The Self Improvement Blog | Self Esteem | Self Confidence

Every once in a while the “alternative-medicine” sector gets all excited about a new herbal treatment that promises to strengthen the immune system and cure a bunch of infections. But no herbal medicine has been so widely marketed (and controversial) as CBD. Cannabidiol, a hemp extract, has been studied extensively by medical experts for its healing properties, and while much has been learned about cannabinoids and their potential as a medicine, CBD still surprises the experts with its wide range of use.

Want to know more about what CBD can do for you? CBD Central has tons of material on CBD. Check out these six health benefits:

Relieves Pain

Pain relief is one of the main reasons people use CBD, and in fact, a lot of the marketing that has gone around online has to do with its use in Pain management. Cannabidiol interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid receptors and in particular, CB1 and CB2 receptors to block pain signals transmitted through the nervous system, and at the same time releases pleasure hormones (serotonin, anandamide) to alleviate pain.

Its use as a pain reliever extends well beyond patients with arthritis and other forms of chronic pain. Athletes find it extremely useful for treating sore muscles and joint pain caused by intense workouts. CBD provides pain relief without the danger of side effects—and it can be used in conjunction with other medications (talk to your doctor before doing this).

 Reduces Risk of Diabetes

Long-term use of CBD balances insulin levels and encourages the production of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Another way that CBD can help with diabetes is through its anti-inflammatory effect, which may help with insulin resistance. There is a connection between chronic inflammation and insulin resistance—and CBD has potent anti-inflammatory effects that improve sugar metabolism, enhance cell growth, and generally enhance insulin function.

Hemp products are also known to help with weight management through processes such as fat browning, where white adipose is transformed to brown adipose (the latter is linked to fat loss).

Enhances Appetite

Do you have an eating disorder? CBD is one of the few natural treatments that will genuinely help with appetite—and not in a way that will make you fat. A lot of times low appetite is linked to hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, and in some cases, psychological factors. The good thing with CBD is that it operates on all these levels to give you a healthy appetite, and this happens without slowing down metabolic function or encouraging fat storage.

Scientists have found that cannabis products, including hemp and THC, cause abnormal cell death in certain types of cancer. But while these studies show that cannabinoids are good for treating cancer, they don’t suggest that CBD will cure the disease. For those in-the-know, cannabis has been recommended in the treatment of cancer as a side-medicine mainly because it has powerful antioxidants, and also because it fights nausea and the unpleasantness of cancer medication.

Increases Sleep Longevity

Sleep disorders are common among adults and pills don’t always address the main problem. CBD helps improve quality of sleep through its action in the brain and its soothing effect which leads to calm nerves, reduced Stress Hormones, and relaxed muscles. If you find it difficult to fall asleep quickly (and stay asleep), then CBD will help you clear your mind and relax, leading to deeper, more restful sleep.

Combats Anxiety

The stress hormone cortisol is one of the main reasons some people suffer from Anxiety. Stress hormones keep the body in the fight-or-flight mode for extended periods, and this can lead to a severe case of anxiety. While its true that most cases of anxiety, including social anxiety and general anxiety disorder are psychological, there are a few biological effects that contribute to the problem.

CBD releases the pleasure hormones that counter the effect of stress hormones, and at the same time it calms down the whole body, slowing down your heart rate to allow relaxation. This is what allows the mind to calm down and eliminates much of the anxiety.

About the Author

As a nature/natural-living enthusiast and passionate researcher with ten years in the cannabis industry, Kelsi enjoys playing her part to educate the world on the benefits of alternative health and medication options.