Possibly one of the more common applications of CBD oil for overall health and wellness is their use in the treatment of anxiety and chronic insomnia. While limited studies have been performed and conclusive evidence is still scarce, one research project sought to demonstrate a correlation, between daily use of CBD and decreased sleep latency. In other words, people who frequently used CBD reported experiencing less severe and longer periods of sleeplessness. This particular study was not specifically designed to demonstrate a link between CBD and insomnia, but to test the hypothesis that CBD may benefit sleep latency in patients with chronic pain.
Is this the first evidence that CBD can benefit sleep? Not by any means. As one might expect, there are many unanswered questions surrounding the potential use of cannabis, as well as CBD oil and general healthy conditions. Most recently, a cross-sectional study comparing people with Fibromyalgia and chronic pain found no difference in the level of CBD they absorbed, suggesting that CBD does not cause significant differences in perceived time to fall asleep or wake up.
Another area of ongoing research involves the relationship between CBD and mood disorders. One ongoing study comparing individuals with mild to moderate depression and healthy non-depressed individuals found that the combination of CBD and anti-anxiety medication was effective in reducing depressive symptoms. The reduction in depressive symptoms was particularly apparent when the anti-anxiety medication was combined with the CBD oil. This represents a relatively new development, however. Other ongoing studies also indicate that CBD may be effective in combating various types of anxiety, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and specific phobias.
Clinical trials examining the effects of CBD on anxiety and depression are currently underway. These trials, however, are examining the effects of CBD on symptoms of those two conditions alone; it is unclear whether CBD can alleviate the symptoms of both conditions when taken separately. Further clinical trials are examining CBD’s ability to alleviate specific types of psychiatric symptom, including sleepiness, nausea, tics, muscular spasms, and delusions.
In the United States, CBD is considered illegal due to federal laws against the cultivation, sale, and possession of the plant. Despite this classification, CBD oil is still widely available on the internet and in retailers across the country. Since CBD is not considered addictive, it is unlikely that it would be considered a gateway drug; therefore, it is possible that its ability to alleviate symptoms of certain mental health disorders could have been limited by federal law.
Both depression and anxiety tend to be associated with a number of chemical changes within the human body. One of the primary chemical changes involved in depression is a reduction in the levels of two neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine. It is believed that the introduction of CBD into the body could reverse the process of chemical neurotransmission and allow the levels of these neurotransmitters to be restored to normal. In addition to the effects described above, CBD is believed to be an anti-anxiety medication and can relieve anxiety by reducing brain activity. The ongoing research on CBD and its relationship to human health should continue to reveal its ability to positively affect a wide range of chronic health conditions.
Recent clinical studies on CBD show that it has the ability to interact with the human body’s fatty acids and adiponectin receptors. These two receptors play a key role in the regulation of energy, mood, appetite, and appetite. The fatty acids and adiponectin act on the two CB1 receptors to counteract the effects of dopamine. The endocannabinoid content within the CBD retinoid molecule acts directly on fat and adiponectin receptors to reverse the effects of negative moods and feelings. Because of these potential benefits, CBD is currently being used to treat a number of different human conditions, including depression, epilepsy, nausea, cancer, and glaucoma.
The fact that CBD is a plant compound means that it can be administered in a safe manner just as food is. Medical cannabis users have reported success with oral consumption, sprays, and even inhalation. This makes CBD a very versatile medical treatment option. Many patients report complete symptom relief from the treatment and there is no need to ingest large doses to achieve the same results. For those who are concerned about the possible side effects of CBD use, there is little evidence to indicate that CBD oil for health has negative consequences.
