With 29 states now legalizing medical marijuana, a host of new products have emerged that many feel can help people with a variety of conditions.
Many of them contain only cannabidiol, one of the active chemicals found in cannabis.
Most media stories on tests involving marijuana involve bigger issues, such as treating Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy. But what about less serious ailments or conditions, the type more people are likely to experience?
CBD Improves Life
While research on the following topics is far from complete, these are a few of the areas that CBD might have some uses for you. At the very least, if you live in an area where medical marijuana is legal, it is worth trying.
Keep in mind that CBD is this non-psychoactive chemical in marijuana – in another words, it’s not the chemical that gives you a “high” feeling. CBD is available in a very wide array of products, including oils, tinctures, lotions and even in pills.
In a study at the University College London, researchers gave those addicted to cigarettes vaporizers. Some contained a placebo. The others contained CBD. Trial participants were encouraged to use the vaporizer every time they had the urge to smoke. Those with the placebo showed no reduction in the amount of cigarettes they smoked. Those with CBD dropped their cigarette use by 40 percent.
In a study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers who applied CBD on trial participant’s acne found that it “behaves as a highly effective sebostatic agent,” meaning it lessened the body’s production of acne.
In a number of studies on various conditions that cause inflammation, the National Institutes of Health reported that CBD represents a “novel window of opportunity to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.” They report that research shows it can prove effective in fighting inflammation and that more study is warranted on the mechanisms within CBD that have anti-inflammatory properties.
Somnolence is essentially the tendency to get very tired during the day because you failed to get a good night’s sleep. A study back in 2006 on lab animals found that doses of CBD actually lead to more alertness, and could possibly be used by those who suffer from somnolence. Additionally, staying awake throughout the day could help with another problem – insomnia. By taking it to stay alert during the day, you may have a better chance for a good night’s sleep.
CBD already is used to treat those with multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia because of the pain caused by those conditions. However, it’s possible that its properties can help with less serious conditions. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that the compound helped reduce pain in lab animals. With as many as 20 percent of Americans reporting they experience pain on a regular basis, expect the potential for CBD to be explored. Studies published by the NIH have already shown it helps manage “difficult to treat” pain.
These are just a few of the ways CBD can potentially help those with ongoing, but not life-threatening conditions. As legalization spreads and researchers have more time to experiment, expect even more uses for it to emerge.