3 Surprising Health Benefits of CBD You Might Not Have Been Aware of

Introduction

Cannabidiol, or CBD, the substance found in the cannabis plant, has always been popular. People have been consuming it in various forms throughout much of human history. Some estimate cannabis use dates back as far back as 5000 BC, and there’s a good reason for this.

It isn’t just an intoxicant, as popular media would have you believe. Despite its historical use, its medicinal properties are only now being taken seriously by modern society.

The truth is, that some of the health benefits are so helpful, that it would be foolish to ignore CBD for its healing powers.

Let’s look at three examples below.

1. To Lower Cravings of Other Addictions

This one surprises a lot of people. There’s a lot of unfounded fear about the dangers of getting addicted to CBD. As Verywell Mind states, marijuana can lead to dependence, but cannabidiol is not addictive.

They go on to note that there is evidence that suggests that CBD can help treat addictions to hard drugs like cocaine, opioids, methamphetamine, and tobacco. CBD has this ability as it is believed to reduce the brain’s reward response to substance abuse.

People often confuse CBD with marijuana, and it gets lumped in with a substance that can induce dependence. Thus, it comes as a surprise to many when they hear that CBD actually helps treat addictions!

The fact that CBD can be consumed in so many convenient ways also helps a lot. Sometimes, the mere sight of pills and drugs can trigger a relapse among addicts. In such cases, CBD drinks are a great option to not trigger people trying to get sober.

Of course, you want to watch your dosage. As Drink Delta states, CBD is still a complex compound, and its effects will vary from person to person. It’s best to start low and go slow.

2. CBD Helps in the Treatment of PTSD

The benefits of CBD also extend to the treatment of individuals who suffer from PTSD. Post-traumatic stress can induce a wide range of symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, and flashbacks. These symptoms can be severe enough that they interfere and make daily life extremely difficult.

Well, it turns out that CBD can help in the treatment of PTSD symptoms. Is there anything this substance can’t do? A recently updated article published on MedicalNewsToday draws attention to studies that found that CBD causes the hippocampus to grow, which reduces the hyperactivity of the amygdala.

Similarly, some research suggests that CBD taken immediately after a traumatic event can make it tougher for your brain to create memories that may later cause PTSD symptoms.

3. Approved by the FDA for Treatment of Certain Epilepsy Types

Globally, more than 50 million people suffer from epilepsy. This is a condition that causes seizures, breathing problems, and loss of consciousness, among other symptoms.

The repeated seizures can be so severe that they begin to affect the individual’s cognition. In fact, memory loss, attention, and learning ability are all affected. As one can imagine, the life-long implications are serious. Epilepsy is a complex disorder with several subtypes with different levels of severity.

Following several trials and studies, the FDA found in 2018 that certain CBD products were effective in treating rare and severe forms of epilepsy in children. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is one such example, which can start between the ages of three and five.

Similarly, CBD has proven useful in treating Dravet syndrome, a condition that causes frequent and prolonged seizures, starting in infants as young as one year.

It should be clear now that CBD holds a far more important place in healthcare than people give it credit for. It has the potential to change so many lives for the better. This is particularly relevant when you consider that some existing medications can cause a number of side effects. These include drowsiness, fatigue, weight gain, and more.

In contrast, the side effects caused by CBD are minimal to none, often only limited to a bit of dry mouth or a little nausea.

The Takeaway

Scientific knowledge about the use of CBD for its health benefits is still in the early stages. However, from what we know, CBD appears to be a promising substance that will only keep surprising us as time goes by.

Remember, this is a subject that’s worth keeping an eye on. As society becomes more accepting of CBD, the number of studies continues to rise. It’s only a matter of time until the benefits of this compound become common knowledge.