Health Benefits and Risks of CBD | What We Know Today
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a famous oil and medication in the United States. Though it is from a marijuana plant, it doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This element is responsible for making people high when they intake marijuana.
That’s why a lot of people consider it safe. A Forbes Health Survey shows over 60 percent of US adults use a CBD product for treating different diseases and mental issues.
Different stats told us that the CBD market has increased to 18 billion in 2022. And, experts are confident that it will almost triple in the next 10 years.
These impressive facts tell us that CBD is highly famous. But, for what reasons is it famous? Are there any drawbacks to this medication? Let’s see the answers in this article.
Health Benefits of CBD
People extract CBD oil from cannabis plants and dilute it with either hemp seed oil or coconut oil. You can find this oil in the market or can find oil-based capsules.
Moreover, they are available in lollipops, gums, bath soaks, lotions, drinks, vaporizers, tinctures, and various food items or beauty products.
It means this oil has various health benefits. Some famous ones are:
1. Epilepsy
In 2018, the FDA approved CBD as an effective oil to treat childhood epilepsy. They noticed that the use of this oil has reduced the amount of seizures in children. These include the cruelest childhood epilepsy that are Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome
Researchers noticed that the symptoms have decreased to 50 to 70 percent in children. In some cases, they become minimal to zero.
2. Relieve Pain
Since 2900 BC, Cannabis has been a part of Chinese medicine to relieve different types of pain. Different researchers believe that CBD is the major reason for relieving pain.
This includes arthritis, acute pain, inflammation, and rheumatic diseases. In 2020, a study found that CBD oil is extremely beneficial in reducing sharp pain in peripheral neuropathy patients.
But, only oil is beneficial in this regard. The oral medicine doesn’t provide satisfactory results.
3. Mental Health Disorders
Various studies have shown that CBD is crucial in dealing with various mental health disorders. There are a variety of disorders that this oil can treat.
These are depression and anxiety. It can treat panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. It can also deal with psychosis.
It also has proved that CBD oil is beneficial in dealing with different mood disorders and nightmares in adults.
4. Insomnia
Different research and trials have shown that CBD oil is beneficial in treating insomnia. The people only take one dose and remain asleep throughout the night.
5. Cancer Related Symptoms
A 2022 research shows that CBD can be beneficial in treating cancer-treatment related symptoms. These include nausea, vomiting, and pain. But, further research is needed in this regard.
6. Treat High Blood Pressure
The researchers believe that CBD is beneficial in treating high blood pressure. This links to good heart health because high blood pressure is linked to metabolic syndrome, heart attack, and stroke.
In 2020, a clinical trial proved that CBD helps in improving blood pressure and heart health. But, further research is still needed in this regard.
7. Addiction
CBD may also be helpful in decreasing the addiction to heroin and cannabis. The trial of humans proves this.
Moreover, a trial on animals proves that it is also beneficial in dealing with alcohol addiction. But, further research is still needed in this regard.
So, these are a few health benefits of CBD. However, a lot of clinical trials also have shown various side effects of this medication.
Side Effects of CBD
The researchers are still going on CBD to know whether it is safe to use it or not. In this regard, researchers have found various negative impacts of this oil too.
1. Impact Liver
During different trials, the FDA found that CBD is responsible for damaging your liver in various ways. The blood work has shown that there are early liver problems in those people who use CBD.
But, you can avoid this situation by taking this medicine only under the supervision of doctors.
2. Fertility Damage
Research on animals has shown that cannabis reduces male sperm to a large extent. So, they can badly impact the male fertility.
But still, a lot of research is needed in this regard.
3. Interaction with Other Medicines
If you are taking other doses with CBD, there are chances that they both will interact and cause different side effects in your body.
So, it is important to discuss this issue with a professional who will suggest appropriate doses of CBD.
4. Other Possible Issues
There are various other possible health issues related to the consumption of CBD. Some of these are:
- Fatigue
- Pneumonia in children
- Drowsiness
- Reduced Appetite
- Dry Mouth
- Diarrhea
These issues mostly happen when you are taking blood thinners with CBD.
Conclusion
CBD has a few health benefits along with some side effects. Research is still going on and experts are trying to find out possible health benefits or issues related to this medication.
That’s why, it is suggested to take this medicine’s dose with the approval of the doctor. They will suggest you a minimal and safe dose amount that will keep you healthy.
