CBD oil has been a huge wave shaking up industries all over. It’s becoming so popular and mainstream that you can find CBD based goods at your local grocers in supplements and even snacks for humans and pets! If you haven’t paid the most attention (and why would you) you might not be aware of the benefits of CBD and find yourself asking what does CBD oil do anyways? This time on the DC Alchemy blog, we’re going to rundown the basics of CBD oil, what it does, and how folks are leveraging it for themselves.
What Does CBD Oil Do
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a phytocannabinoid, meaning it is a compound found in cannabis. It was discovered way back in 1940, and since then has been researched in numerous studies to understand the effects of its usage, however not all of those studies have been of the most rigorous nature. Due to a number of different laws and regulations, it’s only been in the past few years that this has really started to open up.
Now, scientists and researchers have found CBD, and the oil made of it, to be useful in several ways – all backed by compelling, if not absolute certain science. It can help with pain relief, better restful sleep, immunity, and more!
How does CBD do all this?
Our bodies have a special system called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. It is made up of various parts and plays a role in a number of different functions. If you think of it sorta like your nervous system, you’re not too far off. Anyways, the ECS is involved in regulating functions like appetite, sleep, pain and the immune system. Let’s go through what CBD oil does, and how it interacts with the ECS to do so.
Pain Relief
Listen, we all know marijuana has been used for pain relief back five thousand years ago, and now scientists are beginning to better understand the nature of that relief and that it seems to come predominantly from CBD!
One of the main sources of ‘pain’ is inflammation and CBD helps fight that! The studies so far show that CBD works by impacting activity in the endocannabinoid receptors, which reduces inflammation and interacts with the neurotransmitters that send the ‘pain signal,’ if that make sense. So you have CBD reducing inflammation that causes pain, and what remaining pain is there is limited by the interaction with the neurotransmitters. Nice.
Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are unfortunately all too common. Thankfully, CBD is showing some promising results as treatment for both. One particular study found that people who received a 300mg dose of CBD before a simulated public speaking test reported less anxiety during it. Some studies with animals have found it have antidepressant-like effects.
These studies are limited however, the public speaking test was performed in Brazil with a sample size of only 57 men being given oral CBD or a placebo. But, taken together with the other studies it points in a really positive, exciting direction for the potential of CBD oil and anxiety and depression.
Potential Neuroprotective Properties
Some scientists believe that since CBD acts with the ECS, it may have potential benefits to other brain systems, including those that are impacted by neurological disorders. Studies performed with CBD and epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and more all have shown promising results.
It is incredibly important that we note we are not medical professionals and our understanding of these incredibly complex studies is limited, as are the studies themselves. But the biggest take away is that things are looking promising. And as the larger push towards legalization continues, more and more robust, well funded research will be performed and we’ll get incredible, powerful new treatments and options to better our lives through CBD, oil or otherwise.
But you don’t have to wait to find out! You can start supplementing with CBD, vaping or otherwise, right now and see how it helps improve your life today!
