seizures. It works by calming overactive brain activity that causes seizures.
Many families with epileptic children have found Epidolex life-changing, as it can reduce both the number and severity of seizures. The latest research shows that CBD has strong neuroprotective properties. It has the potential to be effective in treating many neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, PTSD, and even ADHD.
Skin Health
Suffering from acne, dry skin, or itchy conditions like eczema? CBD-infused creams can provide quite some relief. Its natural pain and inflammation-suppressing properties and direct impact on TRPV1 receptors can do wonders for your skin health.
Many skincare products now include CBD because it seems to help calm angry skin without causing more irritation. Some people use it to reduce redness and swelling from breakouts. It may also help skin heal faster from scars caused by physical injuries. Most people use it in the form of creams, lotions, or facial oils, and apply it once or twice daily.
Nausea Control
CBD can help cancer patients by reducing feelings of vomiting and nausea. People dealing with chemotherapy or digestive issues can see great improvement by including a few drops of CBD oil in their diet.
It works by interacting with parts of the brain that control nauseating feelings. Some people find it helps them keep food down better and improves their appetite. In some cases, it works faster than some traditional anti-nausea medications and usually has fewer side effects.
The Key Notes
To sum it up, CBD is mainly used for managing anxiety, pain, and sleep conditions. When applied on the skin, it can help you to deal with redness, dryness, and rashes breakouts. It takes time to work though, and you might have to use it for weeks and even months before seeing any significant change.
Just stick to a schedule, and try to buy it only from reputed and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals. Also, increase your water intake to avoid dehydration, and CBD can cause a slight cotton mouth.
