Cannabidiol (CBD) started out as an alternative health treatment. Over the past several years, it has become more than a trend. It is now a source of wellness support for many.
In fact, according to a survey conducted by SingleCare in 2020, 33% of American adults have used CBD or CBD-infused products at least once. Based on the findings of the 2019 Consumer Reports, around 64 million Americans have tried CBD within the past two years. 22% of those individuals have used it to either supplement or replace over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
But is CBD’s current popularity among the masses reason enough for you to add it in some way into your daily routine?
Benefits Of CBD-Infused Products:
While the studies on the health benefits of CBD are still few and far between, the ones that have already been conducted show a lot of promise.
Anxiety And Stress
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 40 million adults in the US (18 years and above) have an anxiety disorder. In addition, the American Psychological Association stated in 2019 that over 75% of adults have reported symptoms of stress.
While stress and anxiety are not interchangeable, their symptoms are quite similar – excessive worry, sleeplessness, high blood pressure, tension headaches, apprehension, and even body pain.
Based on preliminary research, CBD or CBD-infused products has great potential in treating anxiety disorders. According to one study, a low dose of CBD was effective in relieving symptoms of anxiety caused by public speaking.
This effect is believed to be due to CBDโs ability to increase the transmission activity of serotonin receptors and increase the availability of the hormone in the brain. Serotonin is a hormone that helps regulate mood, happiness, and anxiety. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to anxiety.
Aside from helping you keep calm, some study suggests that CBD can help promote the regeneration of the neurons in the hippocampus – the part of the brain that is involved in the regulation of stress hormones.
When your hippocampus is exposed to chronic stress, the rate of cell proliferation decreases quickly. CBD can help block or even reverse any damage caused by stress to your hippocampus.
While there is still a lot to be learned about CBD and its effect on anxiety, many people have reported that they have either supplemented or replaced their prescription drugs with CBD.
While there are no clinical guidelines, the hemp CBD suggested use given by experts for treating anxiety is 300mg to 600mg. However, it is best to start with a low dose and increase your intake as you go along, depending on how you feel.
Chronic Pain And Inflammation
A lot of people take CBD for pain relief. According to a study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 62% of those surveyed are using CBD to help ease chronic pain. A big reason for this is that this treatment does not cause intoxication and addiction.
There have been several studies conducted on the use of CBD-infused products for pain management. While researchers still aren’t sure exactly how CBD helps alleviate pain in the body, there are some theories. It is believed that CBD may be influencing receptor activity in our central nervous system that is largely responsible for pain perception.
Sleep
Because stress and anxiety can result in poor sleep, it can be said that CBD-infused products can have a positive effect on sleep albeit indirectly. But preliminary research also suggests that it has the potential to treat certain sleep disorders such as insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Balance
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for keeping our body in homeostasis or perfect balance. It helps regulate the following internal processes:
- mood
- pain perception
- immune function
- appetite
- inflammation
- sleep
- memory
- fertility
- motor control
- pleasure/reward
- liver function
- skin and nerve function
Whenever there is something in your body that is not functioning properly, the ECS works to bring things back to normal by sending information to the right cells and triggering the appropriate response. For example, if your heart is beating too fast, the ECS is activated to tell it to slow down.
There are times when our body does not produce enough endocannabinoids which means some of our internal processes are not regulated. When that happens, our body becomes unbalanced. CBD interacts with the ECS, stimulating the production of endocannabinoids and preventing them from breaking down which prolongs their effect on your body. In short, CBD can help your body remain in balance.
CBD-Infused Products
While the CBD market may be new, there are already plenty of CBD-infused products that you can choose from. Dosage varies depending on the type of CBD-infused product you’re using. Aside from CBD oil, there are other products you can choose from including:
- tinctures
- inhalers
- nasal sprays
- hummus
- mac & cheese
- honey
- cereal
- lube
- massage oil
- lotion
- bath bombs
- face mask
- sparkling water
Itโs important to note that hemp CBD suggested use also varies; even scientists aren’t sure how much CBD a person should take for a specific condition. However, the general consensus is to start low and work your way up.
Ways To Take CBD Oil
Based on the variety of CBD-infused products, it’s plain to see that there are multiple ways to take CBD oil. Below are some examples:
- Sublingually
- In a smoothie
- In coffee
- using a vape pen
- in sweet treats
- in salad dressings
- in a cocktail
- as a topical rub or balm
Final Thoughts
CBD is not a miracle drug. And there is still a lot of research that needs to be done for us to fully understand and prove its health benefits. But it cannot be denied that it has improved the lives of many people, whether it’s relief from chronic pain or just a source of calm in a sea of stressors. A positive impact can greatly impact a person’s quality of life.
