A non-psychoactive compound that is derived from the cannabis plant, CBD oil is growing in popularity today and is one of the more widely used forms of cannabidiol. And it often seems today that wherever you look, CBD is being advertised as a cure for a wide range of different conditions. You can find CBD in a huge range of products that are designed to relieve all manner of physical and mental health issues, aid with sleep, boost energy, and more. So, what exactly is CBD and what can it be used for?

What is CBD?

CBD or cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound that is found in both hemp and cannabis plants, both of which are different varieties of the same plant species. These plants are grown for a wide variety of different products, including food, insulation, paper, textiles, supplements, and skincare. While headlines might lead some to believe that CBD is some kind of miracle treatment, the truth is that there are only so far a handful of conditions that scientific studies suggest it can be effective in treating. So, what conditions can CBD be useful for?

Pain:

CBD is quickly gaining popularity as a natural form of pain relief. When CBD reaches the vanilloid receptors in the body, the interaction results in lower inflammation levels and different pain perception. Studies have found that CBD may be effective in helping patients with arthritis manage their pain. It examined whether or not using a CBD gel topically could reduce inflammation and signs of pain, concluding that the product did offer some relief without evidence of adverse side effects. If you are considering using CBD products for pain, this pain relief patch might be a useful option for you. A pain relief patch can be worn close to the targeted area to provide quick relief where it is needed. You can find CBD patches and more trusted CBD products from Handpicked CBD, a UK brand working with a range of high-quality CBD manufacturers.

Epilepsy:

For decades, there have been some anecdotal reports about the use of CBD as a treatment for epilepsy, and today, there are some rigorous scientific studies that appear to back these claims up. A study from May 2018 found that CBD was effective at reducing the number of seizures suffered by patients with a certain form of epilepsy known as Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. CBD formulations are now available for this type of epilepsy, amongst others.

Mental Health:

The results of CBD on mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression have been quite promising so far, with studies showing that CBD can be very effective in promoting relaxation and reducing the symptoms of anxiety in particular. There are hundreds of studies looking into how CBD might be used to treat a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, with many concluding that topical CBD has a considerable amount of potential as a treatment for a variety of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.

Acne and Other Skin Conditions:

In July 2014, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation suggested that CBD, when applied topically, can be a potent acne treatment thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Three years later, further studies found that CBD can also be useful as a treatment to reduce the inflammation and irritation associated with conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

Cancer Treatment:

While there is still research to be done surrounding the effectiveness of CBD for treating cancer cells themselves, there has been a high focus on the use of CBD for reducing the symptoms often associated with cancer treatments like chemotherapy, which tend to include vomiting, pain, and nausea. CBD has been shown as effective for reducing the effects of these symptoms and helping cancer patients to be more comfortable and enjoy a better quality of life throughout their treatment.

High Blood Pressure:

In the UK, researchers have found that CBD may also be effective for reducing blood pressure. A group of healthy men aged between 19-29 who were not smokers and had never used cannabis participated in a study involving CBD. This found that CBD had the potential to reduce the resting blood pressure by 6ml of mercury, which can ultimately significantly reduce the risk of suffering a stroke. The study suggested that this response might be down to the pain and anxiety-reducing effects of CBD, which in turn can reduce the blood pressure.

CBD might not be a cure-all miracle, but there is certainly a wide and varied range of conditions that it can be used to treat and relieve the symptoms of. CBD is known to be a natural and safe treatment to take for any of the above conditions and is certainly worth trying out.