In recent years, CBD oil has surged in popularity, captivating the attention of health enthusiasts and researchers alike. Derived from the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound that has been touted for its potential therapeutic benefits. With an ever-growing body of research supporting its use, many people are exploring CBD oil as a natural alternative for various health concerns. 

From anxiety relief to anti-inflammatory properties, the benefits of CBD oil are becoming increasingly recognised. Is it time you enjoy the health benefits of CBD oil too? Let’s dive into six health benefits of CBD oil, and shine some light on why it may be worth considering as part of your wellness routine. 

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis. Unlike THC, the most prevalent active ingredient, CBD is non-impairing by nature (meaning, it doesn’t cause a “high”). 

CBD can be extracted using solvents to separate the active ingredients from the plant matter or using CO2, which is the usual method used industrially. The final extraction is often mixed with a carrier oil (typically coconut or hemp seed oil), which can be ingested, applied topically, or inhaled. 

Hemp is the preferred choice for the extraction of CBD due to its low levels of THC (0.3% or lower). Cannabis plants with a THC level higher than 0.3% are labelled as ‘marijuana,’ and any derivatives from said plants would be in contravention of THC regulations.

Now that we can safely differentiate between the more contentious cannabinoid (the hallucinogenic THC compound) and the world’s wellness trend, CBD, let’s take a look at how CBD works. 

How Does CBD Work?

It’s safe to say the human body is a treasure trove of information- with signals sparking from the brain to help the rest of the body with optimal form and function. To help send messages to all parts of the human body is the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This ESC is a complex network of cannabinoid receptors to which neurotransmitters bind and affect processes that regulate mood, appetite, pain sensation, memory, immune response, and more. 

These receptors can be found throughout the body (mainly in the brain, gut, and immune cells). But how does this connect to the humble cannabis compound, CBD? Well, the body produces its own cannabinoids, of which the most prevalent are anandamide and 2-AG. Cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, particularly CBD,  interact at these receptors, causing a cascade of effects on the body, some of which are believed to be therapeutic in nature. 

Let’s take a look at these benefits, including the research that may support these claims. 

6 Health Benefits of CBD Oil

To kick things off, we’ll look at something we have all experienced in some shape or form: pain.

1. Pain Relief

The brain isn’t the only area of the body that CBD interacts with. Cannabidiol receptors can be found all over the human body, particularly in areas pertinent to pain relief, such as connective tissue and nerve cells. 

Peripheral Neuropathies, such as those experienced by diabetes patients, are notoriously hard to treat, but studies have shown that transdermal CBD ointments can be effective without the often severe side effects of traditional treatments.

Those who suffer from chronic illness have much to gain from the pain-relieving effects of CBD. But another subset of the population that deals with pain on a daily basis are pro athletes, and they, too, have seen the benefits that CBD products can offer. 

Pro golfer and cdbMD ambassador, Bubba Watson, is a strong proponent of CBD and swears by topical CBD applications for relieving the various pain syndromes associated with pro golfers, i.e., golfer’s elbow and generalised lower back pain. As stated in an interview with FoxBusiness, Bubba says, “after a tough day on the golf course, I want to be able to get better sleep and let the inflammation in my body go down.”

Despite the opportunistic marketing partnership, there have been numerous studies ratifying the effectiveness of CBD in the realm of pain relief. 

2. Anxiety and Depression

With anxiety and depression at an all-time high, it makes sense that CBD oil has cemented itself as a trusted ally amongst those looking for a little bit of support.  

CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory (we’ll touch more on this later),  and its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier allows for the reduction of inflammation in the brain, which is thought to be the basis of its anti-anxiety effects. 

In an interview with functional sports physician, Dr. Ara Suppiah, pro golfer Bubba Watson opens up about his struggles with anxiety. He detailed the anxiety was sometimes to the extent he needed to withdraw from tournaments because of the lack of control he felt from getting on a flight and how CBD has helped to combat these feelings. 

While this may be an anecdotal case, it highlights what many are finding with CBD oil: reducing debilitating anxiety and thus being able to continue with essential aspects of their lives. 

As stated in multiple reviewed studies, the effectiveness of CBD to treat anxiety is well documented and supported; however, the exact dosage and procedure are yet to be determined. Depression and anxiety are complex medical conditions that are not fully understood. However, their underlying mechanisms often overlap with research showing that CBD may help improve mood and alleviate depressive symptoms.

3. Sleep

If counting sheep isn’t cutting it, it might be time to consider a little help from CBD oil for a better night’s sleep.

CBD’s well-known effect is its ability to lower core body temperature in the human body. This fact makes up part of the scaffolding for the case that CBD has a directly causative and positive impact on sleep quality.

During the preamble towards bedtime, it’s normal, and some might argue necessary, for one’s core body temperature to drop by 1 – 2 degrees Celsius. This temperature drop helps facilitate a smooth transition from wakefulness to sleep. From there, the temperature drop helps the body slip seamlessly into NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. 

While there is little literature to back up the direct link between CBD and better sleep, most drugs approved for sleep disorders are CNS depressants or sedatives of some sort, which carry a risk of dependency.

Considering its low risk and its systemic approach to combating sleep disorders as opposed to forcing the body to sleep (like its pharmaceutical counterparts), CBD is a viable alternative to approved drugs, at least as a first course of action. 

4. Inflammation

Inflammation is at the root of many diseases, affecting millions worldwide. As a significant benefit of CBD oil, research has shown it can help reduce inflammation in conditions such as arthritis and chronic pain. 

Studies demonstrate that CBD can effectively decrease inflammation and improve overall comfort for those suffering from inflammatory conditions. But how does this work?

Our immune cells have a high density of CB2 receptors to which CBD binds and affects our immune response. Clinical studies have shown that CBD reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibits T cell proliferation, induces T cell apoptosis, and reduces migration adhesion of immune cells. 

While the above details might be difficult to digest, what’s important is to know that this potent interaction with the immune system makes it a potential treatment for numerous autoimmune conditions. 

Studies have shown that both psychoactive and non-psychoactive cannabinoids may have potential benefits for arthritis. Research conducted in lab settings (in vitro) and in living organisms (in vivo) indicates that cannabinoids can help reduce inflammation, which is a key factor in arthritis. They do this by lowering the production of harmful substances that contribute to inflammation and by inhibiting the growth of certain cells that can worsen joint issues.

5. Neuroprotective properties

When it comes to protecting our brains, CBD oil may just be the subtle guardian we didn’t know we needed. 

Cannabidiol has already been approved for the treatment of Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, both early-onset forms of epilepsy. Researchers have found CBD is effective in reducing the frequency of seizures in children suffering from these conditions. CBD has also been shown to alleviate the adverse effects associated with traditional anti-seizure medications, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. 

Moreover, preclinical research has mapped certain mechanisms through which CBD exerts its neuroprotective potential. Besides its general anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential, CBD has shown neuroprotective properties in rodent studies. 

Neuronal loss in the dopaminergic system plays a key role in the development of Parkinson’s disease and may also be linked to other neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis. A 2022 study showed that taking CBD orally can be quite effective in easing pain and spasticity related to MS. 

Many also report that CBD helps with issues like insomnia, tremors, dystonia, and pain experienced by those with Parkinson’s. There’s hope that more studies involving people will confirm CBD as a beneficial treatment for the symptoms or even the underlying causes of these challenging conditions.

6. Skin Health

CBD oil is a promising option for supporting healthy skin due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

More specifically, CBD’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties make it a viable treatment for eczema and acne when applied directly to the skin. On top of this, CBD has been shown to have a hydrating effect and can improve the baseline health of your skin, allowing for its diversification into other industries, such as cosmetics.

So the next time you’re considering a new product for your skincare regime, why not try CBD oil-infused products?

Safety and Side Effects of CBD

CBD is remarkably well tolerated when compared to many drugs that have been approved by the FDA and that are regularly prescribed. After all, humans have been using cannabidiol for millennia. 

But we would be remiss if we didn’t include some side effects: fatigue, diarrhoea, and dry mouth, which may interact with hypertension medications. This considered, it is important to note that there are no drugs that are approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression that don’t carry a substantial risk of dependence, incapacitation, and/or withdrawal. 

An effective treatment that does not carry the aforementioned risks and has a comparatively short list of drug interactions is a massive move in the right direction for pharmacology. However, choosing a quality CBD oil is imperative to reap the full benefits of nature’s remarkable cannabinoid.

Choosing Quality CBD Oil

While CBD has been a growing trend in recent years, the industry is still in its infancy. As regulation surrounding cannabis unravels across the globe, it is natural for it to take time for a universally accepted standard of production, procedure, and quality to be settled across jurisdictions. 

More onus is placed upon the consumer to do their due diligence when deciding which CBD product to buy, but luckily, we are here to point you in the right direction. Products that provide third-party lab test results help you ensure your new product has both purity and potency. Beside third-party results, you’ll want to look out for a clear list of ingredients and a clear hemp source as this indicates the brand’s commitment to transparency. For more detailed guidance, check out our in-depth article on selecting quality CBD oil.

Conclusion: Reaping the Benefits of CBD Oil

Due to its well-documented tolerability across populations, low rate of drug interactions, and easily scalable and sustainable production model, CBD could be an impressive first course of action when confronted with conditions ranging from generalised pain to epilepsy. 

At the very least, it could be incorporated into a treatment regimen along with conventional drugs as it has been shown to counter some of the adverse effects of said drugs. 

​​As we explore the potential of CBD oil, it seems that this versatile compound might just be the unexpected ally we didn’t know we needed for our well-being.