How CBD can help you live a healthy, happy life

CBD oil has recently been garnering a lot of attention in the medical world, thanks to the increasing number of ailments that can potentially be improved with its use. For the average person suffering from anything from eczema to a headache, CBD could be the answer. 

While scientific testing is generally still in the early stages for CBD based treatments, initial findings are positive and the list of benefits seems to keep growing. Keep reading to discover how CBD can help you maintain a healthy, happy life.

How to Choose the right CBD for you

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The benefits of CBD are clear, and you don’t have to suffer from a serious disease to benefit from this apparent panacea, however, not all CBD is created equal. That is to say, as most CBD sales have only recently become legal across the United States, regulation is superficial at best, and it’s important to know how to choose the best CBD oil for your needs.

  You need to be sure that the CBD you are buying is what it says on the label. This means you want a clear idea of the origin of the oil, the extraction process and the concentration, which will allow you to establish the appropriate dosage for your needs. Buying from reputable, transparent suppliers is your best bet, and of course, always begin the process by chatting to your doctor, especially if you plan to use CBD in conjunction with existing medications.

Which areas CBD can help with

CBD has been shown to work on various systems within the body, either by regulating the responsiveness of receptors or boosting the efficacy of the body’s own systems in maintaining a healthy balance. Unlike THC, CBD has no hallucinogenic properties and is unlikely to cause addiction, making it ideal for both chronic and acute problems

Endocannabinoid system

Though the name is a bit of a mouthful, CBD has been proven to help reduce the symptoms related to problems within the endocannabinoid system. Studies show it seems to work by controlling the responses of certain receptors such as the CB1 receptors within the system and enhancing serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission. For the average person, this means CBD could help ease daily stress levels, like calming your nerves before a big presentation and it can ensure a night of more deep and restorative sleep. For others, this could mean relief from the symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and depression, promoting happiness and a sense of calm.

Inflammation

Most of us have experience basic day to day inflammation as the result of a strenuous workout at the gym or twisting an ankle of a loose step. CBD has been shown to offer anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidizing benefits which reduce the resulting pain and discomfort. This means by including CBD in your post-workout smoothy, you could avoid those tired achy muscles. The importance of CBD as an effective anti-inflammatory also has more far-reaching benefits for sufferers of chronic acne or eczema, and it helps to alleviate internal inflammation related to more severe illnesses like Alzheimers, cardiovascular disease and IBS

Pain

Pain is one of those overarching symptoms that can make life unbearable, yet its source is often hard to pinpoint. In fact, as much as 11% of the American population suffers from chronic pain, with no clear source or cure. To exacerbate the situation, pain is often accompanied by inflammation, so a treatment that handles both symptoms is the ideal: enter, CBD. 

In general, pain is experienced thanks to malfunctions in a3 glycine receptors, in the spinal cord and brain. CBD has been shown to reduce the pain experienced, by interacting with these receptors, reducing the signals sent to the brain and thus the extent of the pain. While this is not unique to CBD, once again, it has shown little to no side effects compared to traditional pain medications. With the added benefit of no risk of addiction, it could become a preferred treatment for everything from a headache to fibromyalgia, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.

Immune strength 

As we all know, a strong immune system is vital to a generally healthy life, and CBD has also been shown to provide support for immune cell growth and protection. Specifically, it helps to maintain T-cells, B-cells and other pathogen fighters that help to protect us from illness. while a compromised immune system may lead to cold for you or me, this could be especially groundbreaking for sufferers from autoimmune diseases including diabetes and IBS.

Addiction 

While it’s easy to believe the word addiction only applies to heroin addicts, the reality is that over 50 million Americans are addicted to Nicotine, and up to 5% of the adult population has been addicted to opioids at one point. Ironically, these addictions are predominantly a side effect of pain control medications prescribed for fairly common problems, like a toothache or injury recovery. In tests done on smokers hoping to quit, there was a 40% higher likelihood of success with the help of CBD oil. For this reason, it is believed CBD will also be effective in treating opioid addiction, by regulating the neural pathways that lead to withdrawal and craving. 

Gut health

Another beneficiary of a happy endocannabinoid system in the gut. Imbalances in the endocannabinoid system negatively affect gut health and can lead to anything from cramps to nausea. CBD has been found to reduce excessive gastric acid when binding to CB1 receptors, reducing acid reflux, and to be a strong anti-emetic (reduced nausea and vomiting). This is great news for those who suffer from heartburn or a random bout of nausea, but can also be helpful in treating the side effects of more harsh treatments such as chemotherapy.