What You Need to Know About CBD's Medical Benefits

Recently, since cannabis prohibition has slowly ended, a surge of studies have appeared claiming cannabidiol’s (CBD) many medical benefits. From anxiety to chronic pain to the potential prevention of cancer, this little cannabinoid has truly made a name for itself.

Have you been suffering from an illness and are struggling to find the right solution? Have you heard of CBD and are wondering more about how it can help you?

If so, we at Weediom have developed this guide just for you. Our in-depth analysis looks into a variety of CBD medical benefits understood by researchers as of this time. Alongside, we offer you the studies published surrounding these claims.

Before we begin, it’s important to note that the following isn’t everything cannabidiol has been claimed to treat. If there’s an illness you’d like to learn more about that isn’t on our list, we highly advocate you do more research. CBD’s versatility is truly too versatile for a single article.

Furthermore, due to prohibition, research has been limited. In order for the Federal Drug and Food Administration (FDA) to approve any cannabis product as a viable prescription, more research is necessary.

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Antipsychotic

Schizophrenia is one of the most difficult mental illnesses to treat as traditional medications alongside psychotherapies aren’t having an impact on patients.¹ However, CBD may just be an answer.

A study published by the University of Cologne in Germany has discovered that CBD has the potential to relieve a number of psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions.²

When someone ingests cannabidiol, it balances out their endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is responsible for a number of natural functions, including mood, emotions, and even pain. Due to this balance, CBD can even reduce the effects of THC, the cannabinoid in marijuana that gets people “high”.³

Anxiety and Depression

Struggling with an anxiety disorder or depression? Have you heard that CBD may be able to help you?

Most of these assertions come from people’s personal experiences. Considering the addictive nature of antidepressants, many people turned to this organic alternative as soon as it hit the market. And some have gone as far as to say CBD has nearly reduced all their anxiety or depression symptoms.

Interesting enough, research shows there may be a good reason for these assertions.

In a 2011 study, a group of scientists wanted to see how CBD would affect people with a social anxiety disorder (SAD).⁴ Out of a group of 24 individuals, 12 were given 600 mg of CBD while the other 12 were given a placebo. These individuals then had to engage in a simulated public speaking test.

It was found that those who were given the CBD had a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms, cognitive impairment, and initial worries about the test. Those who had received the placebo felt no differences.

In terms of depression, studies have found that CBD has a positive impact on serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for happiness and feelings of well-being.⁵

Cancer

Cancer is one of those diseases the entire world is waiting on a solution for. Though cannabis isn’t the solution, it may bring us one step closer.

In a study published by the California Pacific Medical Center, CBD was discovered to terminate certain genes that are responsible for breast cancer.⁶ In other words, a CBD medical benefit is to inhibit cancer growth.

Still, this was only one of the many forms of cancer. Therefore, more research is necessary to confirm if CBD is a responsible medication.

However, on a positive note, cannabidiol can help with side effects associated with traditional forms of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy.⁷ These side effects include:

Loss of appetite
Nausea/Vomiting
Pain

Due to these findings, some researchers think CBD should be studied as a complementary therapy to traditional cancer treatment.

Chronic Pain

Within our endocannabinoid system are CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are responsible for signaling the brain when we feel pain.⁸

CBD has an indirect effect on our CB1 receptors and, when levels are too high, will balance it back to its homeostasis state. In effect, this has helped alleviate people who feel anything from mild to chronic pain.

Digestive Aid

Cannabis will stimulate a person’s appetite. Though, CBD works a bit differently than the munchies.

There are a number of different diseases that prevent people from wanting to eat. Usually due to nausea or consistent vomiting. Since CBD has the ability to reduce nausea, it also has the ability to make someone want to eat again.⁹

It’s important to understand that CBD isn’t the answer to any digestive issues you may face. Though it can help, the true cure is a proper diet and regular exercise.

Epilepsy

Currently, the FDA has only approved CBD for prescription use for rare cases of epilepsy through the medication Epidiolex.¹⁰

When a person has a seizure or convulsion, their brains are experiencing erratic electrical activity that appears as uncontrollable physical movements and even alters consciousness. CBD’s role in seizures or convulsions isn’t entirely understood. Still, there’s hard evidence that it can help.

In a 2019 review, it was found that those who take Epidiolex experience between 30 and 63 percent decrease in seizures. Furthermore, when one did experience a seizure, it was about half as severe as normal.¹¹

Heart Health

CBD has been found to lower blood pressure after consumption. For people who have high blood pressure this is good news.

High blood pressure is known to put people at risk for a number of health conditions, including:

Heart attacks
Metabolic syndrome
Stroke

One of the biggest causes of high blood pressure is stress. In a recent study, 9 men were given 600mg of CBD oil. It was discovered that their blood pressure was reduced compared to a placebo group.¹²

The same study also inflicted stress as a means of attempting to stimulate higher blood pressure. However, those who had taken CBD had a significantly lower increase in their blood pressure.

Inflammation

Since CBD can reduce pain through the endocannabinoid system, it can also reduce inflammation through interactions with neurotransmitters.¹³

This can have a huge benefit on those with conditions such as arthritis. A 2011 study found gave rats cannabidiol, inflammatory pain was reduced due to the way the pain receptors respond to stimuli.¹⁴

For those experiencing inflammation, CBD topicals are ideal as they can target specific areas of the body.

Skin

CBD’s medical benefits may help with a number of different skin conditions. These include:

Acne

Acne is a skin condition that can be caused by genetics, bacteria, underlying inflammation, and an abundance of sebum. CBD is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Due to this, it may help reduce acne and sebum production.

In one study, CBD oil had been found to stop sebaceous gland cells from discharging excess sebum.¹⁵

Anti-Aging and Wrinkles

CBD oil has antioxidant properties and, due to this, can decrease signs of aging.¹⁶ When it comes to age, CBD has been found to:

Clear marks (such as wrinkles and other physical factors of aging)
Decrease skin drabness
Diminish ruddiness

Sensitive Skin

Studies have found that cannabidiol has the ability to hinder triggers of certain skin diseases, such as psoriasis.¹⁷

Your Questions

Still have questions concerning CBD’s medical benefits?

We invite you to ask them in the comments section below. If you have any further professional or personal experience with these benefits, we’d also love to hear from you.