Although cannabis has only recently become legal in many states, it actually has a long history as a medicinal substance. However, modern-day researchers and scientists are somewhat limited in their ability to study cannabis and its impacts on the human body because of the fact that it remains on Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act in the U.S. This classifies the drug as having “no apparent medical value,” which is not only untrue, but it’s been proven wrong time and time again.
Thankfully, we have some information from researchers outside the U.S. on how cannabis and CBD oil for sleep can benefit humans. And, as more states begin to legalize cannabis on both a medicinal and recreational level, we’re able to gather even more information that will inspire new ways to use cannabis for the better.
Eases Chronic Discomfort
One of the most common benefits of cannabis and CBD is the ability they have to ease pain. Whether you’ve had some type of injury or you’ve developed arthritis, cannabis and the non-psychoactive compound CBD have the ability to react with your endocannabinoid receptors, which are responsible for recognizing pain and blocking it so as to eliminate or reduce discomfort. CBD products are a great natural alternative to prescription opiates that are often used to treat chronic pain. Also, CBD is much less addictive and has a very, very small chance of causing an overdose while a 2018 study found that 128 people overdose every day on their prescription medication.
Promotes Meditative States
Meditation is an excellent practice that anyone can add to their life. It’s a simple way to calm your brain and reduce feelings of anxiety. Research finds that not only does meditation help with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, it can also have a physical impact, too, by reducing your chances of getting high blood pressure, increasing your metabolism and improving cognitive brain functions. When you use CBD products, like a CBD tincture for sleep or topical creams, you’ll find that the added level of relaxation and calm can make it easier to slip into that meditative state.
Regulates Insulin
This is perhaps one of the most incredible benefits of cannabis, particularly for those with diabetes. Insulin plays an important role in regulating your metabolism, but apparently so does cannabis. Some researchers noticed a connection between marijuana users having lower rates of diabetes and obesity. It is speculated that cannabis’s ability to both block and stimulate the body’s cannabinoid receptors may help increase users’ metabolism, keeping them at a healthy weight even with one of the side effects of cannabis use being hunger (and, naturally, lots of unnecessary snacking).
But, because of its ability to regulate insulin, cannabis has been shown to help those who already have diabetes and it is speculated that it may even help prevent Type 2 diabetes. Cannabis can control your blood sugar levels, making it much less likely that someone with diabetes will go into diabetic shock.
Helps Mediate Feelings of Anxiety or Depression
When it comes to feelings of anxiety or paranoia, cannabis itself may be hit or miss. Because cannabis contains both CBD and THC, it has the calming body high of the CBD and the psychoactive “head high” of the THC. For some people, this altered state of consciousness can increase unfounded feelings of paranoia, which is why CBD products are a better alternative for people looking for anxiety-reducing alternatives. CBD is a cannabinoid compound in cannabis that has no psychoactive properties (meaning you won’t feel the type high of using cannabis), but it is able to bind to your body’s cannabinoid receptors to promote feelings of calm, relaxation and even a pleasant tingly feeling in your body. When your level of relaxation is heightened, it becomes easier to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Controls Seizures
You can thank CBD for this one, too. Cannabis itself may not have an impact on regulating a person’s seizures, but CBD oil and other products definitely can. In fact, CBD is so successful at this that it led to the first plant-based FDA-approved drug called Epidiolex, which is used to treat people with epilepsy. Clinical trials and other research studies have shown significant evidence supporting the claim that CBD seems to be able to reduce and regulate seizures, particularly in people who did not respond well to other forms of epilepsy treatment.
Assists People with ADHD and ADD
ADHD and ADD are two behavioral disorders that make it difficult for the person to concentrate on a task or focus on a conversation. People with either disorder tend to show signs of being fidgety, talkative, hyperactive and, in some cases, agitated. Naturally, if you’re having a tough time concentrating on something important, you may eventually become frustrated. Although there is not a lot of scientific evidence supporting the claim, many ADHD and ADD patients have reported that cannabis helps to reduce their impulsive feelings and hyperactivity while increasing focus. CBD may be another plausible alternative, though the psychoactive characteristics of cannabis may benefit those with ADHD and ADD greatly.
Helps Reduce Gut Inflammation
For people suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases, medicinal marijuana has long been a plausible solution. Because of cannabis’s anti-inflammatory properties, it seems to work by reducing inflammation in your stomach and bowels that cause some of the irritation brought on by Crohn’s Disease. This type of disease is caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own gut and causing inflammation that upsets the stomach and the bowels. When this inflammation is reduced, patients experience a sense of relief and experience fewer symptoms.
Makes the World a More Green Place
Cannabis and CBD products have clear benefits – for medical conditions like diabetes and ADHD to mental pressures like anxiety and stress. The more open we are to uncovering information on these compounds, the more solutions we’re likely to find. This is why it’s important to stay up to date on research and try out CBD for yourself to see the results.
