Benefits of CBD and Why
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabis compound that’s become increasingly popular in recent years. But what is it? What are the most common uses for CBD and why?
CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It’s not psychoactive like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the cannabinoid that causes you to feel “high.” That’s why CBD can be used as a treatment for people who suffer from anxiety and depression without getting them high.
It’s also used as an anti-inflammatory drug because of its ability to reduce swelling and inflammation in the body. A 2013 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that it could be helpful for people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. And another study published by The Journal of Experimental Medicine found that CBD helped reduce inflammation in mice with colitis—the inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease can lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea, among other symptoms.
CBD has also been shown to reduce anxiety, which may be why it is so popular among people who suffer from anxiety disorders. A study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that CBD could reduce the effects of anxiety and panic attacks in people under chronic stress. And a recent study published by Frontiers in Pharmacology showed that CBD could help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The researchers found that when they gave 10 mg/kg of CBD to mice with OCD symptoms every day for one week, the mice stopped exhibiting OCD behaviour, such as excessive grooming and repetitive jumping. In addition to treating anxiety and depression, CBD may also help prevent cancer from spreading. A study published in the journal Oncogene found that CBD can block metastasis of breast cancer cells by inactivating a gene called ID-1. The researchers noted that CBD works best when used in combination with other cannabinoids like THC. CBD has also been shown to be effective in treating other types of cancer, including colorectal cancer. A study published in the journal Molecular Cancer found that CBD could help inhibit colon cancer cell growth by activating a gene called GPR55. The researchers noted that this is because CBD can increase levels of endocannabinoids, which are compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body.
