The chances are you have probably heard about CBD as the new alternative health treatment that has gained a lot of popularity lately.

In fact, its industry is flourishing so much that there are thousands of new CBD products and brands hitting the market every day.

Generally speaking, CBD’s popularity is mostly due to the increased research that has been done over the years.

The evidence so far shows how this naturally occurring substance is actually beneficial for overall physical and mental health. As a result, consumers are offered plenty of CBD products that can be used for treating a wide range of health conditions.

But first, what is CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is just one of the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its cousin compounds, CBD is best known for not providing consumers with the psychoactive effect of getting “high”.

So, before we move on to the six potential benefits cannabidiol offers, it is important that we explain the difference between THC and CBD so you will better understand the many uses of the CBD compound.

What’s The Difference Between THC vs. CBD?

Despite coming from the same plant, both compounds are actually very different in terms of their psychoactive components and the way they affect the endocannabinoid system.

Firstly, THC is the primary compound in the cannabis plant that produces the “high” effect when it is consumed.

However, CBD infused products have no more than 0.3% THC making them not psychoactive at all and in fact legal for use.

Secondly, both compounds interact differently with the endocannabinoid receptors in the human body.

For example, THC mostly binds with the CB1 receptors in the brain which results in a high or a sense of euphoria. On the other hand, CBD mainly interacts with the CB2 receptor and very weakly with the CB1 receptor.

In any case, both compounds can be consumed in many ways such as by inhaling, smoking, through edibles and topicals.

If you choose the smoking consumption method, make sure you store your cannabis properly in order to keep your product always cool and dry so its potency and flavor are optimal.

For example, having a cannabis stash box is a very common way to protect your cannabis product. No that we learned the difference, let’s dive into the health benefits.

6 Potential Health Benefits of CBD:

1. Reduces pain and inflammation.

Probably the biggest reason why CBD oil has become so popular is because it proved helpful in reducing pain and inflammation symptoms.

This is because the compound consists of anti inflammatory properties that help people who suffer from chronic back pain, muscle soreness and even arthritis.

CBD works by binding with the endocannabinoid receptors responsible for pain. When the interaction happens, CBD causes pain relieving effects by impacting the receptors’ activity which further results in reducing the inflammation.

That’s why cannabidiol is often used to alleviate muscle soreness after intense workout sessions. Also, the two most common types of arthritis can be treated with CBD.

Because in both conditions the symptoms include painful, swollen and stiff joints, the inflammation can be reduced by consuming a CBD product.

2. Eases anxiety and stress.

Between the long hours at work and the countless chores at home, there is a great chance that people will become tired or stressed out which can lead to more serious mental conditions such as anxiety. An effective way of reducing these symptoms is to use CBD oil.

The human body has endocannabinoid receptors that are responsible for various bodily functions and processes including mood and sleep. When people get anxious, usually their serotonin levels are low causing them to feel stressed out and exhausted.

So, a great way to manage that is to consume CBD oil which will interact with the endocannabinoid receptors and signal the brain to increase the serotonin levels. This can further help you get some sleep if you have troubles with sleeping disorders like insomnia.

3. It might help prevent cancer cell growth.

Although there is still ongoing research about the uses of CBD for cancer, so far the evidence shows that this naturally occurring substance can alleviate some cancer related symptoms.

These include nausea and vomiting which are usually results of chemotherapies. Another way how CBD has proven to be helpful in cancer treatment is by slowing down or preventing cancer cell growth.

Generally speaking, this health condition is caused by the growth and spread of abnormal cells which can either be malignant or tumor cells, and can destroy the body tissue. So, for females suffering from breast cancer, consuming CBD oil can have a modulatory effect on the multiplying and invasion of the cancer cells which can also lead to their death.

4. Fights against skin conditions.

Another major reason why CBD’s popularity continues to grow rapidly is because it can be used to fight against various skin disorders.

This is due to the anti inflammatory properties of cannabidiol which have proven to be helpful in treating acne, itching and other infections while improving the overall skin health.

For example, acne is one of the most common skin conditions in humans. An effective way of treating it is to use CBD topicals which will consist of oil reducing, anti inflammatory and anti microbial properties.

Because acne is usually a result of sebum, CBD can reduce the excess production of this oily substance.

Also, cannabidiol consists of antioxidant properties which can contribute to the aging process and prevent the appearance of wrinkles on the skin.

5. Promotes hair health.

Besides improving skin health, CBD oil can also be beneficial for the hair.

For example, if you are suffering from a dry and itchy scalp, this cannabidiol can certainly help you change that.

This is because CBD contains numerous nutrients such as fatty acids that have the ability to moisturize your hair shaft while reducing any inflammation symptoms you may be experiencing.

Also, CBD oil has proven helpful in promoting hair growth.

The fatty acids like omega 3 and omega 6 which are present in the compound lock in moisture and seal the cuticle.

This means that when you apply CBD on your hair, it will be absorbed by the scalp which will then stimulate hair growth.

And you may be surprised, but the results include long, thick and lustrous locks.

6. Pets can benefit too.

CBD oil can also provide many potential health benefits for pets.

They also have an endocannabinoid system with which CBD interacts and can help keep the body in a normal healthy state.

Similar to humans, CBD oil can help reduce pain and inflammation symptoms in dogs and cats due to the anti inflammatory properties.

So, if your furry friend is suffering from neuropathic pain, you can give them a few drops of CBD oil to reduce such discomfort.

Another health condition in pets that can be treated using this method is canine epilepsy.

This is the most common cause of recurrent seizures in dogs for which CBD can act as a healthier alternative treatment as opposed to other medications that may cause serious side effects in pets.

What to Remember:

With so many potential health benefits, it is no wonder why the CBD industry continues to grow rapidly.

Although there is still ongoing research about all uses of this naturally occurring substance, the studies so far show that CBD proves to be very promising for improving numerous physical and mental conditions.

So, if you want to become part of the CBD world, make sure you gather all information about it beforehand so you will have an idea of what kind of products you will need based on your condition.

Keep in mind that we do not advise or promote the usage of CBD in any type or form. We are just sharing information that some readers might find helpful. It’s always the smartest decision to consult with your doctor before making an important decision for your health.