CBD Research Shows Therapeutic Effect on Signs of Aging
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The war on aging is real. Nearly every magazine and every website has ads for miracle products that will decrease signs of aging. Billions of dollars are spent yearly on creams, ointments and medications to treat every sign of aging. One area of interest in the fight against aging is cannabis products such as CBD oil.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of nearly 80 compounds found in the cannabis plant. It does not have a mind-altering effect or a “high” that is usually associated with the well-known compound THC. In fact, CBD can counteract the effects of THC. While CBD and THC are both found in the marijuana plant, CBD is often made from hemp which has very little THC. Some hemp is grown specifically because of the high CBD and low THC levels, making it a good choice for medicinal CBD oil.
But does CBD really work on the signs of aging? Even throughout the “War on Drugs” hemp has been used in various skin care lines. Hemp has been an acceptable ingredient in skin care products because of the lack of THC. The cosmetic and skin care industry is a multibillion-dollar industry. With medical use of CBD being legal in many states, skin care products are changing from hemp only to actively advertising products that include cannabis compounds such as CBD.
What are the signs of aging in skin?
The way our skin ages depends on a lot of factors including lifestyle, heredity, and other choices that we make. Smoking, both cigarettes and marijuana produces free radicals (unhealthy oxygen molecules) that damage cells and can give you premature wrinkles. Although research shows that cannabinoids may have a therapeutic benefit to the skin, smoking is not the way to get that benefit. Studies show that the smoke does much more damage to the skin.
If you love to chase the sun, your skin can age prematurely as well if you aren’t religious with sunscreen. The sun can cause wrinkles, and spotted skin as well. Much of the premature aging that people experience is due to sun exposure. Stress and poor diet also cause premature aging. Some things we don’t have any control over, like heredity.
As people age, their skin changes naturally. Skin can be rough, or can lose the elastic tissue in the skin (elastin) which makes the skin fold, wrinkle and hang. Skin thins and becomes more fragile as we age. Skin also bruises more easily because the walls of the blood vessels are thinner.
The changes to our skin are the most obvious signs of aging. As researchers study how cannabinoids may lessen the signs of aging, most of the focus is on the skin.
What is the evidence for CBD oil?
A review published in July 2017 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatologists looked at the use of cannabinoids in treating dermatological conditions. They concluded that cannabinoids, and CBD in particular, had potential for treating psoriasis, pruritus, several types of dermatitis, eczema, and melanoma.
Another study showed clinical results suggesting that cannabinoids have antioxidant effects, which means they would help with anti-aging. The journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology reported that cannabinoids help with lipid production, which helps to treat conditions such as dry skin and acne.
Health Nut News reported that cannabinoids fight aging in the following ways:
- First, both CBD and THC have anti-oxidant properties. Anti-oxidants can prevent wrinkles. They also influence free radicals which are in our environment and are very damaging to skin.
- Multiple clinical research studies have proven the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids, and CBD in particular. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties, they should have a calming effect on things like under eye puffiness.
- Hempseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which can help dry skin, protect skin from the sun, and fight wrinkles.
If you choose a CBD oil product to fight the signs of aging, make sure that it is a quality product. Because CBD oil is not regulated, it might be difficult to choose a product with the correct amount of CBD in it. Read your label, and consult with your doctor for the best way to use CBD oil for anti-aging.
