CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis and hemp plants. While this natural remedy has been around for years, it has only recently become a go-to treatment to alleviate symptoms of illnesses and other condition. Many individuals turn to CBD to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and chronic pain – just a few of many CBD benefits people report.

CBD Benefits: Why People Use CBD

However, studies about the positive and negative effects of CBD on the human body are few and far between, with most of the research on the topic having only been done in the past few years.

Luckily, hundreds of first-hand accounts from real people have supported early evidence pointing to CBD’s wide range of potential health benefits. Many individuals are currently using CBD to treat their joint pain, muscle aches, and anxiety levels, insomnia, inflammation, and much more.

CBD 101: 7 Facts To Know About CBD

If you are ready to experience CBD benefits in your life, there are a few key details you should know first. Below are seven things to remember as you get started.

We have also included a comprehensive CBD beginner’s guide below, so don’t forget to keep scrolling for more CBD benefits, questions and answers!

1. CBD Can Bind with Our Body’s Natural Cannabinoids

One of the more important systems in our body is the Endocannabinoid System, or ECS. It’s composed of endocannabinoids, which are lipid-based retrograde neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors and cannabinoid receptor proteins.

These receptors are found throughout the body, but they are mostly concentrated in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

This is the reason why the cannabinoids from cannabis or hemp plants can affect our body positively. One of our endocannabinoids is the anandamide, which activates the CB1 receptor. There are many positive effects of this activation, many of which are the same CBD benefits many people report.

Relieve depression
Lowering anxiety levels
Lowering blood pressure
Calming the mind
Lowering intestinal inflammation and more
Anandamide alone has been revealed to inhibit the spread and growth of breast cancer cells.

2. CBD Can Increase Quality of Life

Now you know that neurotransmitter receptors binding with cannabinoids can help treat symptoms of illnesses and bring relief to aches. But here’s another thing you should know. CBD is an allosteric modulator.

An allosteric modulator is a substance or chemical that affects or influences the strength of the signal a receptor sends to a cell. It could either strengthen or weaken the signal. In the case of CBD, this compound serves as a positive allosteric modulator for mu and delta opioid receptors (DOR and MOR).

CBD strengthens the signals these receptors receive from endogenous enkephalin – helping reduce pain and even increase your quality of life. CBD activates many receptors that control the body’s functions and contribute to the regulation of appetite, anxiety, and sleep. It can also alleviate or cure nausea, insomnia, and addiction.

CBD is also a negative allosteric modulator of the CB1 receptor. This means that CBD weakens the signals the receptor receives from THC, which is good news for those trying to keep THC’s psychoactive properties to a minimum. CBD works to mitigate or lessen the side effects, in fact, many cannabis users actually use CBD to counteract the feeling of being “too high” for this very reason.

3. Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Can Be Solved with CBD

Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency is the symptoms, illnesses, or conditions caused by the malfunction of the body’s endocannabinoid system. However, this is still a relatively new idea, presented originally in 2001 in a scientific publication.

A lot of research still needs to be done on this deficiency as well as the body’s ECS. This theory evolved from studies that have shown a relationship between brain disorders and other diseases and neurotransmitter deficiencies.

Several studies in the past few decades have revolved around the ECS and how it links to different physical and mental illnesses. This explains why cannabinoids can have a positive, therapeutic impact on people suffering from migraines, anxiety, depression, inflammation, and irritable bowel syndrome, among many other health conditions.

Because CBD binds well with endocannabinoids, it’s reasonable to conclude that CBD can regulate the body’s endocannabinoid system and prevent or cure clinical endocannabinoid deficiency. Although more studies need to be done to consider the findings definite, the research so far indicates a positive contribution from CBD in this area.

4. CBD Provides Various Natural Benefits

Because of CBD’s ability to bind with various receptors and endocannabinoids, it can provide many natural benefits to the human body. Here are just some of the symptoms and diseases regular CBD use can help prevent and treat:

Epilepsy
Multiple Sclerosis
Psoriasis
Inflammation
Acne
Depression
Anxiety
ADHD
Schizophrenia
Addiction Withdrawal
Heart Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

5. The Entourage Effect

The great thing about using plants as medicine is that most components of the plant —stem, leaves, flower, and roots – can all be used to treat ailments. CBD is just be one of several compounds from cannabis that can be used to boost health, but it can be even more effective if used alongside other naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes found in the plant’s original state.

A majority of capsules and tablets contain CBD isolate, which is the CBD molecule it its purest form. While this work for some, many people report greater CBD benefits when using a whole-plant medicine approach. This is referred to as the “entourage effect” of CBD. Studies suggests that this boosts the body’s strength and immunity even more than CBD isolate alone.

When people refer to “full spectrum” CBD, many of the reported benefits are due to the entourage effect. Unlike CBD isolate, which is over 99.9% pure CBD, full spectrum CBD leaves many of the surrounding cannabinoids and terpenes intact.

For example, Vitamin C is important for us to stay healthy. However, taking ascorbic acid—even if regularly—isn’t enough. It’s more effective to actually eat an orange, which will allow you to more fully reap Vitamin C and all its benefits.

However, the effects can vary depending on the plant used. While shopping for CBD, it can be helpful to consult with specialists about the kinds of cannabis or hemp plants available. As with many natural remedies, it can take some trial and error to figure out exactly which type is right for you.

6. CBD Can Replace Pharmaceuticals

With more and more individuals turning away from traditional medicine everyday in favor of natural healing, it is no surprise that CBD is gaining widespread popularity. Not only is it an effective treatment option for a variety of health conditions and ailments, but its wide range of benefits and minimal side effects make it a great alternative to more synthetic pharmaceuticals.

Below are just a few prescription pills people are replacing with CBD. In fact, according to a 2017 study released by Forbes and conducted by Brightfield Group and HelloMD, nearly half of all CBD users stop taking traditional pharmaceuticals in favor of the cannabis compound.

7. CBD and THC Can Target Different Kinds of Pain

There’s no doubt that CBD can treat many ailments – from sleep disorders to joint aches. But another hemp plant compound and extract, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, can also help alleviate pain.

While CBD can be used for many kinds of conditions, it is best known for treating people with inflammatory and neuropathic pain. THC, meanwhile, can be especially beneficial for people suffering from cramps and spasms.

Unfortunately, THC also has side effects that may be unpleasant for some, which is why it is sometimes a good idea to combine THC and CBD. CBD helps to mitigate the side effects of THC as mentioned earlier in this article, so combining the two allows the user to reap the benefits of both compounds with minimal side effects.

Right now, breeders, growers, and specialists are looking for ways to provide THC extracts with higher doses of CBD to meet these growing demands.

Seizures and Epilepsy Can Be Treated with CBD

While the pool of research on the use of CBD for seizures and epilepsy certainly isn’t as large as we’d like, there have been many studies and cases of people using low dosages of CBD to treat epilepsy and seizures.

CBD has anti-seizure properties, and because it doesn’t have psychoactive properties, it doesn’t induce addiction or other intrusive side effects.

According to adults and children who have used CBD for this condition, many have reported positive results when incorporating CBD into their daily routine to control seizures and lessen these cases. It can be extremely helpful for people with epilepsy as well. And because CBD can also regulate hormones and improve the body’s immune systems, regular use can potentially stop or cure such conditions.

CBD: FAQ and Guides to Get Started

Now that you know a bit more about the science behind how CBD works in the body and its wide range of health benefits, it’s time to dive a little deeper.

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked CBD questions, along with simple guides to help you chose the right CBD products for your needs. If you’ve asked yourself how much CBD to take, or are simply looking for more information about how CBD can help you take charge of specific areas of your health, then this is the place for you.

How should I take CBD?

Gone are the days of taking CBD in oil form and oil form only. Everyday, new CBD products are popping up on store shelves and online marketplaces to meet the ever growing demand for the cannabinoid. Consumers now have more options than ever with it comes to taking CBD.

But which way is right for you? Below is a chart with the top four methods of ingesting CBD. How quickly CBD oil, CBD edibles, CBD vapes, and CBD topicals work, and how long they last in the body.

Why do people take CBD?

There is no denying that more and more individuals are turning to CBD than ever before. You don’t have to look very far to find first-hand accounts supporting the many ways CBD benefits health, but why are people using CBD in the first place?

We asked 500 ReviewbuyCBD readers why they took CBD and compiled the data for you in the guide below. Here are the top reasons individuals turn to CBD for their health, as reported by our very own readers.

How much CBD should I take?

Since everybody’s needs are different, and no two bodies are the same, CBD dosage varies quite a bit from one person to the next. While some report benefits in doses as small as 5mg, others need up to 100mg to feel any sort of relief. Those suffering from chronic pain, for example, often need a much larger dose than those seeking relief from anxiety.

Below is a chart outlining various health condition, along with an estimated dose to begin feeling CBD benefits. Of course, as with all supplements it is best to start low and slowly work your way up until you begin feeling relief from your symptoms.

How do I calculate CBD per drop?

Below is a guide to figuring out how much CBD oil is in each dropper, as well as how much CBD is in a drop. A standard bottle of CBD contains 30mL, so a good rule of thumb is to take the total CBD milligrams per bottle and divide this number by 30 to determine dose per dropper.

If your bottle of oil contains 600mg of CBD, for example, each dropper will contain roughly 20mg. There are about 20 drops of CBD per dropper, which equals out to exactly 1mg of CBD in every drop.

How can CBD help my skin when used topically?

Topical CBD has been used for years to alleviate joint pain and muscles aches, but a growing body of research has also found CBD to be an effective treatment option when it comes to skin health as well. From acne to psoriasis, find out how CBD can improve your skin health and appearance here.

Will CBD cause a drug interaction with other medications?

While lower doses of CBD (under 150mg per day) run a very low risk of significantly interacting with other drugs, it is always important to speak with your doctor before beginning any supplement routine. Those taking medications where maintaining a certain blood level is important – anti-seizure, anti-viral, and blood thinners to name a few – should take extra precautions before adding CBD to their wellness routine.

How much CBD should I take for sleep?

CBD is a very popular treatment for insomnia, with more and more individuals turns to the cannabinoid everyday to help treat various sleep issues.

While CBD dosage varies from person to person, many people experience more of CBD’s relaxation-inducing benefits when taken in higher doses.

For those who aren’t comfortable taking large amounts of CBD, many brands have come out with CBD products formulated specifically for sleep. These oils and capsules often incorporate other sleep supporting nutrients like melatonin or valerian root in their CBD sleep formulas, boosting the compound’s effectiveness even more.

Bliss Herbal and Medterra are our two current favorite CBD for sleep capsules of 2019. For our complete ranking of CBD for sleep products along with reviews of each brand, click here.

How can CBD benefit me?

By now, it’s pretty clear why CBD is increasing in popularity. Not only is this plant compound completely natural, but it is incredibly versatile too. From mental health issues to physical well-being and everything in between, more and more people are making the switch to CBD to feel better inside and out.

Whether you are using CBD topically to treat skin issues and joint pain, or taking CBD for insomnia and depression, one thing is clear: CBD isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

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