5 Eye-opening Health Benefits of Oral CBD

Did you know that the CBD industry is projected to grow to a $20 billion industry in the next five years?

It certainly feels like CBD oil exploded into the public consciousness overnight.  It would be hard to miss all the hype.

With CBD-laden products and offerings available at coffee shops, gas stations, yoga studios, trendy restaurants, and health food stores, the opportunity to try it is everywhere you look.

So what’s the big deal?  People are excited about CBD because of the potential for it to offer a natural alternative for treating a wide range of conditions.  Others are wary that it’s just the newest trendy health craze with little evidence to back up the claims.

Well, is CBD oil the holy grail or is all the talk of its positive benefits just a result of the placebo effect?  Dive in with me, and we’ll discover some of the eye-opening health benefits of oral CBD!

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD for short) is one of the chemical compounds known as cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant.  It’s been creating quite a buzz recently. Unless you’ve been stationed deep under a rock, chances are you’ve heard of it. Some people claim it’s a miracle cure-all, while others dismiss it as nothing more than snake oil.

There are also many misconceptions because of its relation to marijuana, the plant known for its ability to alter your consciousness.

So… Does It Get You High?

CBD does not get you high, unlike its cousin cannabinoid, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC to its friends.)  THC is cannabis’ most famous component, responsible for the mind-altering effects that marijuana is known for.

CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive but carries some of the medical benefits people ascribe to marijuana as a whole.  The oil can be extracted either from the marijuana plant or the hemp plant, resulting in CBD cannabis oil and CBD hemp oil.

CBD oil has little or no traces of THC, which is great when you want to receive the health benefits without the wild ride.  In a time when many people are growing wearing of the side effects of standard pharmaceuticals, there is hope that CBD exists as a more natural alternative.

While there is still a lot more research to be done, many people swear by CBD as effective in treating a wide range of ailments.  Many of the studies that have been conducted thus far have been extremely positive regarding the potential health benefits of CBD.

How Do You Take Oral CBD?

The market is populated with every conceivable CBD product.  While some apply CBD topically in the form of salves, face creams, and even shampoo, others take it orally through oils, tinctures, gummies, vaping, under the tongue sprays, and many more.

While CBD is natural and not known to produce dependence issues, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about it to see if it could interact negatively with any medications you’re taking.  You’ll also want to make sure that you determine the best dosage for CBD.  There aren’t any reports of people overdosing on CBD, but you still don’t want to accidentally take more than you need to.

Five Health Benefits of Oral CBD

The proposed health benefits of CBD are practically endless.  No wonder everyone is curious if there are CBD vape benefits or positive health effects from oral CBD.

Here I’ll list five of the most eye-opening CBD oil benefits!

1.  Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relief

One of CBD’s promising effects is its ability to offer pain relief and reduce inflammation.  With pain being, of course, terrible, and inflammation known to lead to many serious non-infectious diseases, this is great news.

While the field of CBD research is still new, studies in mice and rats found that CBD reduced pain and chronic inflammation.  Additionally, people with fibromyalgia have used CBD to alleviate the chronic pain that results from the condition.

CBD oil is also popular to use post-workout, as it’s reported to help relieve delayed onset muscle soreness.

2.  Anti-Seizure

Another amazing health benefit of CBD is its anti-seizure properties.  So far, only one drug has been approved by the FDA for medical purposes that contains a drug derived from marijuana.

This drug, Epidiolex, has been found to be effective as a therapy for two rare, drug-resistant epileptic conditions that affect children.  Research has also shown that some of the complications of epilepsy, like psychiatric diseases and neurodegeneration, can be helped by CBD.

3.  Alleviating Cancer Symptoms

It sounds too good to be true, but early research supports that CBD could even be effective in the treatment of cancer, its symptoms, and the symptoms of cancer treatment.  Animal-based studies have found that it both prevents the spread of cancer in addition to promoting cancer cell destruction.

Cancer treatment is known for having brutal side effects, like pain, nausea, and vomiting.  It’s been suggested that CBD could help alleviate these as well.

4.  Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental disorders.  While everyone experiences some bouts of sadness and anxiety at some point in their lives, others are plagued by ongoing issues with anxiety, depression, or both.

Around 18% of Americans have an anxiety disorder of one sort or another, and 6% of Americans suffer from clinical depression. Both human and animal studies have found that CBD offers anxiolytic-like and anti-depressant-like effects.  This points the potential usefulness in treating these crippling disorders.

While THC is known to create anxiety and paranoia in some, this is not present in CBD.  Known instead for its calming effects, CBD may alleviate symptoms for people suffering from a range of anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.  Another study suggested that CBD offered relief from the anxiety that accompanies public speaking. 

5.  Supports Heart Health

Another proposed benefit of CBD is its ability to support heart health.  Recent research found that CBD can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, in addition to reducing artery blockage and stress-induced blood pressure fluctuations, all of which can lead to serious cardiovascular problems.  Its ability to prevent inflammation and oxidative stress also may help stave off heart disease.

Should You Try CBD?

Studies on CBD and its benefits and potential drawbacks will certainly be ongoing in the years to come.  Early research, though, plus the reports of countless people who take CBD and swear by it, are very promising.

With such a wide range of possible perks for both your mental and physical health, why not give it a try?  Whether you are living with a condition like chronic pain, suffering from a mental disorder, or you just feel occasional anxiety, oral CBD could offer you some relief.

There are a lot of ways to take CBD oil.  Have fun experimenting to learn what ways work best for you!

Feel free to share this with your friends to let them know the health benefits of CBD.  Do you know other benefits I didn’t mention?  If so, let me know in the comments below!