5 Reasons to Use CBD

Cannabidiol (or CBD) is a naturally occurring chemical compound in the cannabis plant. CBD directly impacts the endocannabinoid system and studies show it can help regulate major bodily functions and systems. If you’re on the fence about whether CBD is right for you, here are five benefits and reasons you may want to start a CBD regimen: 

1. CBD may reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

   Scientists believe the main receptors in our body that CBD interacts with are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are primarily found in the nervous system and scientists believe CBD may affect these specific receptors by altering serotonin (the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood). Several scientific studies show evidence that CBD promotes a calming effect in the central nervous system. This may lead to less people relying on pharmaceuticals to control their anxiety and depression.
   
   

2. CBD may help relieve symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(or PTSD).

   As many as 10% of people experience PTSD at some point in their life. Common pharmaceutical treatments for PTSD are often shown to be ineffective and at the cost of substantial side effects for users. Clinical studies show CBD to be effective in altering aspects of traumatic memories by activating CB1 receptors resulting in the improvement of PTSD symptoms.
   
   

3. CBD may help treat addiction.

   It is no surprise that with the ongoing opiate epidemic in the United States, there is also a huge surge in heroin use disorder. Addicts in the process of recovery are typically prescribed pharmaceuticals such as Suboxone and methadone to help reduce cravings. However, these medications are difficult for some users to obtain and often abused as they produce a euphoric feeling. In a clinical trial published by the American Journal of Psychiatry, individuals taking a CBD medication report having less drug cravings after being exposed to videos showing drug related activity than those receiving a placebo.
   
   

4. CBD may help reduce pain and inflammation.

   A staggering 50-116 million adults in the US deal with chronic pain according to the National Institutes of Health. The treatment and medications given to those who deal with chronic pain are highly addictive and come with an array of risk factors and side effects. Arthritis is among the top causes of chronic pain in adults. Cannabinoids are thought to be an anti-inflammatory, although there’s much more research to be done on the relationship between CBD and inflammation. The idea is that CBD alters inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory enzymes in the body called cytokines. In a scientific study published in the European Journal of Pain, when given topical CBD gel, inflammation and pain due to arthritis both decreased.
   
   

5. CBD may help with insomnia and trouble sleeping.

   By far one of the most popular reasons our customers turn to CBD is to help improve their quality of sleep. Anxiety can cause restless nights, which can then turn into more anxiety and more restless nights, quickly becoming a vicious cycle. As many as one-third of Americans report sleeping less than 6 hours a night. In a scientific study published by the Permanente Journal, evidence shows that CBD helps tackle the root causes of insomnia, whether it be anxiety, or pain. The correlation between CBD and its effects on sleep is still being researched, but it is thought that CBD lowers cortisol levels in the body, thus acting as a sedative for those who struggle with sleep and experience high levels of cortisol at night.

While the potential benefits of CBD are plentiful, there are a few mild side effects people may experience when taking it. Although rare, they include: drowsiness, dry mouth, lightheadedness, nausea and diarrhea. It is important to note that we strongly encourage checking with a physician before quitting or cutting down on any prescribed medications and also to make sure CBD will not interact with any medications you are currently taking. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to us at customerservice@ross.farm!

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Written by Rachel Hunter