People have been using and learning about cannabis for thousands of years, but only in the past few decades have we begun understanding its full potential as natural medicine. Hemp and marijuana are the same plants, but THC- and CBD-rich strains of cannabis have very different healing properties. CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating component of the plant that has many therapeutic benefits without causing the psychoactive effects of THC. It’s one of the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis plants, making up to 20% by dry weight. CBD has many potential uses beyond relieving pain or slowing down the progression of diseases like diabetes and cancer. For example:
Use as a dietary supplement to help combat inflammation
CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties are world-renowned, and its ability to do this has led to its use as a medication to treat conditions like Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, even though it’s been used for centuries for these conditions, we only began to understand its full potential as a medication in the 1980s. Researchers are still finding new uses for CBD in the prevention and treatment of conditions like:
Treat anxiety and stress
CBD’s anti-anxiety effects are why you’ll often find it in combination with other medications like:
Aid sleep
CBD’s sedative properties allow it to help with insomnia and other sleep disorders. It’s also been shown to improve the quality of sleep in people with chronic pain and spasms.
Use as a dietary supplement to treat acne
CBD is a proven acne treatment, and as more research is done on its benefits, we’re finding more and more Usage Cases. Roughly 30% of people who take CBD Experience an Acne-Like Effect. This is most likely because acne is caused by the over-production of Hormone-Releasing Genes (HRGs) by our bodies.
Use as a dietary supplement to treat anorexia
Anorexia is a serious eating disorder that can have potentially life-threatening effects on an individual’s health. One study followed 146 people with anorexia and found that those who consumed the most CBD had the lowest rates of body-image disorders and increased life satisfaction. Another study found that individuals with anorexia who consumed the most CBD had reduced anxiety and reported a reduced desire to procrastinate.
Use as a dietary supplement for T3 patients
CBD is a T3 (trans-tetrahydrocannabinol) receptor agonist, meaning it binds to the same receptor in the brain as an opiod (pain reliever) drug like morphine. This means that users of CBD can expect a reduction in their pain and an increase in their mood.
Use as a dietary supplement for depression
CBD’s anti-depressant properties are why it’s often combined with other medications like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-Ammolition) and TCAs (Tetrahydrocannabinoids). It’s been shown that individuals who take high doses of CBD for several weeks show increased levels of serotonin in their brains. This means that they’re less likely to develop depression in the future!
Use as a dietary supplement for anxiety
Anxiety is a common condition which affects nearly one in every 100 people at some point in their life. It’s also one of the most treatable conditions because it’s rooted in the way our brains work. Additionally, CBD has been clinically proven to be effective for treating both Motor and Sensory Anxiety.
Use as a dietary supplement for chronic pain
Chronic pain is a condition which remains undiagnosed in about 50% of cases and is often overlooked by patients. It can be treated successfully with a combination of medications, but if left untreated it can end in:
Use as a dietary supplement for night sweats
Night sweats are uncomfortable and often unwanted. They’re a sign that your body is trying desperately to rid itself of excess heat and toxins. CBD is a natural substance that encourages your body to release natural sleep-inducing hormones like Melatonin. This leads to less daytime sleepiness and fewer night sweats.
Use as a dietary supplement for people with high cholesterol
Cholesterol is a “bad” compound found in our blood and other internal organs. It’s also the cause of heart disease and strokes, so its removal from the body is good. CBD is know to be effective at lowering cholesterol because it’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and can lower “bad” cholesterol.
Use as a dietary supplement for people with fatty liver disease
The liver is a key organ which regulates many important functions like processing drugs, transporting various toxins from the body, and generate energy. In patients with fatty liver disease, liver enzymes increase which can lead to:
Use as a dietary supplement for people with abnormal heart rhythms
People with abnormal heart rhythms are at risk of having a heart attack or stroke. An abnormal heartbeat is called aarrhythmia and may be caused by:
Supplement for people with epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disorder which affects about 1 in every 100 people. It’s a condition in which the brain’s electrical activity is out of sync with the rest of the body. There are many types of epilepsy. Some people have slight variations in their brain Waves which is mostly normal, while others have more frequent waves which can be harmful. Epilepsy Medications usually have side effects like:
Use as a dietary supplement for people with general pain and inflammation
People who are in pain often look for ways to reduce the intensity of their pain. CBD has many potential benefits for this, one of them being its anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the amount of pain receptors in the body which means less pain and better quality sleep.
Use as a dietary supplement for people with various neurological disorders
Neurological disorders are conditions which are inherited or caused by faulty or overactive brain cells (neurodegenerative diseases). CBD has been clinically proven to be useful in the treatment and management of:
Use as a dietary supplement for people with Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder which results in muscle weakness, learning disabilities, and infrequent, unwanted movements. CBD is a known cannabinoid receptor antagonist which may help reduce the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Use as a dietary supplement for people with Tourette’s syndrome
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden, unpredictable, and rapid vocal and non-vocal noises, also known as tics. Tics can be a sign of anxiety or a side effect of medication. CBD is anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmogenic, and helps calm and quiet tics.
Use as a dietary supplement for people with other neurological disorders
People with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (formerly referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease”) can benefit from the anti-oxidative properties of CBD.
Use as a dietary supplement for people who don’t want to take medication
People who don’t want to take medication should consider using CBD as a dietary supplement. There are many cases where it’s either too expensive or hard to get hold of certain medications, like for anxiety or depression. You can, therefore, try using CBD for these conditions as a natural alternative.
Use as a dietary supplement for kids
Children are more likely to consume dietary supplements than adults, making it an ideal time to study the potential benefits of CBD. Kids tend to consume more fruits and vegetables than adults, making them ideal candidates for the consumption of CBD. One study found that kids who consumed the most CBD also consumed the most fruit and vegetables.
Use as a dietary supplement for animals
Cannabis is a useful plant for both humans and animals. The most popular use for CBD in
