CBD, short for cannabidiol, is currently a huge trend in the health community. CBD is said to have many health benefits, and many people use it as a part of their daily healthcare routine. But why do people use CBD? While a majority of products cater to certain needs, there are also a great deal of lesser known reasons people use CBD. Let’s dig into them.
Some of the common CBD uses are:
- reducing anxiety
- soothing pain and inflammation
- improving sleep quality
There are many more uses for CBD, some of which may surprise you.
Since the research on CBD is still in its infancy, many more uses may still be discovered in years to come.
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Reason People Use CBD #1: It may help with skin problems
If you’ve ever had the misfortune of having acne, you’ll know that it’s frustrating. However, many people swear by the latest trending acne treatment: CBD.
CBD seems to help in part because it has anti-inflammatory properties and in part because it regulates the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands produce sebum, which is the natural oil produced by your skin to keep it healthy. Because it regulates this oil while reducing inflammation, it seems to reduce the appearance of acne.
Experts also think that CBD may be able to help with skin issues like eczema and psoriasis. However, this needs to be studied further.
With this in mind, it’s no wonder why many companies are creating CBD-infused facial creams, serums, lotions, and even makeup.
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Reason People Use CBD #2: It could help with chemotherapy side effects.
Many people claim that CBD kills cancer cells, and while some research suggests that CBD might have tumor-fighting properties, there isn’t enough research to conclude that CBD “cures” cancer.
But this doesn’t mean CBD can’t help people with cancer. For example, this review on CBD and pain concluded that CBD can reduce cancer-related pain. CBD’s anxiety-fighting power can also help cancer patients who are struggling with anxiety.
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience severe nausea and vomiting.
Termed “chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting” or CINV, it’s notoriously hard to treat. CBD might be able to help with this – a 2010 study concluded that CBD might reduce these symptoms.
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Reason People Use CBD #3: It appears to help those with seizure conditions
Scientific research suggests that CBD has numerous positive effects on the brain. For example, CBD has helped many people who have seizure conditions, including rare forms of epilepsy. In fact, there are whole communities of parents who treat their children’s rare seizure conditions using CBD.
Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a CBD-based medication called Epidiolex, which is used to treat certain rare seizure conditions. Epidiolex is meant to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
If you have a seizure condition and you believe that CBD might help you, speak to your healthcare provider.
Also Read: The pros and cons of CBD Lube
Reason People Use CBD #4: It may help with depression
As mentioned before, CBD is often used to help with anxiety. However, it is also believed that CBD could reduce depression. Many people find that CBD lifts their mood and helps them de-stress.
A 2014 animal-based study found that CBD affects receptors in the brain to produce antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. What’s more is that a 2019 animal study found that CBD’s effects were similar to that of antidepressants.
Additionally, a promising 2018 review showed that CBD might be able to reduce stress. Since stress is a major contributing factor to depression, this could be why CBD seems to boost the mood.
While we are not sure why this is the case, it could be that CBD helps the body use serotonin more effectively. Serotonin, which is also known as the happiness molecule, is often lacking in people with anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
Also read: Can I bring my CBD oil on a plane?
While the link between CBD and depression needs to be studied further before we understand it fully, these studies provide a great deal of hope for people who are struggling with depression.
Reason People Use CBD #5: It can help pets
Surprisingly, humans aren’t the only beings who can benefit from CBD. Dogs in particular seem to benefit from the use of CBD.
There is a growing market for CBD pet products, and nowadays you can buy pet-specific tinctures, CBD-infused dog treats, and even CBD topicals for pets.
A few studies have shown that CBD can help dogs with certain health conditions, namely allergic skin reactions, pain, and seizure conditions. CBD is also often given to dogs for anxiety, especially during times of stress like over the Fourth of July or when moving house.
While the effects on CBD on dogs must be studied further, the available research shows us that CBD is safe for dogs to use. A recent survey of US veterinarians shows that many vets find CBD to help reduce pain, anxiety, and allergies in dogs.
If you would like to try CBD products for your pet, be sure to speak to your veterinarian beforehand. A knowledgeable vet should be able to advise you on how to use CBD for your dog.
In Conclusion
Hoping to use CBD to address any of the above health problems? It’s a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider first. While CBD is considered safe for human consumption, it can interact with some chronic medications so it’s a good idea to seek your doctor’s advice before using CBD yourself.
There’s still a lot of stigma around CBD. And some older generations are wary of it due to its connection with cannabis. But all that will change as it becomes more mainstream.
There are so many reasons why people use CBD as an important part of their daily routines. The wonders of CBD seem to be endless, and hopefully the more it’s studied, the more we’ll understand about its benefits.
Sian Ferguson is a freelance writer based in Cape Town, South Africa and she has written for publications such as Healthline, Greatist, and Psych Central to name a few.
