Welcome back! This is the second part of my series on CBD For Beginners. Last post we discussed some of the technical aspects of CBD and some of the extraction methods used in the industry and by individuals at home for their own medicinal use. If you missed the first article, you can check it out here:
@thelogicaldude/cbd-for-beginners-cbd-explained-the-introduction
So now let's talk about some of the ways that CBD can help improve your life!
CBD has been used as a medicine in many cultures for thousands of years. Many consumers today are looking for safer alternatives to prescription drugs and their often harsh side effects. CBD has been proven to provide relief from many chronic conditions without any harmful side effects.
Some of the many things CBD can help with include:
Chronic Pain
CBD creates anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects that quickly help with pain management. It’s been studied in relation with reducing cancer pain, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines, and other body pain, particularly back and neck pain. This is something my family knows all too well and is the main reason they use CBD. When a 21 year old would rather have CBD heavy products than THC because it helps his migraines, you know it works, haha.
Anxiety Management
This is my number one reason for going for the CBD heavy products in many cases. I am a very anxious person and CBD helps calm me down in a way that nothing else can. So let's get into the science of why this happens.
CBD interacts with distinct receptors found mostly in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. While the exact way CBD interacts isn’t quite known, it’s believed that it may alter serotonin signals which is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in your overall mental health.
Low serotonin levels have been directly associated with depression and anxiety. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that CBD has been shown to reduce stress in rats, which means it could be used for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Well, as I am not a rat, or at least I don't see myself as one, haha, I know it works on humans, at least from my experience, research, and well, my opinion.
Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural response to injury. Chronic inflammation is a prolonged response that can negatively impact tissues and organs. Chronic inflammation is found with many diseases and disorders, like Crohn’s disease, cancer, ulcerative colitis, asthma, and diabetes. This is another reason my family uses it. My ex and son's disorder also comes with an addition diagnosis of EDS, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which is a tissue and joint disorder, for lack of more detailed explanation. This comes with quite a bit of inflammation. One of my ex wife's favorite products for this is a mix of topical CBD lotion on the inflamed area while also taking a tincture to treat it from the inside. CBD reduces inflammation through several pathways in the body and occurs relatively quickly.
Depression
CBD is thought to interact with special receptors found mostly in the central nervous system (CB1) and peripheral nervous system (CB2).
A 2014 study found CBD produced an antidepressant and anti- anxiety effect, and a 2018 review found that CBD can reduce stress if the depression is stress related.
In many cases, THC can actually worsen your depressed state where the CBD will actually do the opposite. In my personal experiences with depression, I would think, yes, let me just smoke a joint and I will feel better, but then I would go into a deeper hole than I was in before. But when I discovered CBD, I realized I was doing it wrong. CBD has different calming effects so when you are feeling down, it may be the lift you need. And without the 'high' feeling, you can still feel more clear headed, which can also help lift you out of the depression as well.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune disorders are where the body’s immune system gets mixed up and thinks its own cells are the invaders. Then, it goes to work attacking different areas of the body as if they were diseased. CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, so it may also help with autoimmune disorders. It kind of works to get your body's immune system back in alignment with how it is supposed to operate. It is also wise to combat this form of disorder with other heavy anti-oxidant nutrients to give your system a bigger boost.
Metabolic Syndrome (diabetes or obesity)
Diabetes is an inflammatory condition and CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects as we have discussed.
A 2016 study, published in Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, found that CBD-treated mice showed a reduction in pancreatic inflammation and developed diabetes later than mice who didn’t receive the compound.
They also showed a reduction in immune-cell activity, which can cause inflammation. CBD has shown allot of promise in lowering insulin resistance and moderating blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes who are not taking insulin.
Are you starting to see a pattern? Big Pharma wants you to stay sick, just saying...
Neuropsychiatric Illness (alcoholism, PTSD)
A 2019 review of several studies found that CBD potentially showed anti-psychotic and anxiolytic properties. It was also shown to reduce the addictive effects of many common drugs. This goes hand in hand with the depression factor. In many cases, less depression, less alcohol and hard drug use.
Several recent studies have also shown that CBD can help with Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms like nightmares and replaying negative memories.
These studies looked at CBD as a stand-alone treatment and along with traditional medication or cognitive behavioral therapy. Many military veterans are turning to CBD to help with PTSD symptoms and in many cases are having to move to completely different locations due to local regulations so they can get their medications. And surprise fact, it's not covered under the VA...lol.
Cardiovascular Dysfunction (arrhythmia, atherosclerosis)
CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects may be able to reduce some of the risks of cardiovascular disorder like high blood pressure. In a 2009 study, CBD did reduce the blood pressure of rats exposed to a stressful stimulus. In 2017, a study showed reduced blood pressure in people compared with a placebo.
In my own personal studies and experiments, I can concur that CBD does help lower blood pressure on a temporary basis, more or less as a relief kind of thing. I deal with high blood pressure and I have tested my pressure both before and after CBD use and in every case, the CBD has helped to lower my blood pressure by a decent amount.
Skin Disorders (acne, dermatitis, psoriasis)
Topical CBD also reduces oil production, provides moisture to the skin, and may relieve pain and itching. These products are also showing encouraging results in pain relief caused by certain skin disorders.
CBD also has proven neuroprotective effects, meaning that it protects your nervous cells and system. Several academic research centers are now investigating CBD’s anti-cancer effects.
In Conclusion
You get the idea of why Big Pharma is either trying to kill the CBD industry. As you see, there is a ton of evidence mounting against the government and corporations claims that cannabis is bad for you and that the only way you can survive is by their poisons! Well I say no more! Educate yourself on the matter, don't just take my word for it!
DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional, just figured that needed to be said, lol. I am just a dude that has dealt with his share of issues with self and family and have done allot of research! The information is all out there, you just need to go and absorb it and discern it to either be truth or not. In most cases governments and corporations lie to you so you continue to buy their products, or traditional doctors keep you sick so you keep coming back and taking whatever drug they are pushing for the week!
Take charge of your own health!
Again, as listed in the last article, here are some of the resources I used and can help you on your journey! Next article we will be talking about the top 5 forms of CBD!
6 Benefits of CBD Oil:
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-benefits
CBD for Anxiety:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-use-cbd- for-anxiety
CBD Explained:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221
CBD on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol
Header image from pixabay.com
