The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant to be a substitute for or an alternative to information from healthcare providers. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. All use cases presented in this article are based upon ongoing scientific studies and/or are the most reported use-cases by consumers.
CBD oil has a wide range of uses that have been known for years, but because of its more recent widespread use and acceptance, more is being discovered about its benefits every day.
Here are 17 of the most common use cases for CBD:
Inflammation
The most common use for CBD oil is in the treatment of inflammation. It is also the most widely researched use case. CBD has been shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory. Inflammation within the body is common, but it can also be an early warning sign of heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Alzheimers, and more. Reducing inflammation can take stress off of your body and joints and could help relieve other symptoms that are potentially caused by inflammation.
Pain
We all suffer from every day pain and discomfort - it’s part of life. Some people suffer more than others from chronic pain, such as joint or back pain. CBD may help with treating pain indirectly by enhancing anandamide (associated with pain regulation), which is naturally present in the body, by inhibiting the enzyme that normally degrades it. As a bonus, anandamide is known to promote a feeling of well-being and happiness.
Another type of pain that has been investigated is nerve pain, or neuropathy, which is the result of damaged or irritated nerves. A recent study shows that CBD oil may help with neuropathy because it targets the a3 glycine receptors. While the jury is still out on how exactly this works - more studies need to be done - we do know that people with nerve pain, like those with multiple sclerosis, have found relief through CBD oil.
Anxiety & Stress
A 2019 study on sleep and anxiety found that when subjects were given a 25mg CBD capsule each day, 79% experienced lower levels of anxiety and 66% experienced better sleep. One of CBD’s most well-known features is the ability to help the user relax and destress. A little bit of CBD, taken in many different forms, may help to reduce anxiety and bring about a feeling of calm and wellness.
Sleep
Many people experience difficulty sleeping as a result of dealing with different types of pain, increased levels of stress and anxiety, or other health related issues. As mentioned, studies show that sleep may be improved by the use of CBD; and for someone potentially suffering from a combination of these issues, turning to the use of CBD may be even more desirable.
Blood Pressure
In another recent study, correlations between CBD and blood pressure were examined. Two groups were evaluated, one being test subjects who were given CBD and the other being a control group with a placebo. All subjects were exposed to stressors that would induce a higher blood pressure. The study concluded that a dose of CBD was helpful to reducing blood pressure.
Make sure to talk to your doctor about drug interactions before starting a CBD regimen.
Nausea
CBD oil has been studied for potential anti-nausea properties. Nausea is common - it can be acute or prolonged. It can be caused by an underlying disease, or just brought on by something simple, like stress. Research on CBD oil has even expanded into treating patients that are experiencing side effects from cancer therapies, like radiation or chemotherapy. CBD oil may be what you need to reduce that uneasy feeling in your stomach.
Skin Conditions
We have talked about many uses for CBD oil for internal use, but did you know that it might help your skin too? Skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis are an inflammatory response by your immune system. Since CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory, it could potentially reduce painful, itchy symptoms caused by skin conditions. CBD has even been shown to reduce acne!
Bones
CBD oil has been researched and could potentially block the enzyme that kills the body’s bone-building compounds - so bones could heal faster!
Diabetes
In a study of 4,600 participants, it was shown that those using cannabis had fasting insulin levels 16% lower than those who didn’t use it. Not only that, but their HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) was higher, and their insulin-resistance levels were roughly 17% lower.
Brain Health
CBD and other antioxidants in cannabis have been shown to help reduce glutamate toxicity. This toxicity can damage the brain cells, leading to possible cell death. While the results of the studies aren’t 100% conclusive and further research is needed, the possibilities are intriguing.
CBD may protect nerve cells from deteriorating, and a study from Frontiers in Pharmacology found that CBD can significantly decrease the negative effects of Alzheimers and also improve cognitive ability.
Addiction
CBD oil has been shown to have addiction-recovery effects particularly for cocaine, opioids, and psycho-stimulants. There is also evidence that CBD use may reduce the desire for nicotine. One study investigated CBD vape products as a way to quit using nicotine. Those who used CBD had less nicotine withdrawal symptoms than those who didn’t.
Epilepsy
A study from the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the use of CBD oil decreased seizures by 23% more than those who took placebos. There is also now even an FDA-approved drug containing CBD, called Epidiolex, which is used to treat two rare forms of epilepsy: Dravet Syndrome and Gastaut Syndrome.
PTSD
CBD oil has been shown to reduce the nature of PTSD attacks. A preliminary study has shown that the use of CBD oil, in conjunction with psychological therapy, has reduced the severity of the test subjects' attacks over the course of eight weeks.
Digestion and Weight Loss
CBD may be beneficial for the microbiome that exists in the gut, and can help with digestion issues such as appetite, hunger, salivation, and satiety. It has also been shown to help those with chronic digestive problems, including those with Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and colitis.
There is also some evidence that CBD can help with weight loss. One 2015 study correlated chronic pain and obesity, and suggested that since CBD may lower chronic pain, it may also potentially aid in weight loss. Another study conducted with animals showed that CBD may decrease appetite and increase metabolism.
CBD For Children
CBD has been studied for its possible uses for children, and while the science is still preliminary, there are some promising opportunities. One of the best is the use of CBD for children with autism. One study of 188 children with autism, ages 5 to 18, found that some symptoms, such as seizures, restlessness and rage attacks, were lessened.
Further small studies have been done into calming ADHD and anxiety in children, and while the results thus far are anecdotal, they do show potential. A 2016 study backed up the suggestion that CBD can help with sleep and anxiety for children, and a 2013 study showed that CBD for anxiety can help with regulatory control.
CBD for the Elderly
Seniors are turning to CBD for pain relief, and one recent study showed that 51% of those 65 and older who used CBD oil for pain found a benefit from it. This is in addition to the potential benefits for Alzheimers and mental health conditions mentioned above. CBD may help seniors in both body and mind.
