Whilst CBD was first isolated (and discovered) in 1940, it's been the psychoactive constituent THC that has garnered all of the attention until 2010. Now that the stories of the benefits of CBD are becoming better known, research is working on backing these widely held beliefs with facts.
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CBD benefits, fact or fiction? – Clinical trials reveal the truth for UK consumers
In 2010, the story of a little girl from Colorado and her struggle with a debilitating form of epilepsy started to make waves. She would so learn all about the CBD oil benefits. After trying every possible medical solution to provide some relief to their daughter, Charlotte Figi's parents tentatively turned to the little known CBD oil for some solace for their daughter.
Within hours Charlotte's epileptic seizures had stopped for many this shows the benefits of CBD oil; her parents knew their prayers had been answered. And in the years since little Charlotte Figi's well-publicized recovery, doctors and labs around the world have taken up the mantel and have been investigating the benefits of Cannabidiol oil.
In recent years, attention around CBD oil has sky-rocketed, with the European market set to expand over 400% by 2023. CBD is being hailed as the next cure-all supplement for every ailment under the sun, taking up where coconut oil left off.
Cannabidiol – an explanation
Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid, one of 113 actually, that makes up the cannabis plant. To become CBD, it has to be isolated from all the other cannabinoids. It also has to be separated from the THC in the plant, which is an essential part. THC is the part of the cannabis plant responsible for that “high” feeling you get when you take cannabis.
So without THC, that means that taking CBD oil will not result in you getting high. But what CBD benefits are proven in the lab, and are there any concerns surrounding it?
The claimed benefits of CBD oil
Social media has a lot to answer for when spreading false information. Some overzealous users and immoral companies are responsible for claims that haven't been proven.
Whilst some of the claims aren't out of the realm of possibility, others need further study. But it is irresponsible to provide false hope to those who are suffering. We are going to focus on the benefits that have been clinically proven.
Lab-tested CBD oil benefits list
There is a growing list of benefits of CBD oil that have been tested in labs around the world. The more testing that is done the more we know about the exact benefits the cannabidiol has. We have chosen some benefits of CBD that people talk about the most.
They are :
- Reducing Anxiety
- Improving Cardiovascular Health
- Reduce Inflammation
- Alleviating Acne
- Treating Epilepsy
- Improving Sleep
These are the most common illnesses that people take CBD oil for. Thankfully there are many new studies that show that CBD oil health benefits are great for people suffering from these illnesses.
CBD for Acne
Considering the research around cannabidiol’s anti-inflammatory properties, it’s no wonder that CBD has also been explored as a possible treatment for reducing acne.
A 2014 test-tube study of how cannabinoids function on the skin found that CBD oil prevented sebaceous gland cells from producing excess sebum, while also reducing the inflammation associated with acne flare-ups to prevent break-outs. The same study also showed that other cannabinoids like CBG and CBGV could be particularly helpful for the dry-skin syndrome.
Cannabidiol’s acne-fighting abilities were also found in a separate 2014 study, which showed that CBD could alter the behaviour of acne-causing elements like testosterone in sebaceous gland cells, which resulted in reduced sebum production.
CBD for Anxiety
One of the most common benefits associated with CBD oil is its ability to reduce stress and promote an overall sense of mental well being, and there is a compelling bank of research to prove this.
A study in 2011 found that CBD significantly reduced performance anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder, while a 2019 clinical trial on anxiety and insomnia showed that CBD effectively reduced anxiety among male and female subjects.
So how exactly does CBD alleviate stress?
This question was the subject of another 2011 study, which showed that CBD effectively reduced anxiety by increasing cerebral blood flow. Increased cerebral blood flow is also associated with improved cognitive function, elevated mood and more efficient brain function overall.
Research also shows that CBD can help to improve more volatile forms of anxiety such as panic disorder – an acute anxiety condition that affects an estimated 385 million people around the world, around 5% of the global population.
CBD for Arthritis
Inflammation in the joints is where the majority of the pain from arthritis. If you take CBD regularly then the oil will help in reducing the arthritic inflammation and cannabis oil can also help to relieve pain. This is by communicating with the CB1 receptor and the CB2 receptor.
There are obviously so many things that CBD oil could potentially help you with though many of them will need a whole lot more research before it is 100% confirmed that they work for sure. As well as the many benefits of CBD people are extremely eager to know what are all the best ways in which you consume CBD?
CBD for Cancer-related symptoms
There have been numerous cancer patients who have told of the wonder of using CBD oil. CBD oil has been said to be a very useful complementary assistant with many of the side effects that come with chemotherapy. This includes nausea and the pain that is caused by many cancer treatments.
CBD for Cardiovascular health
One of the CBD oil benefits that research has shown is that can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health, and on blood pressure in particular. A 2017 study on CBD and hypertension showed that a single dose of CBD was enough to significantly reduce blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals.
Before participating in various mental and physical stress tests to measure blood pressure, volunteers in the study were given either a placebo or a single 600mg dose of CBD. Results showed that volunteers who had taken CBD had significantly lower resting blood pressure after stress tests than volunteers who had taken a placebo.
High blood pressure is one of the most common health complaints affecting the population and is particularly widespread among elderly people. High blood pressure increases your risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack, and can also lead to more severe health complications like kidney failure and dementia.
CBD for Depression
One of the most closely studied benefits of CBD is that it may help with a persons depression. It seems to reduce cognitive impairment and anxiety associated with depression. Though researchers are still unsure whether CBD can target the root causes of depression rather than just the typical symptoms.
Low serotonin levels are commonly associated with depression. Unfortunately, CBD doesn't directly boost serotonin levels. However, CBD may have an effect on how your brains receptors interact with your current serotonin levels. Studies completed on animals have shown that CBD's effect on these receptors led to the brain producing anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects. Studies have also shown that CBD has anti-stress properties. This can lead to a reduction of depression caused by stress.
CBD for Epilepsy
Research shows that CBD oil can be an effective treatment for epilepsy thanks to its anticonvulsant properties, which can reduce the frequency of drug-resistant seizures.
In fact, an epilepsy drug became the first CBD-based treatment authorized by the FDA for use in the United States. Epidiolex, which was developed by UK company GW Pharmaceuticals, is used for the treatment of a severe form of childhood epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. Having a moment or not it is always important to separate fact from fiction. The Extract exists to do just that and we will continue to update you as new CBD research into epilepsy is carried out.
CBD for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition that is characterized by chronic pain. Many studies have suggested that CBD can help relieve pain and inflammation.
Some studies believe that pain relief is due to how CBD affects the brain. It is believed that it can interrupt pain messages from the brain to other parts of the body.
It can do so by attaching to specialized receptors in the brain. One of these receptors is known as a CB2 receptor. This receptor is responsible for managing pain and inflammation in the body. Therefore, it is believed that CBD can positively affect these receptors to help reduce pain for conditions such as Fibromyalgia.
CBD for Improving sleep
Some people have previously said that CBD oil is a great sleep aid. CBD is known to address the root causes of anxiety, depression and chronic pain. All of those illnesses can lead a person to suffer from insomnia.
Therefore if you're not having a good nights sleep then maybe CBD could be for you.
CBD for Inflammation
Research around the potential use of cannabinoids as an anti-inflammatory drug to reduce pain shows that CBD could be an effective treatment for reducing inflammation.
This is because inflammation in the body is controlled by the immune system, which is in turn largely controlled by the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
Inflammation occurs when the immune system tries to heal an injured area of the body. It does so by increasing blood flow to the area and leaking fluid into the tissues, which causes swelling. However, chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of more serious health issues including heart disease and stroke, as well as tumour growth.
Research shows that CBD works by binding with CB2 receptors to suppress the immune system’s inflammatory response, which in turn reduces chronic inflammation.
CBD for Migraine
Just like many areas, studies on the effects of CBD for migraines is limited. Combined studies of CBD and THC have shown positive benefits for treating migraines. Some of these studies have shown that a combined high dosage can reduce the frequency of migraines. It also showed to reduce the pain associated with migraines but not in all cases.
CBD for Nausea
New research studies suggest that CBD oil can be beneficial in treating nausea and related symptoms such as vomiting. Much of the research on nausea centres around cancer as nausea is a major regular symptom in cancer patients. This is often due to the side effects of chemotherapy.
Studies have shown that people with nausea due to chemotherapy have found relief from nausea by taking CBD products. The positive effects have also been noted by The American Cancer Society. They recommend cannabinoids as a treatment for nausea caused by chemotherapy.
CBD for Pain
An Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a cell-signalling system in your body. Some researchers believe that CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid receptors in your brain and immune system. These receptors receive messages from different stimuli and tell the cells to respond accordingly. The common response is the release of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. This means CBD oil can benefit those with chronic pain.
CBD for Periods
Periods can cause a lot of pain for women. This pain is caused by contractions within the womb during menstruation. The theory is that CBD can help alleviate the pain caused by the contracting of the womb during mensuration. CBD's anti-inflammatory benefits also come into play as inflammation is also a cause of period pain.
There are no substantial studies conducted on the effects of CBD for period pain. However, there are many studies proving its ability to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by many chronic diseases. Some reports have shown that people who took high daily dosages of CBD experienced less pain in relation to menstruation.
CBD for Sex
CBD has benefits for various parts of our lives. Can CBD benefit our Sex lives? It can play a role in erectile dysfunction (ED), lubrication and libido.
The exact way that CBD improves erectile dysfunction is not fully understood. Some research suggests it can help relax the blood vessels and promote blood flow. Better blood flow can improve ED and promote long-lasting sex.
CBD can have a positive effect on your libido or sex drive. Anxiety is closely linked to a low sex drive and CBD is known to have benefits for dealing with anxiety. By reducing your anxiety, you could increase your sex drive.
CBD for Weight Loss
Cannabis products are commonly associated with making people feel hungrier than usual. But not all products that are derived from cannabis do this. The compound THC is responsible for the increased appetite however CBD does not create an increase in appetite. CBD does the opposite; it reduces your appetite.
Many studies show that THC increases appetite by activating the CB1 receptors. These receptors stimulate the appetite. Meanwhile, CBD can influence other molecules within the body. It can use these other molecules to block off the CB1 receptors. This will lead to a decrease in appetite and prevent overeating which can lead to weight loss.
Research suggests that CBD can also assist weight loss by turning bad fat into good fat. The two main types of fat are white fat and brown fat. White fat is responsible for storing energy and cushioning organs and are responsible for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Brown fat is responsible for producing heat by burning calories. It has been claimed that CBD can turn white fat cells into brown fat cells. Meaning CBD oil can assist in calorie burning and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Best Ways to take CBD
Being able to consume CBD in many different ways is one of the reasons that CBD has exploded in popularity. You will have to do your research and figure out which one suits you the most.
Different Forms of CBD
- Tinctures
- Vaping
- Smoking
- Capsules
- Patches
- Edibles
Tinctures
Tinctures are by far the most popular way to consume CBD. The CBD oil is put into a small bottle and a dropper is attached to the lid to make it easier to take the CBD. The best UK CBD tinctures are listed by TheExtract.
Vaping
Vaping has exploded into the mainstream. Therefore vaping CBD oil is so popular should come as a surprise to no one. Vaping CBD oil allows the cannabidiol to enter the bloodstream extremely quickly.
Smoking
There are many CBD flowers and CBD cigarettes out there if you want to go down that route. This is probably one of the most uncommon ways to consume CBD. This is because usually, people are trying to replace their tobacco consumption with CBD oil. However, this method is not advisable as smoking is known to harm your lungs and your heart.
Capsules
Capsules are probably the safest and easiest ways to take CBD oil. The capsules come pre-dosed so you know exactly how much you are consuming at all times. It is also slow at entering the bloodstream just like the edibles.
Canndid Candies - CBD Capsules
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- CBD potency: 500 mg per bottle
- COA: Available
CBD Capsules are perfect for those of us out there looking to try incorporate CBD into our fast paced and moving lifestyle. CBD Village is our trusted source of selling all Canndid CBD range.
Canndid is a company that prides themselves on creating some of the best quality CBD products which are made from organic hemp.
Is CBD oil legal in the UK?
CBD oil is now legal in the UK so long as the amount of THC in the product doesn't exceed 0.2%. This means that most of the CBD products in the UK are made from hemp. Therefore, it already has a naturally low THC content. So don't worry about buying CBD in the United Kingdom you can get it in many shops now. So now everyone can enjoy the CBD oil UK benefits that everyone has been raving about for so long.
Conclusion
There are many different studies being produced that show just how many benefits there are to taking CBD oil regularly. The more research that is completed the clearer picture we will have when it comes to just exactly how much CBD oil can benefit your health and your life.
When you first start taking CBD oil you should also contact a doctor to make sure that you are taking the correct dosage. So there you are, some of the most common illnesses that CBD oil can help you with. While there obviously needs to be more research done the future looks good for those who use CBD. Let us know any benefits that you have seen or heard of when it comes to CBD treatments.
