CBD oil is an increasingly popular alternative medicinal substance. Cannabidiol, known colloquially as CBD, is one of the many compounds (cannabinoids) in the cannabis plant. Until recently, the best-known compound in cannabis was delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, the most active cannabinoid in marijuana. Recently, researchers have been searching for therapeutic uses of CBD. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive; it does, however, appear to produce significant changes in the body, suggesting medical benefits.
CBD offers a natural alternative to pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil and Ibuprofen. Authors of a study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that CBD significantly reduced chronic inflammation and pain. The research also suggested that the non-psychoactive compounds in marijuana, including CBD, could constitute a new treatment for chronic pain.
Researchers have also discovered a link between CBD use and certain conditions characteristic of epileptic seizures; a low dose of CBD may ease seizures. In fact, in June of 2018, the FDA approved CBD for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two rare and severe forms of epilepsy. The most common side effects were very mild, including sleepiness, sedation and lethargy, elevated liver enzymes, and decrease appetite.
Several studies are ongoing regarding the potential effect of CBD on certain neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as a variety of anxiety disorders. According to a review from Neurotherapeutics, CBD may reduce anxiety-related behaviors in people with panic disorders, PTSD, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Most recently, researchers have begun to unpack the connection between CBD and Gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS. While these studies are in their preliminary stages, early findings suggest that CBD can play a vital role in the neuromodulatory function of the GI system. Certain reactions can lead to inhibiting the secretion of digestive fluid and inflammation. While these studies are far from complete, we are looking forward to the results.