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By now I expect you’ve all heard about CBD (Cannabidiol). I’ve briefly touched on CBD oil before, but I’ve never actually gone into much detail on the various CBD benefits! And, believe me, there are quite a few!
What is CBD?
I’ll keep this brief as it’s quite easy to become pulled in by what exactly CBD is. In short, it’s one of around 113 cannabinoid compounds found within the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces the psychoactive effect gained from smoking weed, CBD has a milder effect. It won’t get you high by any means, but for most, it produces a calming, stress-relieving reaction. There’s also evidence to suggest that in specific doses and strains, it can also help with concentration and energy levels!
I’ve recently switched from CBD gummies to using broad-spectrum CBD oil by CBD Guru. For just over two weeks, I’ve been using their 1000mg fresh mint flavour twice a day to help manage ongoing feelings of anxiety. CBD has been a constant in my life for over four years now, but it’s been a while since I’ve used oil. But I’m glad to report that the oil, alongside other techniques, has helped pull me out of a hole more than once over the last fortnight.
5 CBD Benefits you might not know about.
CBD can help you sleep.
The main reason I first started using CBD was for crippling anxiety, depression, and even grief. All of these things kept me awake at night to the point where I would go days without a decent night’s sleep. Alongside the use of prescription medication and advice from my consultant, I started taking CBD drops throughout the day. Since then I’ve even migrated to vaping (as a replacement for a pretty intense smoking addiction) and eatables. My sleep has improved tenfold. Although I may not always sleep through the night, I do get more restful sleep and even feel the urge to fall asleep wherein before it was absent.
But I’m just one positive case with an opinion. What does the science say?
CBD for sleep is a very common thing nowadays. In an effort to step away from traditional and sometimes addictive medications, CBD has natural calming abilities. The endocannabinoid system helps to regulate our sleep-wake cycle. That combined with the relaxing properties can aid our minds and bodies over to a restful night’s sleep.
*It should also be noted that although CBD has proven helpful to those with certain sleep disorders, there are a vast variety of them. It’s therefore unfair to assume that CBD is a cure-all for not only sleep disorders, but any disorders. Much like traditional medicine and prescription medication, there is no one size fits all. Please be mindful of that if trying CBD for any ailments including your sleep cycle.
You can use CBD on your pets.
When we get sick it’s one thing. But when our pets get sick it can be a whole different ball game. Vet treatment can be expensive but necessary as our animals become older. What’s more, watching a pet go through an illness can be heart-wrenching.
Although it may not be a cure-all, CBD has many health benefits for us and our animal companions. Much like in humans, CBD acts as a painkiller and natural anti-inflammatory. Not only this but it is often used as an antiemetic in chemo patients and an anti-convulsant by those who suffer seizures.
It can take some time to find the right CBD for your pet. Some might have little effect, while others might be too strong. If planning on using CBD for your pet it’s best to consult a vet before choosing in regards to dosage and brands. Although CBD can be used for most animals, there may be some creatures that don’t react well.
*Be sure to always consult your vet before giving your pet alternative medicines. And ensure that any medicines given are safe to use. Depending on the species and type of ailment, it may be advised to avoid CBD during treatment.
Want to know more? Check out this awesome article.
It’s used in skincare, hair care and more!
Acne, sensitive skin, and blemishes can all be treated using CBD. My partner has used CBD cream specifically to treat acne and reduce the dark circles beneath his eyes. Although CBD isn’t a miracle worker, it has helped treat ingrown hairs and spots around his jawline. This is due in part to the fact that CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory. Acne is a known inflammatory condition, so by applying CBD you’re treating both the inflammation and soothing the skin at the same time.
What’s more, is that there’s evidence suggesting CBD also has anti-ageing properties. Due to its natural antioxidants, it can help lessen the signs of ageing by reducing wrinkles and blemishes.
“As for our hair? Well, although the research is still in its infancy, there has been evidence to suggest many benefits for our hair.“
CBD is full of nutrients such as Vitamin E, Potassium, fatty acids, Vitamin C, and even some omega compounds. Therefore it has every opportunity to provide the body with what it needs to strengthen and grow hair and improve scalp health.
CBD can be used as a natural pain relief and anti-inflammatory.
Thinking back on my own experience, my grandfather used CBD drops to help manage end-of-life pain and anxiety. In some respect, it also could have acted as an antiemetic (preventing sickness or nausea). Since then I’ve come across many people within the chronic pain and mental health community who use CBD as a way to manage symptoms. This includes things such as arthritis, IBS and even migraines.
A review held in 2018 by a variety of health professionals found that CBD was effective in pain management. The review looked at studies conducted between 1975 and 2018 and examined things such as cancer, fibromyalgia, and even neuropathic pain.
There are many more studies like this available on the web for you to do your own research. But personally, I don’t need to read anymore. If the side effects are few and the benefits are plenty, then perhaps CBD is the way forward.
Notoriously, CBD has been used to help people cope with mental illness.
I began my CBD journey primarily for anxiety and crippling depression. At the time I was grieving the loss of my grandparents, had just left my dream job, and was neck-deep in a relapse. But none of my stress and anxiety was new, it just happened to take a new form. I argue that I was born under a star sign with perpetual ‘jitters‘, others would argue I’m a product of my environment and circumstances. Either way, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m now stuck with a brain that can’t calm down, which ultimately means my body can’t calm down.
It was manageable as a child, but as I grew it grew and so did the variety of things I found to worry about. The more I grew up, the worse it became, and soon the anxiety was a constant struggle that I had to overcome. Each morning I woke up and I had to be able to climb that mountain. I had to make phone calls and answer the phones at work despite the fact it made me sick to my stomach. I had to cope with exams and coursework despite spending most of the night thinking about them; I had to learn to live.
Eventually, it wasn’t just anxiety because of phone calls or social situations, it was just because of life. I poured more and more from my cup, never stopping to refill it. By December 2018 I’d become so overwhelmed, underweight, in pain, and generally uncomfortable that I just couldn’t take it anymore. My stomach was filled with heavy knots, my food wasn’t digesting properly, my heart pounded so hard that it caused chest pains, and I was constantly light-headed and afraid of everything. Any manner of confrontation or innocent conversation, and I just wanted to run and hide.
“I’d tried the therapy, I’d taken the pills but I just couldn’t calm down.”
CBD was especially helpful when it came to my relationship with food, one of my biggest challenges. It’s been such a big part of my treatment and recovery alongside prescription medication and CBT. And although changes can take time to appear, the benefits are clearly there.
Some of the notable CBD benefits I’ve personally experienced are as follows.
- Lowered levels of general anxiety and anxiety around mealtimes.
- My body has slowly begun to regain correct hunger signals since I began using CBD. Before my hunger was all over the place or non-existent. Now my signals are becoming more consistent and controllable.
- Reduction in irritability.
Can you think of any other CBD benefits I might have missed?
Learning about CBD and its benefits on the human body has sparked my interest in other holistic, natural medicines such as reflexology, and homoeopathy. If you’ve experienced either of these treatments or other alternative medicines, I would love to hear from you!
CBD has many uses. I used CBD for chronic pain and anxiety I feel like it help so much..
I absolutely love how CBD helps with general anxiety. I’ve always wanted to try CBD oil since it seems so beneficial. I didn’t know you could use it on your pets. How interesting! Thanks so much for sharing.
I didn’t know that you could use CBD on pets. That’s really interesting. Thank you for sharing these benefits.
Lauren.
CBD has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential health benefits. While some benefits are widely known, such as reducing anxiety and pain relief, there are other lesser-known benefits worth mentioning. Some of these include anti-inflammatory effects, potential neuroprotective properties, and possible assistance with drug addiction and withdrawal symptoms. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of CBD and its impact on various health conditions.
Wow, that’s interesting it can help people to sleep. These are definitely benefits that I didn’t know but hear people say it has good things.
I don’t really know much about CBD and I haven’t yet had a chance to try it. It’s amazing the properties that it does have and it is something that many people find useful. I really want to test its sleep properties. That would be really helpful for me as I sometimes struggle to sleep.
I absolutely love how CBD helps with general anxiety. I’ve always wanted to try CBD oil since it seems so beneficial. I didn’t know you could use it on your pets. How interesting! Thanks so much for sharing.
I am glad you shared what is CBD. It is becoming very popular over the last 5 years. There are stores here in NYC dedicated to selling CBD products. Good to learn of it’s health benefits and that it doesn’t have the same effects as smoking weed.
Ooohhhh yes! Some people may come out to contest some of these benefits but for those people who have lived experience of them support the use of CBD! Thanks for sharing such enlightening information.
It is nice that there are so many ways to benefit from CBD. I haven’t tried CBD and I can see why it is so popular.
While I knew about most of these benefits, I had never heard about the inflammation! I will definitely have to start taking my CBD again.
CBD has so many uses. It’s great that its benefits are finally becoming known. In the not too distant past, anything related to cannabis was strictly off limits.
It is amazing all of the different ways CBD can help both humans and animals alike! I have a pain cream with CBD that I like using.
I did actually know about the anti-inflammatory properties because my chiropractor suggested a cbd roller for a shoulder injury I had. Some of the others, such as using for pets, was new information for me, though!
I am a HUGE believer in all of this. I live in Denver CO, USA and can get topicals with THC as well. I don’t use it recreationally just for healing. Even better I think
As usual, reading about the scientific aspect of what’s in the beauty world is the interesting read I was needing! This especially was especially thought provoking! Thanks so much for sharing!
We have many CBD stores popping up around us but I was a bit hesitant to purchase anything. I think I will check out some CBD edibles for a better night’s sleep! Thanks for the info.
Wow, great post.Really thank you! Cool.
Great post! I like to learn, and I have learned something! Thanks you very much keep the good work!
Interesting blog post.
I honestly couldn’t cope without it (and my other meds!).
I’m using it alongside my medication but then all meds are different. You’re best being safe and sticking to what you know! My dad uses it for back pain and my grandfather used it for end of like anxiety and it also helped with his nausea.
i love cbd, it really helps so many things. ive used it on my pup and he does great.
I have been curious to its effects. I might look into trying some.
I know that CBD oil can be very effective in many circumstances. It has helped a lot of the dogs I know.
i always come across CBD online but i never got the chance to actually know its advantages, thanks to this post!
CBD is like a miracle product! I’ve been experiencing health anxiety during the pandemic and felt so lost and helpless, but CBD oil has helped me calm down SO much. My problem is I want to try all the options! lol
I’ve not tried any CBD yet but I had no idea it was used in skincare, nor that you can use it to treat pets. That’s really interesting, you’re right, there’s definitely more to CBD than meets the eye, thank you for sharing these additional benefits.
There are many aspects and benefits of CBD that I don’t know yet. Thanks for sharng!
I have not tried using CBD before. Thank you for sharing these things. Good to know.
I work with a company that has a wonderful, natural CBD product. It has helped a lot with my anxiety.
Great post Nyxie. I’ve read so much about CBD but have yet to invest in any.
I really think it could help me a lot. I also think my partner could do with it for sleeping etc x
I’ve been wanting to give CBD a go for so long, these benefits youve listed sound really good!!
I definitely want to give it a fair shot when the baby’s born and I have more options with what I take. Thanks for all the great insight!
I think I need to share this information with my sister-in-law and I am pretty sure this will help her to be relax. Thank you!
I wish I could lay my hands on any CBD products. Sadly it’s not available in my area.
CBD is becoming pretty popular. I’ve looked into it over the years as a ghostwriter for other bloggers and brands. That’s really the only reason I know so much about it. Glad that you shared some info for others to have when they might think about trying CBD.
I knew CBD was good for pain but that is all I knew. Thanks so much for all of think information!
I knew CBD was good for pain and anxiety, but I wasn’t so up to date on all the other things it can help with. This is really cool.
My cousin is a RN and she recommends CBD cream (to family members) for pain relief all the time. It works!
I love how informative your post is. I’ve heard a lot of good things about CBD and I like it for its health benefits.
I actually really like CBD
I have heard a lot about CBD and I know of a friend who gives it to her dog because her dog is very anxious. It is good to know the benefits of CBD because I know a couple of people who may find it useful for their ailments.
I didn’t know that CBD oil has such a beneficial influence on our body! Can’t wait to try it out after reading your article! 🙂
I love CBD oil, it helps for so many of my, and my boyfriend’s ailments. It gives you results that conventional medicine just doesn’t.
All the best, Michelle (michellesclutterbox.com)
I think I have a facial oil that has CBD on it. It works well on me and I haven’t experienced any allergies.
I didn’t know so much about CBD yet even though I positively LOVE it
Good to know! We have a CBD balm and I always forget to use it!!!
Your heading picture looks just like my husky and we use CBD for him when we travel. It really helps with his anxiety on road trips. CBD has so many uses, thanks for your insight.
There are so many people who struggle with anxiety. It’s nice to see that they can rely on CBD products to help deal with theirs.
I am glad to see that there is a shift in our society and people are talking more openly about CBD and it’s benefits. I was first introduced to it a few years ago. There are a lot of misconceptions floating around there, so posts like this are very important.
I love CBD for sleep. I am starting to use it more for stress during the day
I use CBD for chronic pain and anxiety and I honestly feel like it helps so much.
I always hear about CBD but I haven’t tried it yet. I might down the line and see how it works for me!
I’ve been wanting to try some CBD products for a while, so this post has come at a good time. I’d want to try some skincare with CBD, hopefully it will work for me.
I can’t take CBD right now due to the medication that I’m on (which is working brilliantly for me so I have no intention of coming off it anytime soon) but inevitably in the future when I do come off it, I’d definitely consider using CBD! My aunt used to use it for pain and inflammation in her knee!
I haven’t used CBD but feel like it would definitely be of benefit for my sleeping and maybe the anxiety I experience. I’ve heard some great things about it so would be willing to give it a try. I have been hesitant only because people I know, when I shared that my husband was diagnosed with cancer, said to use it because (and I know this is not true) it would “cure” his cancer. It put me off. I don’t doubt that CBD can alleviate things like sleeplessness, pain, even side effects from radiotherapy and chemo, etc but to be told this kind of put me off. Thanks for sharing the info here, this is more useful!