We humans have always firmly believed that using illegal drugs such as cocaine or marijuana is immensely detrimental to our health. And it is mostly true. However, science has, over the years, come to certain conclusions that contradict this belief. Research has now proven that using one specific drug is immensely beneficial in fighting numerous health conditions. However, it is not the purest form of the drug. But is an altered form known as Cannabidiol which is derived from the marijuana or cannabis plant.
The Farm Bill, more formally known as the Agriculture Improvement Act, in 2018, legalized the use of Cannabidiol (CBD). However, there were some conditions attached to it. But to understand the limitations, we will first have to know how agriculturists harvest CBD.
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What is CBD, and what are its sources?
Cannabidiol is one out of the several chemical substances present in the marijuana or cannabis plant. These chemical substances are known as cannabinoids, the most prevalent of which in the plant is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This compound has the characteristic of causing a high in the individual who consumes the marijuana drug. It results in psychological alterations and disrupts a person’s state of mind.
In contrast, Cannabidiol is not psychoactive. It does not alter a person’s mental state, making it perfect for medical treatments. It’s present in hemp, which is a cousin plant of marijuana. People commonly refer to both alternatively depending on the proportion of THC the plant contains. And the main difference lies here only. Hemp plants contain way lesser THC than marijuana plants. Under the law, only hemp plants with a THC of less than 0.3% are legal to consume. In some states, even this is not legal. However, it helps as an intervention for those willing to quit addictive habits, but it might not work for everyone.
Similarly, if you are looking to quit smoking but the urge gives you a hard time, you can try using a vape if CBD doesn’t help. It is best to get rid of the habit gradually to avoid sudden withdrawal symptoms. You can easily buy vape online these days, with all the fame these e-cigarettes are getting. Vapes are commonly not 100% nicotine-free; however, they are far better than cigarettes.
Now, let’s see the many benefits of CBD:
Helps In Quitting Smoking and Reducing Drug Withdrawal Symptoms:
In 2013, a pilot study conducted by the Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit in University College of London proved that CBD could effectively assist individuals trying to quit smoking. Several individuals who wished to stop smoking were given a CBD inhaler to substitute the cigarettes. According to the study, smokers showed a whopping 40% decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked. Thus, researchers concluded the usefulness of CBD in fighting nicotine addiction.
Moving forward, in 2015, a review conducted by several authors concluded the findings that CBD could be beneficial to help people fight off opioid addiction as well. Stopping the use of a drug after years of misuse can result in severe withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, pain, insomnia, etc. CBD oil proves to soothe stress and pain; hence, it is an effective treatment for drug withdrawal symptoms.
Helps In Reducing Anxiety and Depression:
People who suffer from anxiety know how crippling it can be. Anxiety disorders can hinder your daily life and mess up your routine. As a result, you get stuck in a vicious cycle of stress and further anxiety, which aggravates by the day. Medical drugs often treat depression and anxiety. However, these can have significant side effects. On the other hand, CBD helps calm the nerves and assists patients with depression and anxiety without any side effects.
Moreover, CBD also helps treat insomnia and sleeplessness due to depression. In a study conducted to find the efficacy of CBD to treat epilepsy, one of the notable impacts on the subjects was drowsiness. It was this ‘aha!’ moment where researchers realized CBD could be helpful with insomnia or sleeplessness.
Helps In Easing Cancer Symptoms:
According to a study conducted in 2012, researchers found out that CBD may also be effective in preventing the spread of certain types of cancerous cells. Even though researchers have mentioned the need to probe this finding further, evidence suggests that this finding may be exceptionally factual. Several other studies suggest that CBD may prove helpful in curbing the growth of cancer cells, better the efficacy of cancer treatments, and reduce anxiety. An article published in 2020 suggested adding CBD to cancer medications to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
Furthermore, patients commonly suffer from side effects of chemotherapy, which is the conventional cancer treatment. These may include nausea, vomiting, and pain. Cannabidiol has also shown signs of relieving these side-effects and easing the cancer treatment for patients. Moreover, patients treated with CBD and THC extracts experienced a dramatic difference in the level of pain post-chemo. All these findings prove that CBD oil has some substantial benefits for individuals who have cancer.
Helps In Improving Heart Health:
Chronic high blood pressure can result in individuals experiencing several heart-related issues, such as the risk of stroke or heart attack. Research indicates that Cannabidiol oil can assist with high blood pressure. The calming properties of CBD, which help with stress and anxiety, also aid in keeping blood pressure at a healthy level. When you maintain healthy blood pressure, you naturally improve the health of your heart and circulatory system.
Helps In Treating Neurological Disease:
CBD is known to affect the brain’s endocannabinoid system, responsible for creating the receptors that manage pain, movement, emotions, memories, and similar other functions. As a result, CBD also has the potential to treat those suffering from certain neurological diseases.
CBD and THC combined medications have shown dramatic improvement in muscle spasms in patients dealing with multiple sclerosis. In a study conducted, 75% out of 276 people experienced a significant drop in muscle spasticity.
In separate research, CBD oil notably reduced seizure activity in children suffering from Dravet syndrome, a childhood epilepsy disorder. Patients who have Parkinson’s disease experienced improved sleep and quality of life after treatment with CBD. These are some proven examples of how CBD is beneficial in helping treat neurological disorders.
Helps In Controlling Acne:
Acne can be painful, literally, and figuratively. Massive breakouts can ruin your skin and tarnish your self-confidence. There are several reasons why breakouts may happen, including underlying inflammation, bacteria, genetics, and the overproduction of sebum. Cannabidiol oil is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and can also help with excess sebum production. Both these benefits of CBD can help treat acne and better the health of your skin.
Conclusion:
Cannabidiol is a chemical substance abundantly found in the marijuana or cannabis plant. It is first extracted and then added with carrier oils to produce the CBD oil. Research has proven the numerous benefits of CBD oil in treating and assisting medical conditions and treatments. Even though marijuana is illegal, CBD under certain limitations is now allowed under the Farm Bill issued in 2018. It can still only be purchased with a prescription and is not an over-the-counter drug. However, if you are facing some of the above issues, you can discuss the use of CBD with your medical doctor. With numerous researches to back the claim, we are optimistic that CBD can be a game-changer in your healing journey.
