Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical substance discovered in the cannabis plant. CBD, unlike THC, another well-known chemical in cannabis, does not result in psychoactivity or the “high” often associated with marijuana usage. Instead, CBD has become popular owing to its possible medicinal effects as a natural cure for many health concerns. How CBD works, its impact on the body, and its potential advantages for pain relief, anxiety and depression, sleep, seizures, skin health, heart health, diabetes and weight management, and cancer will all be covered in this article. We’ll also examine its possible adverse effects, overdose symptoms, legality, and addiction.
How does CBD work?
Mood, hunger, sleep, and immunological response are some biological processes that CBD affects via interactions with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises enzymes, receptors, and endocannabinoids. Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the neurological system, the immune system, and other organs, and endocannabinoids are naturally occurring chemicals created by the body that binds to these receptors. CBD modulates the activation of these receptors via interaction, resulting in a wide range of physiological consequences.
How CBD affects your body (acts on liver, guts, heart, and brain)
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical discovered in the cannabis plant. It has received attention for the possible medical advantages it may provide. CBD’s effects on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which controls mood, hunger, pain perception, and immunological function, become apparent after ingestion.
The physiological effects of cannabidiol (CBD) vary, depending on variables such as the mode of administration, the dosage, and the person. Some of the many bodily systems that CBD may influence are as follows:
Liver
Some drugs may be affected by CBD since the liver metabolizes it. CBD may boost the blood levels of various medications, thereby increasing their toxicity or adverse effects. If you have any medical conditions or are on any drugs, you should discuss using CBD with your doctor first.
Gut
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may benefit from CBD’s anti-inflammatory qualities (IBS). In addition to influencing immune function and gastrointestinal health, CBD has the potential to influence the microbiome.
Heart
Lowering blood pressure and decreasing inflammation in the cardiovascular system are just two of the many cardiovascular benefits that CBD has been demonstrated to have. Additional study is required to weigh CBD’s advantages and hazards for cardiovascular health.
Brain
Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease are some neurological disorders that may benefit from CBD’s neuroprotective characteristics. CBD’s potential efficacy in treating mood and anxiety disorders, including anxiety and depression, is further supported by the fact that it can affect these factors.
While CBD may have some positive health effects, additional study is required to confirm these claims. If you have any preexisting medical issues or are already taking any drugs, it is essential that you discuss the use of CBD with your doctor before beginning treatment.
How CBD works for Pain Relief
Researchers have discovered that CBD has analgesic effects, which may help reduce pain. It may be effective by lowering the body’s inflammatory response and influencing how active pain receptors are. CBD has been the subject of research into its possible use as a pain reliever for arthritis, MS, and chronic pain.
How CBD Works for Anxiety and Depression
Anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of CBD have been observed. Serotonin receptors, which are involved in mood and anxiety regulation, may be the target of its impact. Research on the effects of CBD on anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression have shown promising results.
How CBD Works for Sleep
The calming qualities of CBD aid in getting to sleep. One possible mechanism of action is that it affects the brain’s ECS, which controls sleep and wakefulness. Researchers have examined whether CBD may help people with insomnia and other sleep problems get a better night’s rest.
How CBD Works for Seizures
Seizure frequency and severity may both be mitigated by CBD’s anticonvulsant qualities. It may function by altering the sensitivity of neurons to electrical stimulation, a process controlled by a network of ion channels and receptors in the brain. CBD has been the subject of research into its possible use in treating epilepsy because of its ability to lessen seizures; this is especially true for children with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
How CBD Works for Skin Health
CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, it may be helpful for skin health. Sebum, an oily material that may exacerbate acne, may be reduced. Acne, psoriasis, and eczema are just some of the skin problems that CBD has been tested for.
How CBD Works for Heart Health
CBD’s potential advantages for heart health include lowering blood pressure and inflammation, increasing blood flow, and enhancing circulation. Those with high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease have all been the focus of CBD research due to the compound’s potential to enhance cardiovascular health.
How CBD Works for Diabetes and Weight Management
Potential advantages of CBD for diabetes and weight control include lowering inflammation, increasing insulin sensitivity, and encouraging the body’s white fat to be replaced by its more energy-efficient brown fat. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been the subject of research into its possible use in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity.
How CBD Helps with Cancer
It has been discovered that cannabidiol (CBD) may help with cancer treatment by lowering inflammation levels, slowing the proliferation of cancer cells, and alleviating some of the adverse effects of chemotherapy. Research on the impact of CBD on chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting has shown promising results.
Side Effects
Although cannabidiol (CBD) is typically safe and well-tolerated, it has been linked to a few undesirable effects in certain users. Some of the most prevalent adverse reactions are:
Nausea: Using CBD, particularly in large amounts or with other drugs, might make you feel queasy. In most cases, this is mitigated by taking CBD with meals or decreasing the dosage.
Mood and Appetite Swings It has been shown that CBD may either stimulate or suppress hunger. Although some may feel hungrier, others may feel less hungry.
Mood swings Several individuals who use CBD report feeling anxious and depressed. If you have a history of anxiety or depression, or if you take a large amount, you may experience this.
Drowsiness: When used in large amounts or in conjunction with other soothing drugs, CBD might produce tiredness or exhaustion.
These adverse reactions to CBD are often moderate and short-lived and go away independently after the body becomes used to the compound. Nonetheless, seeing a doctor if you develop any severe or ongoing adverse effects is essential.
Certain medicines like blood thinners, anti-seizure meds, and chemotherapy treatments may interact with CBD. You should see your doctor before beginning CBD treatment if you are already taking drugs.
Effects of Over Dosage
Although cannabidiol (CBD) is well accepted by most, excessive dosing may lead to uncomfortable side effects such as sleepiness and nausea. While beginning CBD treatment, it is essential to use caution and start with a low dosage as directed.
Legal Status
CBD’s legal standing varies from one location to the next. CBD produced from hemp is lawful at the federal level in the United States, whereas CBD derived from marijuana is prohibited at the national level but legal in certain states. The legality of cannabidiol (CBD) in different nations varies greatly, with some countries permitting the use of both hemp- and marijuana-derived CBD and others prohibiting both kinds of CBD.
Is it Addictive
As cannabidiol (CBD) does not provide a “high” or psychoactive effect like the significant psychoactive component of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it is not considered addictive. That’s because CBD doesn’t work the same way as THC, bypassing the receptors in the brain that are activated by the latter.
In fact, CBD has been linked in some research to reducing drug seeking and cravings in people who suffer from addiction to drugs like opiates, cocaine, and alcohol. CBD’s effects on the endocannabinoid system, which regulates mood, reward, and addiction, are thought to be responsible for this.
Then there’s the issue of potentially addictive THC included in certain CBD products. This is especially true of full-spectrum CBD products, which include all of the cannabinoids present in the hemp plant, THC included. To verify that your CBD product is devoid of THC and any other impurities, it is recommended that you only purchase products that have undergone third-party testing and come with a Certificate of Analysis (COA).
Conclusion
CBD has shown promise as a treatment for various medical conditions, including pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, epilepsy, poor skin and heart health, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. CBD is widely seen as harmless, although it does have the potential to induce adverse effects and interact with certain drugs. CBD products should be used cautiously, and a medical expert should be consulted before prolonged usage. Since CBD’s legal status differs worldwide, consumers should always check the rules and regulations in their area before purchasing and consuming CBD products.
