Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is one of the more than 100 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa. It has been used by millions of people as a natural remedy for different physical and mental ailments. CBD comes in many edible forms, like gummies, tinctures, and so on.

 

CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like hemp seed or olive oil. When we talk about CBD, we’re not referring to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive component in cannabis that causes the sensation of “being high.” CBD is not psychoactive. Edible Calm CBD products contain zero THC, or in the case of full-spectrum CBD, less than 0.3%, which is not enough to get a person “high.”

 

Although it might seem that CBD is a “new” phenomenon, people have used cannabis for millennia. One reason why CBD is now gaining momentum all over the world is that it offers an alternative to treatment of conditions like pain and anxiety. Anyone who has taken opioids like hydrocodone (e.g. Norco) for pain knows how groggy and “loopy,” so many people have been in search of a remedy that can provide relief without those uncomfortable side effects.

 

Although there’s lots of room for more studies on the benefits of cannabis, there is evidence that CBD is successful in alleviating certain bothersome conditions.

 

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✓ Pain relief

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This is the “biggie,” because although pain is important protection in some instances, chronic, nagging pain can cause a person to be immobilized and depressed. Marijuana has been used for pain as far back as 2900 B.C.. The human body has a special system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which consists of the cannabinoids made by your own body; the cannabinoid receptors; and the enzymes that break down the cannabinoids once they’ve performed their function. Research shows that the ECS assists in regulation of chronic pain and immune function, so CBD might relieve pain and inflammation by influencing the endocannabinoid receptor activity. Studies have shown that:

• CBD significantly relieved sciatic nerve pain and inflammation.

• A CBD-THC combination was effective in reducing pain due to multiple sclerosis.

• A cannabis-based medication eased pain in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

 

✓ Anxiety and depression

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• A study showed that a 600 mg dose of CBD reduced public-speaking anxiety.

• CBD safely helped children suffering from insomnia and anxiety due to PTSD.

• In animal studies, CBD had antidepressant-like effects.

 

✓ Reduction of cancer-related symptoms

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• Nausea is a common attendant to chemotherapy for cancer, and there’s evidence that CBD can help alleviate this.

• CBD might help reduce the spread of aggressive breast cancer cells by killing those cells. But more studies are needed in this area.

 

✓ Cardiovascular health

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Research reveals a potential benefit of CBD on high blood pressure.

 

✓ Neuroprotection

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• In children with seizures (or epilepsy) from a particular illness called Dravet syndrome, which is often resistant to conventional therapy, CBD reduced the frequency of seizures.

• In Parkinson’s Disease sufferers, CBD improved Rapid-Eye-Movement (REM) sleep.

 

It’s always important to realize that all the referenced studies doesn’t define how a particular individual will respond to CBD. Just because something hasn’t been tried doesn’t mean you can’t try it.

 

Side Effects of CBD

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Although infrequent, diarrhea, fatigue, and changes in appetite have been reported. Again, just like conventional medications, just because side effects are reported doesn’t mean you will experience them.