With cannabis prohibition becoming more lax across the country (and the rest of the world, for that matter), we’re able to dive further into the research backing the health benefits individual sections of the plant can offer.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a part of the cannabis plant that is taking the nation by storm right now. Offering no psychoactive effects like its THC counterpart does, CBD carries only the beneficial properties and potential therapeutic benefits that can be sourced from the plant.
In fact, hemp-derived CBD like Bluebird Botanicals has begun picking up speed in popularity, as it provides no euphoric high like THC, but also none of the negative side effects.
We’ve narrowed down the list to present to you the 5 best benefits CBD can provide the human body. Each benefit is evidence-backed and research-based, looking at the potentials that this plant can offer without any of the high.
1. Antipsychotic Properties
Patients with Parkinson’s Disease or schizophrenia may soon be able to benefit from CBD. There’s already been research for both Parkinson’s Disease and schizophrenia and the effect cannabidiol might have.
2. Pain Reduction
While there’s a lot of research being mulled over about various pains that CBD can potentially treat, there is a focus on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In a double-blind, randomized, parallel group study that ran over 5 weeks, patients administered with CBD and not the placebo statistically produced significant improvements in their sleep, pain when moving, and pain at rest.
3. Alleviates Cancer Symptoms
This one’s a pretty big deal – CBD can fight some symptoms of cancer! The National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society both recognize the potential CBD oil has in reducing and slowing the spread of cancer cells. While it should be stressed that CBD isn’t a cure, it can be a vital asset in inhibiting or slowing the progression of various types of cancer. Likewise, pain experienced from nausea, loss of appetite, chemotherapy, and other cancer-related pain can potentially be treated with CBD.
4. Reduces Depression and Anxiety
CBD, and cannabis-derived ingredients in total, activate the CB1 receptors in the brain when consumed. These receptors tell your body to produce serotonin, which helps regulate your appetite, sleep, and most importantly, your mood. The anti-anxiety and antidepressant-like effects are still being researched, but it’s very promising as to what’s been uncovered thus far.
5. Treats Epilepsy
In 2018, the FDA approved a drug that was comprised with CBD, an active ingredient of cannabis, which is still federally a Schedule I drug. This overruled the federal law to allow the prescription drug to be available on the market to patients with two severe and rare forms of epilepsy, Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
The prescription, Epidiolex, was not only the first drug approved by the FDA that has an active ingredient derived from marijuana, but it was also the first prescription drug that’s ever been approved by the FDA to treat Dravet syndrome. This was not only a huge win for the cannabis industry, but an incredible win for patients effected with either one of the two rare syndromes.
