1.) CBD is the subject of intense scientific study
There are more than 85 cannabinoids in what we call cannabis, the best known of which are CBD and THC. For this reason, these two cannabinoids have benefited from the greatest number of scientific studies.
2.) CBD can’t get you “high”
CBD, unlike its psychoactive sibling THC, does not have the properties to get you “high”. Unlike THC, which binds to your CB1 and CB2 nerve receptors and produces various intoxicating and physical sensations, CBD does not. This is why CBD is usable by anyone, even those in professions that require serious mental clarity.
3.) CBD is therapeutic
Drugs help treat health and medical conditions around the world, but often the side effects can reduce or even outweigh the benefits. This is where CBD can excel. CBD is considered non-toxic and almost completely free of side effects, so for some it can replace other medications.
4.) CBD is legal
CBD is a natural product that can be extracted from industrial hemp plants. Although legal uses of hemp vary depending on location, CBD is not covered by these regulations due to the minute THC content that industrial hemp plants contain (less than 0.3%).
5.) CBD stimulates the important CB1 and CB2 receptors
When taken, CBD affects the two main cannabinoid receptors in the body. There is CB1, which is primarily found in the brain and central nervous system (nerves of the brain and spinal cord) and CB2, which is found in the cells of our immune system, gastrointestinal tract and peripheral nervous system (nerves reaching the rest of the body from the brain and spinal cord).
This is important because the effects of activating these receptors can be quite noticeable. For example, some studies have found that activation of CB2 receptors can rid the brain of beta-amyloid protein, a plaque found in people with Alzheimer’s disease, while activation of CB1 receptors can positively affect depression, reduce fear and paranoia, and reduce inflammatory bowel disease and blood pressure. CB1 receptor activation may even provide relief for one of the most prevalent mental disorders in the United States – anxiety.
6.) CBD works well for anxiety
Anxiety is most often treated with medication, psychotherapy or both. A 2018 survey in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research reported that more than 60% of cannabidiol users said they used CBD to treat a medical condition. The most common conditions reported by these users were pain, anxiety and depression.
7.) We produce cannabinoids naturally
Cannabinoids are naturally produced in our endocannabinoid system – a system that affects various bodily processes such as mood, appetite, pain and various cognitive functions. One of the most beneficial endocannabinoids is anandamide (the bliss molecule).
Anandamide is important because it activates our CB1 receptors:
- Relieve depression
- It is known to stop the proliferation of breast cancer cells
- Lower intestinal inflammation
- Reduce the incidence of leaky gut syndrome
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce anxiety, fear and paranoia
- Benefits for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
While anandamide acts to activate our CB1 receptors, our bodies release an enzyme called FAAH, which breaks down anandamide. The reason CBD is beneficial is because it inhibits the ability of FAAH to do its job.
NOTE: CBD also activates PPAR-gamma receptors (PPAR-gamma receptors play a role in lipid uptake, insulin sensitivity, dopamine release and beta-amyloid plaque degradation, which can positively affect diseases such as diabetes, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s).
8.) CBD can positively affect clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD)
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People with CECD produce lower levels of natural cannabinoids. The negative effects of this reduced production can be:
- Fibromyalgia
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Migration
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Huntington’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Autism
As noted earlier, drugs prescribed for these conditions can cause side effects worse than the symptoms. This is another area where CBD can naturally and without side effects increase the amount of cannabinoids in the body to promote better health.
9.) CBD is safe
According to the World Health Organization, CBD is generally tolerated by most people. It has a good safety profile and the US Food and Drug Administration has even approved an oral CBD product, Epidiolex , as a treatment for Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes – two serious seizure disorders in childhood.
10.) CBD can naturally help those who suffer from seizures and epilepsy
Because of Epidiolex’s safety profile, the DEA reclassified the drug from a Schedule I drug (no medical use, such as heroin) to a Schedule V drug (low abuse potential, such as a cough suppressant). This is great news because studies have shown that CBD positively affects people plagued by multiple daily seizures.
This is just more proof that CBD may be the natural pharmaceutical substitute we’ve been looking for.
