Effects of CBD on the health

Last Updated on January 29, 2021 by Maxwell Harris

What is the effect of CBD oil on the health, mind and body? And how does it all work? We want to answer these questions in this article.

What is CBD oil?

The cannabis plant consists of more than 60 different cannabinoids, the two most well-known of which are THC and CBD. While THC is mostly illegal for consumption, due to its euphoric effects and CBD is widely available as ti causes no psychoactive effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) is usually extracted from Cannabis Sativa L and used to make many different CBD products. Therefore, there is still no natural 100% pure CBD.

CBD oil and other CBD products with a THC content of less than 0.2 mg per gram of oil are legal in many European countries, as well as in the United States. Using CBD even when driving, is allowed in most countries, as long no more than 0.005% THC is contained in the product.

CBD and the endocannabinoid system

As mentioned, CBD is a cannabinoid of the cannabis plant. The interesting thing about cannabinoids is that the human body produces them itself.

Our body has its own endocannabinoid system called ECS, which runs through the whole body down to our cells. The ECS was discovered in the 1980s and medical researchers are finding more and more connections between the system, CBD oil and pain relief or the like. However, even before that scientific evidence pointed out the ECS consists of CB1 & CB2 receptors and chemical signalling substances.

This is why all cannabinoids migrate to the next receptors, which are distributed all over the body.

The CB1 receptors are mainly found in the brain and in our central nervous system, these receptors mainly influence and coordinate our movements, pain, appetite, emotions, and mood.

CB2 receptors, however, are mostly found in our cells and in the immune system, these receptors have a special influence on pain and inflammation.

Positive effects of CBD

CBD is mainly used for medicinal purposes because it does not cause intoxication. Cannabidiol works against pain and this can simplify everyday life for many people. People with certain diseases, such as cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and sclerosis, need medication every day.

The compound may also help to alleviate the pain, as it has a muscle-relaxing, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect and can therefore make life easier for sufferers.

CBD may also help with diseases such as ADHD and depression, as it can have a calming or antipsychotic effect. There are a few studies that prove its medicinal qualities to improve some conditions, and the rest is all based on consumer experience.

Related: CBD oil for tinnitus

Effects when taking CBD oil

Thanks to the ECS, the CBD oil has a completely different effect on the body than conventional medication. There are several ways to take the CBD oil, the most common method is oral by dripping the oil under your tongue.

Many people are asking how does it feel to use CBD oil and how long it takes to feel its effects. It is important to note that the effects can take time, therefore it is important to be patient. When using CBD oil, it may be a good idea to experiment with the dosage or the strength of the oil. The CBD effects will be different from person to person. Some people feel the effects of cannabidiol very quickly and may notice better sleep already after their first intake. For others, it might take weeks or longer to notice any changes.

There are several ways of taking CBD

When taken sublingually, CBD typically enters the system in about 20 minutes. It may take up to two hours to enter your system if taken as an edible or capsule. There it can be absorbed particularly well due to the special mucous membranes. It can also be absorbed through the skin, vaped or taken rectally.

For those who do not like the taste of CBD oil, but want to feel the benefits of the compound, can look into vaping CBD. If you vape a CBD e-liquid the effects are usually felt within minutes and give more of an uplifted feeling, but it doesn’t last as long as when using CBD oil, edibles, or capsules.

Read our guide on how to correctly take CBD oil.

CBD analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect

Most people have already taken painkillers that can be bought in pharmacies. These are often helpful against muscle cramps, stiffness, and chronic pain, but just as often they have many side effects.

CBD, on the other hand, is a natural medicine whose effects have been shown to have a special effect on chronic inflammation and pain. That is why it is used by many people suffering from sclerosis or fibromyalgia.

CBD has a positive effect on neurological diseases

CBD may help manage Epilepsy

Through the EC system, CBD also affects our nerves and brain. There are many studies highlighting the calming effect of CBD on epilepsy patients.

Many studies are currently being carried out because CBD oil is to be approved as a medicine. In 2014, a study was conducted to test CBD as a medication for epilepsy. How does CBD oil work in a disease like epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition in which the affected person has a seizure with no apparent cause. If the brain emits too many signals, an epileptic attack is caused. Muscles twitch and in the worst case the whole body tightens and the patient loses control of his entire body.

In 2014, 74 children aged 1-18 years were given CBD oil because the anti-epilepsy medication was unsuccessful. After six months, it was found that 89 percent of children had fewer seizures. Behavior, attention, and motor skills were improved during treatment.

In the other 11 percent, the seizures got worse, which is why the study was stopped.

There have been several medical trials, documenting the effects of CBD on epilepsy. One of these is the Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. You can see a summary of the trial in this video.

It is because of studies and trial like these, that it is now considered that the effects of CBD may indeed help improve this and other health conditions.

The use of CBD oil may help Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is another neurological health condition, which may be improved by the use of CBD oil or other CBD products.

While there are studies looking at the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on Parkinson’s disease, a lot of people have also recorded their own testimonials online. An example of this is the viral video of the retired police officer Larry,

Officer Larry suffered from speech and movement disorders as well as difficulties to relax. His progress, though the use of CBD is recorded in this video: see the result for yourself.

Cannabidiol (CBD) for cancer and chemotherapy

There are several studies on the much-discussed topic of CBD as a treatment in cancer patients. Most of the published results indicate that CBD may have the ability to prevent cancer cells from spreading throughout the body. Among other things, CBD may also trigger cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells, but will not affect healthy cells.

In addition, it may noticeably alleviate severe nausea that many chemotherapy patients suffer from.

CBD may help ease Anxiety

Many people today suffer from anxiety and the consequences of it, many of them also know how to smoke the cannabis Sativa that contains THC, which has the opposite effect of what they hope for. This is due to the euphoric effect of THC. This effect is not found in CBD, which is why the effect of CBD oil can be positive for people suffering from anxiety.

Neurotherapeutics conducted a study that found that CBD oil is a good alternative for people suffering not only from anxiety, but also other mental health conditions such as:

• PTSD
• Panic attacks
• Social fear

CBD may help get rid of acne

CBD oil can be a helpful measure for acne patients, according to a study by the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Since acne is caused by inflammation of the sebum glands and CBD has shown to reduce the production of sebum, it may be a good way to improve the overall health of the skin. To experience the health benefits of CBD for acne or other skin conditions , it should be used in the form of a cream, or oil, which should be applied directly on the skin.

Where to Buy CBD products

CBD oil and CBD products are legal in Europe as long as they contain less than 0.2 %THC. These can be bought online or in the pharmacy. The only requirement is that you have to be 18 years of age. Dozens of online shops offer CBD products. Nevertheless, it must be ensured that these come from a local supplier, since a different legal situation may exist abroad.

When buying CBD oil you should always pay attention to the quality. Good quality indicates a very low THC content because the cannabinoids cannot yet be separated 100%. The higher the price, the better the quality is, which can be important if you want to drive a car despite taking the CBD oil because only the lowest possible proportion of THC ensures that there is no euphoric effect and one example when driving a car.

Side effects of CBD oil

The three best-known side effects are a dry mouth, a thin belly and low blood pressure.

Most consumers of CBD oil respond positively. If side effects occur, they are only very mild. The side effects can be nausea, fatigue, or nervousness. If the oil is taken with medicines, they can have a stronger or weaker effect. The intake should therefore be discussed with a doctor so that the dosage of the medication can be reduced or increased.

No long-term side effects of cannabinoid use have been so far. Nonetheless, the right dose of CBD is still very important.

CBD oil should not be used by children because the brain is still developing. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also not use CBD.

While cannabidiol’s side effects are confirmed, the health benefits of CBD outweigh the negatives.

How do CBD oil and other CBD products work against psychological problems?

Psychological problems such as insomnia, nervousness and everyday stress may also be reduced with the oil. With insomnia, many people use sleeping pills, which is not a long-term solution because the body is quite sluggish the morning after and the body takes a long time to wake up. According to reports from consumers, CBD oil helps to improve the sleep rhythm. You wake up and are relieved of stress and relaxed.

CBD products for pets

Most pets are chordate and actually also have an endocannabinoid system just like humans. Therefore, the can safely process the  CBD compound in CBD oils. You can use these products for nearly all types of pets including cats, dogs, and even horses. CBD can be used to either boost the animal’s immune system and support its overall health, or it can be given a medicine for existing health conditions.

CBD and sports

More and more people are being educated about the CBD, which is why more and more people are discovering its positive effects for themselves and actively using it. Among them are a large number of sportsmen and women.

CBD also helps to reduce the onset of sore muscles, so that the body can regenerate itself better. It is therefore ideal to take before or after training and can be a useful supplement or even replace the pre- and post-workout supplement and help to improve performance.

Due to its influence on the nervous system, it can alleviate the pain associated with it, but not completely eliminate it. This is very important because it prevents the athlete from going beyond his limits and perhaps suffering even worse injuries.

Conclusion

While CBD and its effects are now widely discussed, more medical research is needed to determine whether or on this compound is suitable for everybody. Existing medical research and scientific evidence already point out that due to its health benefits, CBD may help improve a variety of health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure, chronic pain, Multiple Sclerosis and anxiety. Nonetheless, you should always seek medical advice before consuming CBD.

Sources

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• Fine, P. and Rosenfeld, M. (2013). The Endocannabinoid System, Cannabinoids, and Pain. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, 4(4).
• Burstein, S. (2015). Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 23(7), pp.1377-1385
• Milz, Eva, and Franjo Grotenhermen. „Successful therapy of treatment resistant adult ADHD with cannabis: experience from a medical practice with 30 patients.“ Abstract book of the Cannabinoid Conference. 2015.
• Blessing, Esther M., et al. „Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders.“ Neurotherapeutics 12.4 (2015): 825-836
• Sulé-Suso, Josep, et al. „Striking lung cancer response to self-administration of cannabidiol: A case report and literature review.“ SAGE open medical case reports 7 (2019): 2050313X19832160
• Tzadok, Michal, et al. “CBD-enriched medical cannabis for intractable pediatric epilepsy: the current Israeli experience.” Seizure 35 (2016): 41-44.
• Devinsky, Orrin et. al. (2017) “Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome“. New England Journal of Medicine, 376,21 (2011-2020)