No More Narcotics? Health Benefits of CBD
If you are one of the approximately 20 percent of Americans that suffer from chronic pain, you know relief from the discomfort can have a significant impact on your quality of life. However, finding that relief can be challenging, as many of the medications used to treat pain today have potentially severe side effects including dependency. Enter cannabidiol, better known as CBD oil, a natural botanical from the hemp plant that has been shown to offer significant health benefits including pain reduction.
What is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol is a compound derived from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. It is also one of the cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant. However, cannabidiol or CBD oil is not psychoactive, which means it cannot make you “high.” The substance in marijuana that is responsible for the high is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. The two substances are separate and affect the body in very different ways.
Health Benefits of CBD Oil
As more individuals are beginning to tune into the health benefits of CBD oil, science is starting to support some of those claims as well. Some of the potential advantages include:
1. Pain Reduction
CBD oil is used to treat various types of pain, including arthritis pain. Harvard Medical School cites animal studies that show both topical application and oral ingestion of CBD oil could significantly reduce pain levels for some individuals.
2. Seizure Management
A 2017 study showed that CBD oil substantially reduced the incidence of seizures in children with a complex epileptic condition known as Dravet Syndrome. In 2018, the FDA approved the first-ever drug derived from CBD oil, Epidiolex, to treat some types of childhood epilepsy.
3. Relief from Depression and Anxiety
Preliminary studies have also found that CBD oil is an effective way to counter the debilitating symptoms of depression and anxiety. The substance has also helped many suffering from insomnia to sleep better.
CBD Oil vs. Narcotic Drugs
For those who find pain relief using CBD oil, it can lead to a reduction in the use of narcotic drugs. There has been plenty of regulatory focus on drugs commonly used to treat both acute and chronic pain, particularly those categorized as opioids. In addition to side effects like nausea, drowsiness and slowed heart rate, the medications can also be highly addictive. The longer the drugs are used, the more likely individuals are to develop a dependency on them.
Is CBD Oil the Right Choice for You?
CBD oil can be taken in a variety of ways, including drops, capsules and CBD gummies. Topical products can be applied to the skin or CBD can be in an edible supplement. With many options to choose from, you can find a dosing method that is convenient and comfortable for you. Safety is a concern for many people considering CBD oil, but evidence continues to surface showing the substance is safe compared to other medications. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report affirming that in its pure state, CBD oil does not appear to have the potential to cause harm or lead to abuse.
If you are looking for a natural way to help support your chronic pain or other conditions, CBD oil might be the right choice for you. To learn more about the health benefits of CBD oil, or to purchase CBD products, contact BioFit today.
