Cannabidiol or CBD is a naturally occurring substance that has been shown to help with numerous maladies. Oftentimes, people do not understand the difference among CBD, THC, and cannabis.  I will attempt to clear this up.

Cannabis usually contains high levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a psychoactive compound responsible for making you feel “high”. On the other hand, CBD contains less than 0.3% of THC, hence not having any psychogenic effects. It is used to treat many medical conditions; CBD has gained enormous popularity over the past few years because of the scientific evidence that supports these findings.

In this article, we will discuss the major beneficial effects of CBD oils.

CBD Oils benefitS

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a common chief complaint seen in hospitals; it is especially prevalent in seniors since it’s often associated with other diseases.

CBD has been used for centuries to treat chronic pain. In fact, one study suggests that marijuana was used thousands of years B.C to treat pain!

Our central nervous system contains thousands of neurotransmitters that regulate different biological functions, including sleep, metabolism, and energy expenditure. One of those neurotransmitters is an endocannabinoid, which activates the cannabinoid receptors found in the brain. By taking CBD oils, you will be artificially activating the cannabinoid receptors, which may create an analgesic effect, reducing pain caused by malignant disease. This effect was supported by a recent study published in 2018.

Depression and Anxiety

The prevalence and incidence of major depressive disorder and different forms of anxiety have been on the rise in the past couple of decades. This is due to the more stressful lifestyle of today; you might feel stressed at home, at work, and even on the streets.

Usually, these depression and anxiety are treated with psychotherapy and pharmaceutical drugs. The latter can be problematic since these drugs have addictive properties (e.g. benzodiazepines).

In a 2019 study, researchers analyzed the effect of CBD on anxiety. 57 participants were divided into four groups, with three groups receiving a different dosage of CBD and one group receiving a placebo. Anxiety was induced by a test known as a simulated public speaking test (SPST). At the end of the study, participants who received the 300mg dosage showed the best benefits compared to the other groups. Researchers concluded the study by stating that “findings confirm the anxiolytic-like properties of CBD and are consonant with results of animal studies describing bell-shaped dose-response curves. Optimal therapeutic doses of CBD should be rigorously determined so that research findings can be adequately translated into clinical practice.”

These results can be used to promote the use of CBD for patients dealing with mental health issues.

Neurodegenerative Diseases

As we age, many of us have to deal with neurodegenerative diseases at some point; these diseases include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, both of which cause detrimental signs and symptoms. The exact pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases is not clearly understood; therefore, we are unable to prevent these diseases or treat them. What makes things even worse is the fact that the damage caused by these illnesses is irreversible. In other words, once the neurons get damaged, there is no going back.

After many clinical trials, researchers are starting to appreciate the potential role CBD could play as a protective agent of the brain. In a 2014 study, researchers found that patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease could greatly benefit from CBD treatment.  In a 2018 study, it was proven that CBD acted to protect synaptic plasticity in an in vitro model of Alzheimer’s disease leading to the conclusion that CBD can be a preventative medication either delaying or completely eliminating the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Cardiovascular Health

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is considered the number one killer in the world, taking more lives than cancer every year. CAD has many risk factors, including diabetes, blood hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity.

CBD can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by managing the risk factors; most notably, blood hypertension and oxidative stress. Both of these conditions increase the risk of CAD, stroke, and blood vessel aneurysms. CBD oils reduce blood pressure significantly according to a 2014 study. Additionally, CBD decreases oxidative stress on a cellular level, which has been implicated in many diseases, including heart disease.

Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the whole world; it is considered a risk factor for heart disease and can cause many complications, including:

Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic retinopathy

The incidence of diabetes peaks after the age of 40. In a 2019 study, researchers found that CBD treatment could reduce the risk of diabetes by 56% by cutting down hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), lowering cholesterol and “bad fat” levels, and upping insulin production.

Conclusion

CBD is gaining enormous popularity in the past few years; this is due to the major health benefits scientists reported. Additionally, the use of CBD has minimal side effects that could easily be managed.

The growth in the use of CBD oils is widespread, and for good reason: IT WORKS.

At Melting Pot, we know first hand how our CBD oil candles have benefited our customers.  Check out our testimonials.  After you start using our candles, we’d love to hear how your life has improved and how you are using them so we can share your story with other potential customers.

Monee Green
Owner
Melting Pot