The number of cannabidiol (CBD) users around the world has been increasing year on year throughout the decade. However, because of the limited amount of research and therefore few approved medical uses, it has been a struggle to find out just what people are using CBD for.
However, the most comprehensive survey yet of CBD users, published in 2018 in the peer-reviewed Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research journal, has boosted our understanding of the user base. In an anonymous questionnaire, more than 60 percent of respondents said they were taking CBD for medical reasons, while the rest (38.4 percent) said they were doing so to enhance their general health and well-being.
This, then, is a clear indication that you don’t need to be ill to benefit from CBD. The non-psychoactive substance from cannabis and hemp has a myriad of potential therapeutic uses, which come through optimizing the endocannabinoid system (ECS). These will be the focus of this article.
Reduce sensitivity to pain
The evidence is mounting that a CBD supplement can help to alleviate pain, and that doesn’t just apply to treating diagnosed pain conditions, but anything that is causing discomfort. The reasons why we experience pain are complex, but studies have shown that the ECS can regulate our perception of pain through the CB1 receptor. This receptor is involved heavily with our psychological health, and it is therefore unsurprising that is well-expressed in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
Anandamide is an essential endocannabinoid that acts as a naturally produced analgesic, reducing pain sensitivity by binding to the CB1 receptor. The role of a CBD supplement is to make more anandamide active in the body by blocking reuptake at the FAAH enzyme.
The same pain-easing anandamide effect can be sampled during the “runner’s high”, an event that causes a surge in the chemical following a lengthy period of exercise.
Manage stress levels
High stress levels prevent us from relaxing and staying calm in the short term and can be the root cause of many long-term illnesses. Whatever is causing the stress, it’s essential to recognize that adjusting your body’s hormonal balance, specifically cortisol, can help bring it under control.
The blocking effect of CBD on cortisol was first identified in the 1990s, and numerous products are available to help. E-liquids and vape juices are suitable for quick relief, but for longer-lasting results that kick in gradually, you may find HempBombs CBD supplement capsules more beneficial.
Balance the immune system and reduce inflammation
Many of us suffer from faulty immune systems that make us more prone to illness, either due to weakness that allows viruses to thrive more easily, or because of overactivity, which causes excessive inflammation —essentially, the body committing self-sabotage.
However, CBD – and, for that matter, other cannabinoids – have demonstrated immense promise as immune system regulators. The CB2 receptor is at the center of this process, and it is found on white blood cells and immune tissues. CBD’s activation of this receptor is indirect, via anandamide, but it appears to have a potent immunomodulatory effect that strengthens the immune system.
Enjoy a naturally improved mood
When we feel low, we sometimes reach for alcohol or other unhealthy habits to feel better. An occasional indulgence is one thing. But relying on harmful or addictive crutches is risky.
In contrast, the World Health Organization reports that CBD has no potential for abuse. It’s non-addictive and has few side effects. A high dose might make you drowsy, but that’s usually all. The real benefit is a natural mood boost from extra anandamide—a feeling you can safely enjoy each day.
Control fear, anxiety, and worries
If you feel overly fearful about life or are regularly consumed with burdensome worry, then you probably aren’t reaching your full potential. This can make life more of a battle than it needs be and could even lead to depression in the long run. The good news is that CBD can help you manage these uncomfortable, stifling emotions.
By facilitating a spike in the anti-anxiety neurotransmitter GABA, CBD is effectively able to dissolve negative emotions on demand. Green Roads CBD tincture oils are great for producing this effect within a few minutes of consumption.