What Are The Uses Of CBD Oil?
With its predicted revenue of around $134 million by the end of 2027 in India, CBD is indeed booming. Let us help you understand what is CBD and its effects by showcasing the common uses and applications of different CBD-infused products, such as CBD oil.
Even after its immense popularity, information about CBD or cannabidiol can be slightly confusing. How to ensure that the CBD products you are buying are legit? What are the potential health benefits? Is CBD even legal? Let us delve deeper.
What is CBD?
Our modern insight into CBD is derived from the wide range of products and their subsequent uses. CBD has become widely available in various products, from CBD-infused lattes at coffee shops to CBD facials at spas and CBD oils in beauty products.
According to a study report by HempWell, it was noted that almost 12,000 years ago, when Central Asia was experiencing an inflow of traders and nomadic travellers, cannabis seeds sprouted and eventually grew. Over the past millennia, we have understood both the medicinal applications and commercial value of this precious plant.
CBD serves to be a naturally-existing chemical that is found in the plant named Cannabis Sativa. Cannabis is a plant genus containing a wide range of compounds that might have different effects on the entire body. Marijuana and hemp are the two variants of the cannabis plant. CBD or Cannabidiol and THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol are two primary chemicals found in these plants. Marijuana typically contains higher levels of THC and lower levels of CBD, while cannabis generally contains higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC. Unlike THC, which creates a high sensation, CBD is not psychoactive. This is one of the major differences between CBD and THC.
Different Uses Of CBD Oil
CBD oil is a common form in which CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant, typically mixed with a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil. Out of 60% of individuals claiming they have used CBD, over half of them used CBD tinctures or oils specifically.
People use CBD oil for a wide range of applications, particularly to deal with specific medical conditions. Usually, most individuals feel that CBD tolerance is quite good and the overall experience delivers only minimal side effects. Unlike THC, CBD oil is not known to bind to cannabinoid receptors in the body readily. Endocannabinoids are regarded as signalling molecules that help regulate different processes -including immunity, mood, stress, memory, and pain. Some additional uses of CBD oil are:
1. CBD Oil for Pain Management
In 2020, a small, randomized placebo-controlled study or trial was conducted on a group of individuals by Medical News Today on the pain-relieving outcomes of using CBD oil. The study examined the topical uses of CBD oil on people who had peripheral neuropathy in the legs. In this study, participants who experienced peripheral, non-cancerous neuropathic discomfort and pain received around 250 mg of CBD in the form of oil. After consuming the same for around 4 weeks, it was observed that they experienced a significant reduction in the overall pain and itchy sensations. The best part was, they did not even encounter any side effects.
Another study report revealed that the combination of CBD and THC in the proportion of 1:1, when sprayed in the mouth’s back (with the help of a pharmaceutical product named Sativex), might be effective for chronic pain associated with non-cancerous conditions. The spray contains a mix of CBD and THC and may also have anti-inflammatory properties. Another study conducted on a group of individuals who had rheumatoid arthritis revealed that Sativex helped in the reduction of inflammation significantly.
When CBD is introduced topically, CBD oil is not known to portray any systematic issue as it might have when introduced directly into the bloodstream. Rather, topical CBD tends to be highly localized while treating pain and inflammation in specific areas. As topical CBD tends to be more direct, it can have a highly pronounced effect.
Some of the common pains and discomforts that can be dealt with the help of CBD oils are:
- Neuropathic pain
- Chronic pain
- Arthritis pain
- Inflammatory pain
- Muscle & joint pain
- Migraine headaches
2. CBD Oil for Anxiety & Depression
CBD may be a helpful treatment for managing symptoms of anxiety. CBD can tell your body to calm down while reminding you that you are safe. It helps in mellowing out the nervous system. Therefore, you are not always in the heightened response state of ‘fight or flight.’
Due to this reason, people experiencing anxiety and depression find that CBD oil helps in relaxing them significantly. The overall ability of CBD oil to bring about a state of calm is one of the most popular effects. Therefore, the reason for its use is immensely widespread. A recent study on a group of people tested their anxiety levels in a state of a simulated public speaking event or test. Some of the individuals received a placebo. On the other hand, some others were given around 150 mg, 300 mg, or even 600 mg of CBD before they went ahead to give the public speech.
It was observed that individuals who had received 300mg of CBD experienced a significant reduction in overall anxiety compared to those who received the placebo or lower doses of CBD. At the same time, it was found that participants who had received 150 mg or 600 mg of CBD experienced more anxiety in comparison to the group receiving 300 mg.
CBD oil has revealed promising outcomes for specific mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
3. CBD Oil for Neurological Disorders
Researchers believe that the ability of CBD oil to act upon the endocannabinoid system of the human body and other types of brain-signalling systems will deliver a host of benefits for those experiencing neurological disorders. Several studies analyzed the applications of CBD oil in the treatment of neurological disorders like Multiple Sclerosis and epilepsy. For instance, Sativex has been known to deliver an effective and safe way to minimize muscle spasticity in people experiencing MS. It is believed to have reduced spasms in around 75 per cent of a group of 250 people studying MS.
CBD has also been studied for its treatment related to improving the overall quality of life as well as sleep quality in people experiencing Parkinson’s disease.
4. CBD Oil for Cancer Patients
Cannabinoids such as CBD have the potential to modulate some of the most common and debilitating symptoms of cancer and side effects of its treatments, including nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and pain. They do so by interacting with neuro-receptors that are found in your central and peripheral nervous system
There are multiple studies that highlight these therapeutic benefits. For example , A study published in Sage Journals, a reputed onco focussed medical journal, concluded that cannabinoids are a safe and effective treatment to improve quality of life of cancer patients.
Another study was conducted on a group of 177 people who experienced cancer-specific pain and had not experienced relief from pain-reduction medication. The same group of patients were given an extract featuring compounds of both THC and CBD. It was observed that patients experienced a major reduction in overall pain -especially those who received both compounds, in comparison to those who received only THC medication. There are multiple such
5. CBD Oil for Skin & Hair
In specific studies, particular cannabinoids depict anti-itching, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-ageing properties. According to experts, these effects take place when the drug starts interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system -especially on the skin.
Some of the particular skin-related conditions that can be treated with the use of CBD are:
- Itchy skin
- Skin cancer
- Atopic dermatitis
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Pain
Cell-based studies revealed that CBD helps in preventing some of the functions of the skin’s sebaceous glands that contribute to acne.
As inflammation and excessive sebum are characteristics of skin-related problems like acne, topical CBD products can serve as effective treatment options for acne and prevent or minimize future breakouts.
6. CBD Oil for Sleep
CBD oil is effective in safely treating anxiety -including PTSD and sleeplessness. CBD oil can act on the receptors of the brain for serotonin -a type of neurotransmitter for regulating mood as well as social behaviour. It has similar functions to that of an anti-depressant. However, CBD is more natural.
7. CBD Oil for Addiction Treatment
Experts believe that CBD oil can help ensure addiction treatment and management. It helps in reducing the amygdala, a specific brain area connected to addiction. Cravings for specific drugs come up when exposed to a specific cue. Therefore, minimising the cravings during cues can help you abstain from a substance or behavior to which one is addicted.
8. CBD Oil for Pets
CBD has also revealed benefits for animals in a wide range of conditions -including inflammatory properties, anxiety, pain relief, and seizures. Using CBD oil for ensuring pet health is based on the ECS or Endocannabinoid System. The ultimate objective of ECS is achieving as well as maintaining balance across all processes of the body.
FAQs Related Uses of CBD Oil
Q1. Is CBD oil an effective treatment for chronic pain?
Studies explain that CBD, in addition to THC, serves as a useful pain reliever for a wide range of chronic conditions.
Q2. How does CBD oil compare to other pain medications?
CBD offers an alternative solution for individuals who have chronic pain and rely on medications -like opioids, that could be habit-forming and cause more side effects.
Q3. Can CBD oil be used for acute pain, such as post-surgery pain?
In a study, it was observed that patients who received CBD on the first day of operation experienced around 23 per cent less pain as analyzed by the VAS or Visual Analog Scale score in comparison to patients who received a placebo. It highlighted that in cases of patients who experienced moderate pain, CBD can deliver a major benefit.
Q4. Is it safe to use CBD oil for pain relief long-term?
A simple rule is that for treating chronic pain, you can take CBD on an everyday basis. However, consult your healthcare expert for the same.
Q5. How quickly does CBD oil start to work on pain relief?
You can start feeling the effects of CBD oil for pain relief within a few minutes. The effects of CBD oil might vary from one individual to another.
Q6. Can CBD oil help with nerve pain?
There are reports that CBD helps with neuropathy pain. The role of CBD in easing this type of pain is an acceptable alternative to other pain relievers.
Conclusion
Thanks to the buzz surrounding the CBD industry, CBD-infused products are gaining awareness and selling rapidly. By 2024, it is estimated that $12 billion worth of CBD products, including CBD oils, creams, and more, will be sold globally.
People use CBD and other associated products for various reasons from managing seizures, controlling anxiety, and minimizing pain. Consult a health expert to understand its benefits and how it can help you.