CBD Oil is a part of the Hemp Plant. More accurately it is known as Hemp Oil which is extracted from Hemp via C02 extraction methods. CBD and its related cannabinoids are most well known for their main health benefits. In this article we will analyse the top 5 ways Hemp derived CBD benefits the human body and society as a whole.
- Hemp helps the heart
Starting with the most important organ of the body, we will start with Hemp Oil’s effects on the heart. A 2014 study stated that Hemp Oil was rich in healthy fatty acids known as lipids. Specifically the study laid out the lipid profile of Hemp Oil as linoleic (55%), α-linolenic (16%), and oleic (11%) as the most abundant fatty acids present in Hemp Oil.
Fatty acids are essential oils for the body because they help regulate normal blood pressure and support the breakdown of cholesterol in the heart. This is useful because if cholesterol builds up in the heart’s valves, it can cause major heart attacks and issues. Therefore a positive influx of fatty acids like linoleic acid can aid your heart’s health.
Hemp Oil has decent fatty acid content and so it’s ease of use makes for efficient, constant fatty acid supplementation. This is because Hemp Oil/CBD usually come in 10ml vials with a pipette. This allows CBD to be squeezed right into the mouth and ingested into the bloodstream straight away.
- Hemp derived CBD is an anti-inflammatory
In a world where people have increasingly sedentary lifestyles and many countries have an aging population, symptoms of arthritis and joint issues are commonplace. Arthritis symptoms are rooted in enzymes that cause inflammation in response to stressors on our joints, cartilage or immune system. The result is extreme pain and debilitation.
This is due to the oxidative stress that occurs from Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) being over stimulated and over produced in the body, when the body is under stress. ROS agents in the body look to regulate the body’s functions including cell homeostasis (balance) and uptake inflammation receptors. However if there is too much inflammation occurring from ROS it can cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the trigger for long term chronic diseases like arthritis.
Hemp Oil on the other hand is rich in fatty acids that can help soothe these symptoms to give much needed relief for patients. What’s more Hemp derived CBD can also be mixed with Turmeric or other vitamins. Turmeric and CBD mixtures can further block oxidative stress in order to support normal cartilage in the body. This is because Turmeric’s active ingredient called Curumin is a well researched anti inflammatory. This specialist supplement is called Turmeric infused CBD.
- Hemp helps soothe anxiety
Hemp derived CBD has an effect on anxiety symptoms. It does this by working with your endo-cannabinoid system.
Simply put your endo-cannabinoid system contains cannabinoid receptors that bind to external cannabinoids that are ingested. There are two types of cannabinoid receptors in the body. The first are CB1 receptors that help regulate mood and anxiety. Therefore when you cater to this receptor by ingesting Hemp Oil, the cannabinoids in the oil including CBD, CBDa, CBG, CBGa and CBC combine with the CB1 receptors in order to support your mood stabilization.
The other type of receptor is called the CB2 receptor. This one is more concerned with inflammation and immune support, this may be why Hemp is a great anti-inflammatory too.
- Hemp helps the skin
Hemp works with the skin by promoting its health. One study found that CBD could be a support for normal skin conditions by introducing lipids to skin cultures. The effect was unlocking better skin health for those with acne.
For conditions like Psoriasis, cannabinoids in Hemp work with cannabinoid receptors on the skin. One study in 2007 found that epidermal cells (keratinocytes) in excess cause a thickening of the skin (a symptom of Psoriasis). However these are disinhibited by CBD supplementation. This allows the epidermis to remain in constant flux and balance without thickening and becoming dry.
Furthermore the CB2 receptors of the skin that are involved with controlling inflammation when binding to cannabinoids, help soothe the skin. This is especially useful when someone has eczema.
One great way to assure you get the best Hemp Oil supplementation for your skin is by rubbing in a good CBD cream or balm into dry skin areas, instead of ingesting Hemp Oil. There are many variants of these supplements on the internet. They have good reviews as they manage to penetrate the epidermis much more successfully than Hemp Oil that you take orally. This way they get right into the dry areas and can be maneuvered exactly to where the problem lies.
- Hemp curbs cravings
CBD could help those with opioid or nicotine addiction. One study gave people an inhaler of either CBD or a placebo. They were told over a week to use the inhaler as soon as they had cigarette cravings. The results were that those who had the placebo inhaler, continued to smoke the same amount of cigarettes as they had before the study. However those given the CBD inhaler curbed their nicotine intake by 40%, by cutting down dramatically the amount of cigarettes they smoked.
The studies looking at CBD’s effects towards other issues like Heroin addiction are also promising, although not entirely conclusive. It’s been researched that consistent CBD treatment over a period of time will in fact cancel out cravings for the drug. It’s found that as time goes on when CBD dosage increases, the reductions in cravings are estimated to peak at 7 days after the initial CBD serving is taken.
The reason CBD can aid those with addictions is due to the minimal amounts of THC in Hemp that works together with cannabinoids in order to urge your endo-cannabinoid system to work better. It does this by binding to your CB1 receptors to support less addictive anxiety and normal moods.
Future benefits of CBD
As innovation and CBD research continues to improve there are likely to be more benefits of CBD found. Some ongoing research includes the effect of CBD on Alziemher patients who suffer from much anxiety and stress due to their symptoms. Curing epilepsy is another currently researched benefit that when proven could see CBD enter into the medical zone. If this occurs we could see cannabinoid supplementation embraced by pharmaceutical companies, eventually leading to CBD finally being prescribed by doctors for the benefit of those who have this condition. Diabetes is another ailment that’s being tested with CBD. One rudimentary study found that non-obese diabetic mice who were given a dose of CBD per day, had a reduced incidence of diabetes by 56%.
Lastly CBD has been used in bodybuilding circles. The general consensus is that CBD may aid muscle growth and recovery after a heavy gym session. Once again, this is connected to the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD that quicken the way in which muscles grow back stronger and better. However more studies are needed to prove these claims.
In conclusion
Hopefully from reading this article you can better understand the amazing benefits of CBD for complete health and well being. CBD is a growing industry and as more research studies are completed, hopefully CBD will lose its stigma and can be embraced internationally.