Note: This CBD Benefits Guide has been co-authored by Shahzaib Ahmed of King Edward Medical University, in line with the ‘Vape and Juice Medical Review Policy’. See our Medical Editorial Team.
Chances are you have found your way to this blog because you’re interested in learning about CBD and how it could help you.
Maybe you’ve got a mate who swears by CBD oil for chronic pain or another who has anxiety and finds CBD to be a great help.
In this post, we are going to delve into some of the conditions CBD may help with. If you’re in a rush and know what you are interested in, skip to the section using the links below.
CBD benefits – what might CBD help with?
- Can CBD help with weight loss and muscle recovery?
- Can CBD help you sleep?
- Can CBD help with anxiety?
- Can CBD help with eczema?
- CBD for autism
- CBD for fibromyalgia
- Can CBD help IBS?
- Can CBD help interstitial cystitis?
First, here’s a quick bit of info on CBD
CBD comes from Cannabis, a flowering plant that has been used both recreationally and for medical purposes. This plant contains 113 cannabinoids, the most researched and known about ones are THC and CBD.
THC is the cannabinoid that will make you feel intoxicated, CBD will not have that effect. It acts on the same receptors as THC, however, it doesn’t have the same chemicals to give you the ‘high’.
Now, let’s look at the different things CBD may help with.
Can CBD help with weight loss and muscle recovery?
Whether it is the start of the New Year or summer holidays there is always some added motivation to get yourself into the gym. Losing weight makes you look smart and handsome. In January 12% of members sign up to a gym getting on the back of the New Year new me hype.
If you are someone who has always struggled with the gym, due to anxiety, motivation or just feeling too damn sore after one session, then you might be interested in CBD for weight loss and muscle recovery.
Research has proved that CBD has been considered a useful tool to help with weight loss, both directly and indirectly. It isn’t a magic oil though. Of course, you need to put the effort in with your diet and exercise.
However, CBD may help you in various ways that relate to weight loss. Including sleep, muscle recovery and possibly even appetite suppression.
CBD for muscle recovery
When we train hard at the gym or start a new exercise regime, you might find yourself suffering from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) up to 72 hours later. Exercise leads to stress on the muscle. The tears that form during exercise are compensated by muscular rebuilding and protein formation. It also leads to additional muscle strength.
CBD oil constituents bind to the body’s receptors and desensitise them. These receptors are known to mediate pain, inflammation and body temperature. This is the proposed mechanism of action of CBD oil.
Reducing this muscle soreness sooner using CBD may help you to get back into the gym the next day, rather than a week later.
The more often you are going to the gym, then the more chance you have at burning calories. After all, the weight-loss equation with or without CBD oil is calories in vs calories out.
CBD for sleep and weight loss
Poor quality or lack of sleep can cause weight gain. This is because sleep deprivation causes hormonal changes in your body. These hormones regulate hunger and appetite.
Not only are hormones affected, but when you are tired you are less likely to have the motivation to go to the gym or out for a run. The more appealing situation is sitting down and eating biscuits!
In a study by Russo, Guy & Robson, (2007) shows that treatment with CBD in about 2000 subjects with 1000 patient years of exposure demonstrated marked improvement in subjective sleep parameters in patients. .
CBD has been known to help you get a restful sleep. It can help those suffering from insomnia and other sleep disorders. It may have a calming effect that makes you drift off and stay asleep throughout the night.
You can learn more about how CBD may help with sleep in this short video.
Can CBD help anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the main reasons why people use CBD.
There are multiple studies and ongoing research into how CBD may help with anxiety. If you are someone who suffers from that ‘heart like a box of frogs’ feeling, then it might help.
In a literature review conducted by Jessica et al., (2019), several studies proved that CBD can help reduce anxiety and a variety of stress disorders.
How exactly can CBD help anxiety?
It is an established fact that CBD helps to give your own serotonin a boost. If your serotonin is running low then you’ll be more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression.
Okay, now for the long words as we go a little deeper. CBD as an anxiolytic. This is said to help boost the prefrontal cortex activation, which lowers amygdala activity. The amygdala plays a big part in our emotions.
Can CBD help with eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition affecting 15 million people in the UK. It causes the skin to become cracked, itchy, inflamed, dry, sore and red.
It can be treated with creams and ointments. However, more people are looking for more natural remedies to help treat their condition. One of these is CBD for eczema.
CBD for eczema is particularly appealing for those who don’t want to put harsh chemicals on their skin. But does it work? Can it help to relieve the itch and redness without the use of prescribed creams, lotions and potions?
Will CBD help with Eczema?
The National Eczema Association USA suggests that the reason why CBD may be helpful to those with the condition may be due to cannabinoids having an anti-itch effect.
On our skin, there are receptors which interact with the cannabinoids. This is how it helps to reduce symptoms and appearance of eczema.
The National Eczema Association USA said, “These effects happen through a constellation of interactions between phytocannabinoids and our endogenous cannabinoid system.”
The human body has an endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) which produces its own cannabinoids. These bind to receptors in the brain and the body.
In a study Toth et al., (2019), it was found that when CBD interacts with the ECS it prevents immune cell activation. When these cells are activated they release histamine which causes inflammation and itching..
How do I take CBD Eczema?
- CBD cream
- CBD e-liquids
- Tincture drops
- Edibles enriched with CBD
- Gummies
Can CBD help autism?
Researchers have found new evidence to suggest the medical cannabis can be an alternative therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Researchers treated autistic children with CBD and in 80% of the children in the study improved.
In a study by Remedy Review 2020, parents were asked questions about their children’s behaviour. This questionnaire found that 50% said that their children had impulse control issues and a short attention span.
45% said that their children were hyperactive and 45% said they’d hope CBD would improve their child’s mood. Another 35% said their child didn’t sleep well and 30% said they had trouble communicating.
Once the children had started using CBD there were some notable benefits. 54% said that their child had a more positive mood. 53% said their child was less anxious and 45% said their child was less stressed.
Another benefit is better sleep and improved communication.
Is CBD for autism legal?
CBD comes from the cannabis plant, however, it will not get you “high”. It doesn’t contain THC which is the psychoactive part of the plant.
Due to this, it is legal to buy and sell CBD, online and on the high street. You might notice that some CBD has a low percentage of THC, this is called a full spectrum.
Full-spectrum means that you get a legal amount of THC that won’t get you high, along with various terpenes which have their own benefits.
How should my child take CBD for autism?
CBD can be taken in a number of different ways. For children, you might want to consider CBD drops on the tongue (tincture drops) or edibles.
You can bake CBD into brownies or cupcakes, however, as an everyday solution, you might be best using the tincture drops.
Start off on a lower dose and see how the child reacts to it. Some people have a higher tolerance to others so start low and you can always increase the dose.
Watch our video on how to make CBD brownies for a weekend treat.
Can CBD help with Fibromyalgia?
There is ongoing research on CBD for fibromyalgia and lots of anecdotal evidence from customers. CBD has shown promise in relieving some of the symptoms which you may suffer from if you have the condition.
Symptoms include
- Pain
- Sleep issues
- Anxiety
In a review Berger et al., (2020), CBD has been found significantly effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia and associated systems.
CBD with Pain
CBD may help pain caused by fibromyalgia. This is due to the way in which CBD interacts with the human endocannabinoid system and our receptors.
CBD has also been said to interrupt the nerve pathways that send signals of pain between the brain and the body.
Sleep disorders alongside fibromyalgia
CBD may also help with sleep disturbances caused by pain. Having a good night sleep has also been said to contribute to reduced pain levels.
Anxiety and fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can sometimes be triggered by stressful events. Having a daily dose of CBD may help to reduce your stress and anxiety levels.
If you are someone who suffers from the condition it could be worth a try. Make sure you check that it won’t interfere with your current medications by asking your doctor or an alternative medicine practitioner.
Can CBD help with IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, also called IBS is a condition which affects the digestive system. Symptoms include
- Stomach cramping
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating.
The condition can be triggered by stress, inactivity and diet choices.
CBD help with IBS as it has been proved to balance the bodies endocannabinoid system. An imbalance in the system may play a role in digestive issues, such as IBS.
It may also help to relax the muscles in the GI tract, leading to fewer flare-ups of the condition.
CBD for Stress-induced IBS
Stress can be a major trigger of IBS symptoms. CBD may help to help you feel calm and relaxed, even during stressful times.
If you are feeling more relaxed you will likely not have flare-ups due to a stressful day at the office.
Research for CBD and IBS
The study Nallathambi et al.,(2017), studied the anti-inflammatory activity of C. sativa extracts on colon tissue. The study showed that cannabidiol (CBD) shows dose dependent cytotoxic activity, whereas low dose of CBD has proven anti-inflammatory activity and was found effective in the treatment of IBS.
Can CBD help with Interstitial Cystitis?
Interstitial Cystitis is a condition that causes pain. Pain would be felt in the bladder and sometimes pelvis. Alongside this, you may feel pressure in the bladder.
It is not an infection, it is a condition that people have to live with, undergo surgery or take meds for.
How might CBD help Interstitial Cystitis?
CBD helps to manage the chronic pain of interstitial cystitis. CBD is used by many people to help with conditions which cause chronic pain.
It is thought that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and the CB1 and CB2 receptors and interrupts nerve pathways. It may then change the way in which we perceive pain.
There is ongoing research into Cannabis oil and pain in humans, however, several studies have shown that CBD could help lower pain and inflammation.
Could CBD help my condition?
CBD may help with a number of conditions, not all of which we have listed here. If you are interested to know more about how CBD could help you, drop us a message.
NEXT: CBD for Women’s Health
"