Among the main chemical components of the cannabis Sativa plant, Cannabidiol is the most popular. CBD can enter the body through smoke inhalation, or topical application. It then interconnects with the endocannabinoid system present in the body. It then interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the body and sends signals between nerve cells whenever a bodily function is out of its actual state. CBD is known for maintaining homeostasis and helps control mood, movement, immune system, and several other vital functions of the body.
 
Cannabidiol is drawn out from the cannabis Sativa plant in the form of oil, and it is often consumed after being combined with chemically inactive oil, such as hemp seed oil. CBD has gained popularity because of the several established benefits it has, and it can be easily found in a range of products, from oil extracts to potato chips.
 
Following are the nine researched benefits of CBD oil for health.
 

1. Counteracts depression and anxiety

 
CBD is admired because of its calming effect on mood. The research examined anxiety levels of people in a public speaking test, where 57 men were examined. Before speaking publicly, the men were given 150 milligrams, 300 milligrams, and 600 milligrams of CBD, or a placebo. Anxiety was significantly reduced in people who consumed 300 milligrams of CBD, compared with men who received a placebo. However, the study also showed unexpected results in a few cases, where anxiety levels increased in the people who received either 150 milligrams, or 600 milligrams of CBD, compared to the people who received 300 milligrams of CBD. (1)
 
According to another study on mice, CBD showed the same results as antidepressant imipramine. But a further study on humans is required to better assess the effects CBD has on our minds. (1,2)
 
2.    Helps with epilepsy syndrome
 
Two scarce forms of epilepsy are known to be Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. CBD was approved by the Food and Administration Authority in 2018, to be used under the brand name Epidiolex, for treating the seizures that result from these two syndromes. This was approved for patients aged above 2 years.
 
According to research, a group of people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome were examined to assess the effectiveness of Epidiolex. When consumed alongside prescribed medications, Epidiolex was proved to reduce the density of seizures as compared to the placebo. (1–3)
 
 
3.    Treats opioid addiction
 
CBD may as well help in treating people with opioid addiction. According to research, CBD remarkably reduced cue-induced cravings, salivary cortisol levels, resting heart rate, and withdrawal anxiety of heroin users during a week, without any significant adverse effects.  (4)
 
In addition, research also suggests that CBD helps in reducing insomnia, anxiety, and pain in people with opioid addiction. However further research is necessary. (5)
 
4.     Reduce symptoms related to ALS
 
People having ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) experience loss of muscle control due to the deterioration of nerve cells in their brain and spinal cord.
 
When THC, another popular component of Cannabis Sativa, is combined with CBD, it results in the entourage effect. Research in 2019 suggests that people suffering from ALS can benefit from this entourage effect, as they experienced high-ranking satisfaction. (6)
 
5.    Reduce symptoms related to PTSD
 
In a small-scale study conducted in 2018, 11 people having PTSD were tested, and CBD was substantially well-tolerated among the patients. The patients experienced a reduction in their symptoms. (7)
 
Several other studies have also concluded that patients having PTSD can benefit from the entourage effect created when the combined doses of THC and CBD are given to them. (8)
 
6.    Alleviate uncontrollable pain
 
The topical application of CBD on areas subject to chronic pain can help reduce the intensity of pain, without any negative side effects. As topical CBD is directed towards a certain area, it has a more prominent effect. 
 
Several studies have examined the impact of CBD on patients experiencing peripheral neuropathy, as compared to a placebo. According to a study, the group of patients experienced a reduction in chronic pain and itchy sensations after topically applying CBD, compared to the group who were given a placebo.(9)
 
7.    Helps with Diabetic complications
 
High glucose levels can affect several other cells in the body, leading to complications. CBD has been found to reduce the complications related to diabetes, and it helps build up plaque in artery walls. CBD can help control hormones that are linked to insulin. (10)
 
13 diabetic patients with type 2 diabetes were tested to assess the impact of CBD. Patients took both CBD and a placebo, and the research showed that CBD lessened the resistance levels to insulin and increased the hormone that establishes an adequate release of insulin from digested food. 
 
8.    Shield against Neurological disease
 
CBD can protect against neurological diseases and several pathological disorders, as this compound is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Studies have been performed on cerebral ischemia and Huntington’s disease, but these studies did not yield any significant positive results. However, several studies have discussed the benefits of CBD for multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. (11)
(12)
 
Further research is needed to assess the benefits of CBD for neuroprotection.
 
9.    Obstructs symptoms related to Arthritis
 
Arthritis is a disease related to the joints, which results in stiffness, pain, and loss of motion, due to deterioration of tissue in the joint areas. 
 
A 2006 study tested 58 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and according to the results, a CBD-based drug (Sativex) resulted in relieving pain and improved sleep quality in those patients. (13)
 
In another 2018 study, researchers examined osteoarthritis patients by giving them 250 milligrams or 500 milligrams of CBD gel or a placebo. The results of the study were not conclusive. People who were given CBD did not experience any significant reduction in osteoarthritis symptoms when compared to a placebo. Further research is required in this regard. (14)
 
Bottom line, Cannabidiol interacts with the endocannabinoid system in our body and can help deal with several health issues to keep our body in homeostasis. Research has also proved that CBD provides health benefits without any side effects.

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