WADE'S WORLD by Wade Longworth
In honor of National Hemp Month I thought it would be nice to write about some of the benefits of a fairly new product on the market. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural substance found in cannabis, also known as marijuana, and does not contain THC. Thanks to its various helpful qualities, the CBD boom is in full effect – with applications ranging from tinctures and patches to topicals and cocktails. So far, we know that CBD is a proven treatment when it comes to epilepsy, and early research is showing promise in a variety of different ailments. CBD oil is widely regarded as an effective product to treat and manage pain. The endocannabinoid system is a specialized system in the human body that aids in the regulation of sleep, appetite, the immune system and pain response. These naturally produced endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the body’s nervous system. CBD can help to reduce chronic pain by impacting this receptor activity, thus reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters. Currently, research is underway to determine the extent to which CBD can help with conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. CBD may be able to help you manage anxiety. It may change the way your brain’s receptors respond to serotonin, a chemical linked to mental health, which helps reduce stress. Receptors are tiny proteins attached to your cells that receive chemical messages and help your cells respond to different stimuli. One study found that a 600mg dose of CBD helped people with social anxiety give a speech. Other early studies done with animals have shown that CBD may help relieve anxiety by: decreasing physiological effects of anxiety, such as an increased heart rate, improving symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and inducing sleep in cases of insomnia. Although this article only talks about the most common PAGE 13
reasons that people choose to use CBD, there are many studies out there looking into other benefits. Everything from nerve pain to seizures and heart health is currently being studied. This is also another option for your pet if they are having issues with separation anxiety, sleeping through the night, or uncontrollable energy. Furthermore this is also a great alternative for people needing over the counter prescriptions to manage pain. Many athletes are switching to this product to cope with injuries and are choosing to pass on the habitforming prescription pain pills in favor of the natural product CBD.
