Busting the Negative Image of Cannabidiol with Science

Reasons to use cannabidiol

Image Credit: By Yarygin on shutterstock.

Our view of cannabis is changing. More studies are being done and all the research is showing cannabidiol to be a positive product. Keep reading to learn more. People have been cynical about the effects of medical cannabis, but the speed and breadth of medical studies showing wide-ranging results of cannabidiol and other cannabis extracts are changing opinions. Every day more patients and medical professionals are turning to cannabidiol, as science changes its negative image. Let’s take a look at why.

Why Everyone is Talking About Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidiol is an essential ingredient of cannabis. It is showing results in hard to treat illnesses, from PTSD and Multiple Sclerosis to heart disease. But what does it do, where can it be bought, and how can you find out more? This is the definitive guide to cannabidiol.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of two essential components of the cannabis plant, the other being THC. Cannabidiol and THC can be extracted from marijuana or hemp plants. They can be extracted into a variety of forms and have a far-reaching impact on the health and reduction of symptoms of illness and disease.

Why Does it Have a Negative Image?

Despite the fact that many cultures have used the cannabis plant for millennia for its medicinal and health aid properties, its use in western medicine is much more recent, and up until the last decade or so has been controversial. Pop culture images of people faking illness to receive a medical marijuana permit simply to get high on THC have contributed to the problem.

The growing and increasingly indisputable science on the effect of cannabis extracts is changing the reputation of the reputation of health aids such as cannabidiol. As more doctors and patients learn of its benefits, try it, and see the results, the more its medical power is accepted. The growing number of scientific research studies has forced the hands of policymakers to allow cannabis extracts to be sold in a growing number of locations and in a diverse range of forms. Recently, the Drugs and Enforcement administration has removed forceful negative language about the dangers of the cannabis plant from their website.

How Does it Work?

The human body has a system of receptor cells known as the endocannabinoid system, which is a bit like the body’s own cannabis. This system is involved in ‘bliss’ experiences, as well as in memory, sensation, inflammation and pain regulation, and mood regulation. It is not surprising, then, that cannabinoid properties from the cannabis plant have such direct and rapid effect on the body, in that they directly target the endocannabinoid system receptor cells.

Part of the previous bad reputation of medical cannabis was the assumption that it would make you high. Growing numbers of doctors, patients, and loved ones are seeing that the psychotropic properties of the cannabis plant are restricted to the THC. Not only does cannabidiol NOT make you high, but it has also been shown to counteract the long-term negative psychiatric effects and the short-term ‘high’ of THC when they are taken together.

THC has some health aiding properties where it can act on appetite, and aid sleep, so there are certainly still medical reasons to take THC. Those wanting to take THC for medical benefit but who do not wish to experience such a high can offset the THC by also taking CBD. Chronic THC use has been known to cause anxiety or even schizophrenia in adolescents. The countereffect of CBD means it can offset this negative consequence, protecting the brain from anxiety and psychiatric disorders caused by THC. Relatedly, cannabidiol may help repair the cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients.

Who Can You Take Cannabidiol?

Cannabidiol can come in many forms. It can be applied topically as a gel or cream, can be taken orally as a spray, drops, pill, or in edible form, and it can be taken as an inhalant or tincture. The best idea is to research online forums and speak to medical professionals about the particular health concern that has you considering trying cannabidiol. Once this is known, they can identify what is the best dosage and form of health and fit the context.

In the US, the laws about the legal status of marijuana and cannabis can be confusing. There are many states that allow high-CBD-low-THC products for sale for medical use. In 50% of US States, the purchase of cannabis is allowed for medical use. For up-to-date information, we recommend you consult a website publishing up-to-date information on suppliers and locations you can purchase cannabidiol products.

Studies Show that Cannabidiol Can Treat a Rage of Medical Conditions

By providing pain relief, assisting appetite and sleep, cannabidiol allows patients to improve their health by resting and eating well, and means they can reduce their intake of pharmaceuticals with far-reaching negative side-effects. A reduction in opioid pain relief reduces the high risk of medical opioid addiction increasingly prominent in the US. It provides a well-researched, relatively safe option with extremely low toxicity. Cannabidiol can help in an impressive range of illnesses. Here are just a few, to demonstrate the breadth and variety of health issues it can assist.

Heart Disease – CBD brings about a reduction in cardiovascular inflammation in two ways – firstly as a direct effect, and secondly by triggering the body’s endogenous anti-inflammatory system to work harder. As Heart Disease is caused by inflamed blood vessels where blood clots form and restrict blood flow in the cardiovascular system, CBD is a powerful agent in the fight against Heart Disease.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a traumatic reaction to a near-death experience that sufferers experienced personally, or that they witnessed. Frequently experienced by veterans, refugees that fled war or violence, first responders such as police, or civilians involved in flight crashes or car accidents or other extreme trauma such as abuse as children.

It can produce insomnia, flashbacks, depression, and hypervigilance. As the endocannabinoid system is involved in memory storage and retrieval, and mood, the relaxing properties of medical cannabis can provide PTSD sufferers with relaxation and better sleep. The calming effect can aid them to attend talk therapy such as counseling, that might otherwise be traumatizing.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – Multiple Sclerosis is an immune disease with a relatively early on-set affecting 2.3 million people globally. The disease erodes the insulating covers of nerve fibers and causes chronic pain, cognitive loss, mood swings, incontinence concerns, vision issues, fatigue, and difficulty walking.

While the method cannabinoids work on MS are not completely understood, it seems to resolve symptoms as well as causes of the disease. It reduces inflammation, aids sleep, reduces pain, but also seems to have an effect where it actually rebuilds the insulating fiber cells. MS sufferers that take CBD report improved memory and high-cognition, and even that it resolves their incontinence issues.

Skin Conditions – CBD gets results as an anti-aging and anti-acne aid as well. The topical application of Cannabidiol shows results with burns and fast-healing of skin disorders. It gets results on unsightly Cold Sores, Herpes, and even for those suffering from Eczema.

Childhood Epilepsy – Cannabidiol can reduce seizures in children with epilepsy. This has been one of the most controversial uses of the cannabis plant as people wrongly assumed that it would mean giving a ‘high’ to children. Use of CBD in children with epilepsy allows them to lead a normal school life like their friends and means parents can avoid giving them pharmaceuticals with nasty side-effects.

Arthritis – CBD acts on painful and debilitating inflammatory arthritis by reducing swelling and pain. The relief it brings to those with the illness allows them to return to daily activities. Patients using CBD report positive side-effects like improved memory and heightened mood.

What Are The Side Effects of Cannabidiol?

CBD is known to have extremely low toxicity. Its overdose rate is approximately zero. It is less addictive than caffeine or tobacco. Some users report slight depression, but the majority report it actually reduces depression. There are certainly positive side-effects. It reduces the probability of liver disease, improves sleep – which improves all health indexes, and can create more stable mood states. Improved mental focus and elevated motivation and activity.

As more care-providers see the impact of cannabidiol, they are signing up to provide it to their patients. If you are already taking traditional medications for a health concern, you should speak to your doctor before stopping a current prescription in favor of CBD. A meeting with a doctor who specializes in cannabidiol and other medical cannabis is a step in the right direction, for symptom relief and improvement. Patients with medical professionals that are dubious about the use of medical cannabis report that it is helpful to arm yourself with medical research, and take abstracts along to your medical appointment. This allows doctors to see the growing science and make a more informed choice based upon it.

Editorial Staff
Editorial Staff
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