Cannabis has been hailed as a miracle drug for many years. Recently, there’s been a shift in the conversation with more and more people using CBD instead of THC. CBD soft gels are an extract from cannabis that doesn’t make you high like the THC found in marijuana does. It can be a great relief from many common illnesses like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for “cannabidiol” which is one of over 100 compounds found in hemp and cannabis plants that have shown therapeutic effects but does not cause the euphoria or paranoia associated with marijuana use. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and cannabis.
What does it do?
Our body produces its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids. They help regulate the body’s immune system, manage pain, and serve as a natural antioxidant. CBD interacts with receptors in the brain that endocannabinoids don’t. While they can be produced naturally by our bodies, they can also be manufactured artificially through certain drugs and supplements. CBD oil has become very popular in recent years as people are looking for alternative ways to help their health without the sometimes harsh effects of traditional pharmaceuticals.
How does it work?
The exact ways in which CBD affects our bodies when taken as a supplement or consumed in oil form is not fully understood. The active compound in CBD is a cannabinoid called cannabidiol (CBD). CBD has been shown to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, and has many benefits that are simultaneously relaxing and activating. CBD users report feeling less anxious, improving their moods, feeling more relaxed without sedation, often experiencing increased sleepiness, and more capable of managing pain. There’s a notion that THC is the major active ingredient in marijuana. But CBD is actually the most active ingredient. It’s not intoxicating like THC so it doesn’t induce that familiar “high.”
Benefits of using CBD Oil
There are many ways in which CBD can improve your health. Here are just a few of the major benefits.
CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory which helps decrease swelling, pain, and irritation. It also reduces weakness in your muscles and joints as well as increases your range of motion. It also has antioxidant qualities that helps fight infections caused by bacteria as well as signs of aging caused by oxidative stress. These antioxidant qualities also help fight off free radical damage in the body.
CBD can help with many mental conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Studies have shown CBD to have an effect on the exact parts of the brain that deal with these conditions. It’s also been shown to increase serotonin and dopamine levels which are important neurotransmitters in the brain. An increase in these can give you a more positive mood and lead to a decrease in anxiety or depression symptoms.