# Top 5 Benefits and Uses of CBD

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the many naturally occurring cannabinoids found in cannabis. Many people are familiar with its psychoactive cousin THC and the euphoric effects that it produces. CBD, on the other hand, does not alter the user’s state of mind. The cannabinoid is gaining increasing popularity partly due to the increasing legalization of marijuana across the 50 states, but also because of new research that suggests CBD could be the source of the many mental and physical health benefits associated with cannabis.

According to the World Health Organization, CBD has no potential for abuse and does not cause dependencies with users, making it an attractive alternative to drugs such as benzopyrenes, which have severe withdrawal and dependence issues.

However, due to its recent surge in popularity, companies often issue dubious or unverified claims about what CBD can treat. Recently in 2019, the FDA sent a warning to Curaleaf for incorrectly claiming that their CBD products were definitive treatments for Alzheimer’s and cancer. With so much misinformation around what CBD can or cannot do, it’s is important to only use CBD for purposes that are verified by expert medical studies.

Here are five uses for CBD that are backed by medical research.

## 1. Inflammation and Pain reduction

Marijuana has been used for pain reduction since nearly 5000 years ago; however, due to the psychoactive effects of THC, the drug is unattractive as a pain management tool for anyone that needs to have a clear state of mind for their day-to-day activities. Many are turning instead to CBD, which provides the pain relief associated with marijuana without any of the intoxicating effects.

A recent 2020 review reports that the cannabinoid could be effective for reducing inflammation and thereby reducing the pain associated with those symptoms. CBD directly affects the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps regulate many of the body’s functions such as sleep, appetite, and pain. While THC direct attaches itself to endocannabinoid receptors, CBD does not directly interact with them – instead, the compound interacts with other neurotransmitters and boosts the body’s production of naturally occurring endocannabinoids. One 2018 literature review examined studies on CBD from 1985 to 2018 and concluded that the compound was statistically significant in reducing pain levels.

Several research studies have also shown that CBD, in combination with various ratios of THC, is effective for treating pain related to multiple sclerosis and arthritis. Sativex, an oral spray containing both THC and CBD, has been approved for use in the United Kingdom since 2010 for multiple sclerosis, among other symptoms such as neuropathic pain and an overactive bladder.

## 2. Acne

Acne is a skin condition that affects over 50 million Americans annually. Teenagers are generally the demographic most impacted by acne, but the condition can impact people of all ages. While acne can arise from a variety of factors, one of the most common is when the body’s sebaceous glands produce too much sebum. Sebum can be thought of as your body’s natural oils and overproduction of the substance leads to clogged pores, a common cause of acne.

Recent scientific studies have shown that CBD’s interaction with the ECS prevented the sebaceous glands from sebum overproduction. Combined with its ability to reduce inflammation, another potential well-known cause of acne, topical CBD can be an effective treatment for acne and a prevention method for any future breakouts.

## 3. Anxiety

While THC is known to create or exacerbate anxiety symptoms, CBD oil is frequently used to treat anxiety and PTSD. CBD interacts with the brain’s serotonin receptors, a neurotransmitter that influences both mood and social behavior. By influencing how these receptors receive and respond to different neurotransmitters, CBD not only helps with your mental health by reducing stress and decreasing anxiety but also alleviates physiological symptoms such as excessive sweating or increased heart rate.

During a 2011 anxiety research study, participants received either a CBD pill or sugar pill before taking a public speaking test. Researchers concluded that CBD, especially a 300 mg dose, had a statistically significant impact on reducing anxiety during the test. Dosages of 0mg, 150mg, and 600mg of CBD did not affect anxiety.

While many anti-anxiety medications such as benzophenones have both dependency and withdrawal issues, CBD does not have either of those properties. For example, Alprazolam (or Xanax), a common panic disorder medication, can cause debilitating withdrawal symptoms that may even lead to death. For patients with a history of addiction, CBD can be a gentler alternative for anxiety issues.

While CBD oil has been used to treat anxiety, it is important to find CBD oil that doesn't contain THC. As the psychoactive component of cannabis, THC can often exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and may completely reverse any anti-anxiety effects that CBD may have.

CBD oil has shown promising results in combating panic disorders as well by affecting the limbic system in the brain. The limbic system supports a multitude of functions, one of which is the “fight-or-flight” response. Panic attacks are often the result of the brain incorrectly setting off the response, and CBD’s ability to decrease activity in this brain region could alleviate or minimize the consequences of a panic attack.

## 4. Sleep

Marijuana is widely recognized as an effective agent for putting someone to sleep. However, research has shown that THC inhibits the brain’s ability to enter REM sleep. This means that while marijuana can be effective for getting someone to sleep, the quality and duration of rest is often degraded.

A clinical study featuring 72 people using 300 mg of CBD showed that CBD did not affect the brain’s ability to enter different phases of sleep. Also, 2 out of 3 patients reported that their overall sleep quality increased.

One common cause of insomnia is high levels of cortisol during nighttime.

Cortisol, more commonly known as the stress hormone, is active during the day to promote wakefulness. A recent study found that cortisol levels decreased in participants when given 300-600mg of CBD oil. By decreasing cortisol levels, CBD may work as an effective sedative that does not interfere with sleep quality.

## 5. Brain health

CBD has been called a wonder drug for the brain due to its combination of anti-inflammation and neuroprotective properties. CBD has been studied for its ability to treat neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. In animal studies, the drug’s ability to counter inflammation has shown promising results in treating Alzheimer’s and lowering cognitive decline.

Surprisingly, CBD also has antioxidants that are essential for brain health. Antioxidants in CBD interrupt free radical chain reactions converting them into more passive agents that are harmless. Free radicals are generated in the brain through metabolic processes and can lead to symptoms such as noise sensitivity, brain fog, muscle pain, and general brain aging.

By reducing free radical activity and brain-related inflammation, CBD is an effective all-rounder for brain health. Targeting specific diseases such as multiple sclerosis or epilepsy could also be potential use for CBD, though more research in this area needs to be done before it can be claimed as a certified treatment for humans.

## Is CBD right for you?

While CBD does not have strong side effects or dangerous risks for its users, it’s worth noting that the FDA does not regulate non-prescription use of CBD. This means that individuals must take care to obtain CBD from not only legal suppliers but also ones that create trusted products. Current research has shown CBD may be an effective drug due to its many beneficial properties for both mental (anxiety, sleep) and physical (skincare, brain) health. It’s important to consult your doctor before using CBD — while CBD is generally safe for people to use, only your personal doctor can tell you for certain.