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Benefits of CBD Oil

The benefits of CBD oil have been brought to the forefront of the medical world, and are reshaping the way we look at modern medicine.

By Aunt MaryPublished 7 years ago Updated 2 years ago 7 min read
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Until recently, the study of the positive effects of marijuana has been relatively overlooked, as have the benefits of cannabidiol, or CBD oil, a non-psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Besides the still-evident stigmatization of cannabis, specific government legislation and funding constraints have made it all the more difficult for scientists to focus on CBD research.

It is only more recently that the medical field has started to realize the potential for cannabinoids to cure diseases, relieve mental disorders, and slow the progression of tumors. There is no doubt that the benefits of CBD oil will become more apparent as more medical professionals realize its immense potential and thus put pressure on the scientific community to develop the application of CBD in the health field.

Seize the Cure

For years researchers have been trying to find a way to decrease or eliminate the convulsions that so often occur during an epileptic seizure. While there are medications currently on the market to help control these convulsive episodes, there is no definitive cure, and often the medications that are prescribed have side-effects that make them less than desirable to take. Patients will often supplement their treatment with various diet plans and electrical therapies that are similarly aimed at preventing convulsions but like the medication, these efforts are not always successful.

More recently, the medical community has turned to CBD oil in the hopes of ending epileptic seizures. It has been shown that cannabidiol can work to reduce epileptic episodes by working with the endocannabinoid system that is found naturally in the body. These studies are still very much in their infancy, but doctors and patients alike are optimistic about the outcome and hopeful for the health benefits that CBD may well offer.

CBD's potential extends to other pockets of the medical world, too. Inflammation afflicts millions of people worldwide and is a symptom associated with many diseases such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus and can result as well from stress and other environmental circumstances. Despite the assortment of different medications available to reduce the adverse effects of inflammation, the issue persists; CBD oil has given renewed hope for a cure, though, as the scientific community increasingly studies its chemical mechanisms. So far, research has indicated that CBD oil works by reducing the number of certain proteins in the body, such as c-proteins, which are believed to be significant factors in inflammation. In addition, cannabidiol has analgesic properties that help reduce pain, which usually comes in conjunction with inflammation. While studies are still being conducted to substantiate these claims, at this point few doubt the potential that CBD oil has in fighting inflammation; even more heartening is that the potential benefits of CBD extend to the brain as much as it does the body.

Medically Mellow

Anxiety is something that affects us all at one time or another. It can be caused by acute stress, nervousness, and of course, by chemical imbalances in the brain; actually, hundreds of millions of people worldwide suffer from a range of chemically-based mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorders. There are a plethora of pharmaceuticals well known to decrease the level of anxiety that one feels, but these medications often have side effects and addictive properties that make them less than desirable as a means of a long-term cure.

While anxiety can actually be associated with the use of marijuana, this effect is in fact linked to the THC concentration, not cannabidiol. In fact, CBD oil has properties that help relieve anxiety by triggering the release of natural chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin; both of which are critical components in emotional stability and wellbeing. While prescription medications operate on serotonin and dopamine pathways in a process similar to cannabidol's, the former requires artificial substances to achieve this effect, and many feel that a more natural cure is imperative. Furthermore, the benefits of CBD oil have been noted for acting as a partial agonist, meaning that is binds to the receptors in the brain, promoting the release of anxiety-relieving chemicals.

What Goes Down Mustn't Come Up

Unlike some of the other medicinal properties of CBD oil that have yet to yield conclusive results, the benefits of CBD oil in relieving nausea is well documented. Of course, nausea and vomiting are a natural response by the body to eliminate substances that it deems harmful, and this can be beneficial at times. However, there are many medications and treatments that are necessary in curing diseases which also cause the body to react by trying to rid itself of these substances. It can be problematic when a patient cannot keep their medication down, or if they must suffer the side effect of vomiting, so medical practitioners are now looking toward CBD oil as a way of reducing symptoms of nausea. CBD oil works in tandem with the body's endocannabinoid system, which in turn decreases the likelihood of nausea and vomiting. This decrease in nausea can be especially important during cancer treatments, where the adverse effects of strong medications and chemotherapy can often cause the patient severe discomfort.

Aside from its nausea-prevention properties, CBD oil is quickly becoming a major player in the world of cancer research for other purposes. In fact, CBD oil is now being researched as a means of controlling certain types of cancers, with much of this attention focused on its ability to slow tumor growth. By slowing the growth of tumors, CBD oil will allow doctors and patients more time to determine the proper treatment, thus affording medications more time to work on the body and be more effective. In addition, cannabidiol has also been shown to kill certain types of cancer cells, which could play a critical role in the future of cancer treatments. With CBD research still in the early stages, and with significant progress already being made, there is no doubt that the benefits of CBD oil in the cure for cancer will continue to be a priority amongst researchers.

Hungrier and Healthier

It is well known that marijuana and CBD oil can increase one's appetite. What is not as often discussed are the various ways that this mechanism can aid the medical field. When patients are afflicted with certain diseases, such as cancer, they are subjected to treatments that increase nausea and, therefore, decrease the one's desire for food intake. In addition to helping to curb nausea, CBD oil also helps patients redevelop their appetite when going through various treatments, which can be critical for their replenishing of proper nutrients. Another area where appetite increase is very important concerns eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia. These eating disorders make it difficult for the afflicted to consume enough food to get the proper amount of nutrients, and thus a means of increasing appetite is needed during treatment. One of the major benefits of CBD oil is the fact that it can help these patients reestablish a more regular eating schedule, and in the end, eventually help them overcome the disorder.

With all of these positive aspects, it is no surprise that the medical community is beginning to realize the benefits of CBD oil. There is no doubt that cannabidiol research will continue and new medical findings are imminent. CBD oil has already been shown to help in many treatment scenarios, such as by killing active cancer cells and slowing tumor growth, increasing appetite for those on medications that cause nausea, and by maximizing dopamine and serotonin in the brain to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, the benefits of CBD oil are finding their way to those afflicted with inflammation caused by arthritis and multiple sclerosis, and is becoming more recognized as a way to better control epileptic seizures and the accompanying convulsion. With all of the positive qualities and benefits of CBD oil, it is well on its way to becoming the next wonder drug.

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About the Creator

Aunt Mary

Lives in Englewood, NJ, and can often be found sharing her weed wisdom at Starbucks.

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