Five Lesser-Known Uses for CBD

Most of the CBD stories that you hear about in the news media are focussed on the extreme cases where this non-psychoactive compound from cannabis can be used.

For instance, the anti-seizure qualities of CBD make it a novel and effective treatment for rare kinds of epilepsy, such as Dravet’s syndrome, which mostly affects children – this was the main story in Weed, a CNN documentary by Dr Sanjay Gupta broadcast in 2013.

We also hear plenty about how CBD can be helpful for those experiencing severe neuropathic pain like multiple sclerosis, and to reduce symptoms from chemotherapy treatment.

But CBD makes a lot of subtle changes to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and its effects are far more all-encompassing than just for a few specific illnesses. In this post, we’ll take a look at five conditions and health issues that you may not know can be managed with CBD capsules, vape juice and more.

Fibromyalgia is a curious condition that remains a puzzle for doctors and researchers, who have been unable to identify a causation or cure – however, the ECS may hold some clues.

Fibromyalgia can cause headaches, pain, sleeping difficulties, stiffness, fatigue, numbness and even inflammatory conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. This myriad of problems can also lead to mental health complications, as quality of life declines. However, many of these symptoms can be managed with CBD treatment, and correcting the ECS could be key to eliminating fibromyalgia altogether.

Some have suggested that fibromyalgia is caused by Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD), which prevents the body from producing anandamide, 2-AG and other endocannabinoids that are needed to ensure the ECS doesn’t become dysregulated. If this is indeed the root of fibromyalgia issues, then supplementing the ECS with phytocannabinoids – and particularly CBD – would be a logical way of treating the condition.

The scientific research is still thin, but anecdotal stories and data from surveys of medical cannabis users indicates that CBD is an effective and well-tolerated remedy for fibromyalgia.

Mental health problems are on the rise, with more than 16 million affected by depression in the United States every year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. World Health Organization statistics sees that figure rise to 300 million globally. And unfortunately, depression medication is very dated, with no serious advancement since the late 1980s, when selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were first introduced to the market.

However, the ECS has mood-regulating properties and anandamide is an antidepressant. These relatively recent discoveries have cannabis researchers intrigued, and there is evidence from new research on the “runner’s high” that upping anandamide levels in the brain can have a positive effect on mental wellbeing. CBD increases the presence of anandamide in the ECS by blocking fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) from breaking down the compound.

Furthermore, the side effects of CBD are much less of an issue, and pose no risk of depersonalization, as has been reported by some SSRI patients. There’s no danger of psychosis with CBD as it’s non-psychoactive.

Like fibromyalgia, migraines are unusual and have stumped experts, who are yet to find a cause or cure for these painful, debilitating headaches. However, CECD could be behind migraines as well, according to neurologist Dr Ethan Russo, who put forward the idea of endocannabinoid deficiency, and has expanded on the concept multiple times.

There are not that many studies on CBD and migraines, however Italian researchers used CBD and THC to treat patients with chronic migraines and cluster headaches – and the data was encouraging. The investigations found that cannabinoids could be used to manage the acute pain from migraines – this makes sense given that the ECS modulates pain sensitivity.

While medical cannabis did not significantly outperform existing treatments for migraines, the lack of side effects is a more than useful benefit. Large doses, up to 200mg are often necessary to treat migraines, meaning CBD vape oil and e-liquid are the best forms of treatment.

CBD and Skin Complaints

Skin conditions are problematic because they don’t just have physical effects but can leave mental scarring as well. For instance, a person with oily, pimply skin due to acne may lack confidence, and experience social anxiety or depression as a result. Acne, eczema and psoriasis have all proven notorious, with researchers unable to find working remedies for everyone – and products like Roaccutane have even been shown to worsen problems.

But CBD takes a different approach to other skincare treatments, harnessing the potential of the cannabinoid receptors in the skin to rebalance the ECS. Excess skin cell production from psoriasis, and oily skin from acne are caused by too much inflammation. In the case of acne, the body requires sebum to keep the skin waterproof and stop it from becoming dry, however an overactive immune system causes overproduction, which then leads to dirt and bacteria getting trapped in the pores.

CBD topicals are specifically designed to help with skin conditions, as the cannabinoids can remain concentrated in the skin, instead of being spread around the body. While other methods may also help the skin, they are not as efficient. Moreover, smoking may actually complicate issues by exposing the skin to free radicals.

Skin conditions are problematic because they don’t just have physical effects but can leave mental scarring as well. For instance, a person with oily, pimply skin due to acne may lack confidence, and experience social anxiety or depression as a result. Acne, eczema and psoriasis have all proven notorious, with researchers unable to find working remedies for everyone – and products like Roaccutane have even been shown to worsen problems.

But CBD takes a different approach to other skincare treatments, harnessing the potential of the cannabinoid receptors in the skin to rebalance the ECS. Excess skin cell production from psoriasis, and oily skin from acne are caused by too much inflammation. In the case of acne, the body requires sebum to keep the skin waterproof and stop it from becoming dry, however an overactive immune system causes overproduction, which then leads to dirt and bacteria getting trapped in the pores.

CBD topicals are specifically designed to help with skin conditions, as the cannabinoids can remain concentrated in the skin, instead of being spread around the body. While other methods may also help the skin, they are not as efficient. Moreover, smoking may actually complicate issues by exposing the skin to free radicals.

As people learn more about CBD, it seems probable that it will be embraced as a supplement. Vitamins and minerals are very popular, and with the ECS so important for health, boosting endocannabinoid tone and keeping it regulated with consistent CBD doses may be very beneficial.

For example, CBD can help to reduce cortisol, thereby subjecting the body to less stress. This can have a knock-on positive effect for the likes of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, a well-working immune system is essential for good health, and proper recovery following an injury or infection – the efficient link to immune system response through the ECS can be utilized by CBD.

CBD Final thoughts

The relevance of the endocannabinoid system cannot be downplayed, and now that researchers are learning how to best use cannabinoids to improve functioning in it, we should find even more medicinal uses for CBD. In the meantime, do hop over to this site to find the best CBD capsules that suits your taste buds. It will be a win-win situation where you can enjoy and reap its many health benefits at the same time.