I came across CBD oil recently and was immediately fascinated with the health benefits that it claims. You may have heard that marijuana has health benefits as well as the high it creates, well, CBD (Cannabidiol) Hemp oil has all the health goodies with none of the psychoactive illegal stuff (THC) and is legal in Hong Kong.
So first things first. The health benefits of CBD include:
improved sleep
correction of thyroid issues
weight loss
anti-inflammatory
pain relieving
anti-psychotic effects
reduces anxiety
alkalinizing
improved appetite
better moods
regulating hormones
improved immune response
helps fight cancer
may treat seizures and other neurological disorders
lowers incidence of diabetes
promotes cardiovascular health
alleviates IBS
reduces auto-immune symptoms
alleviates MS symptoms
helps alleviate skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne
In a nutshell it balances your body; if you are battling a chronic health condition, or have any of the above symptoms, you are likely to feel better. The benefits you get from taking it, may be completely different to your husband, wife or dog (yes even your pup can take it!)
The Science Bit
First discovered in the late 1980s, the endocannabinoid system regulates the body’s homeostasis, or the general state of balance. When stress, illness or the environment impacts us, the endocannabinoid system corrects by mediating our body’s reaction.
The endocannabinoid system is found in all mammals and is made up of millions of cannabinoid receptor sites located primarily through the brain and Central Nervous System (CB1 receptors) and immune system (CB2 receptors). However, our system doesn’t just rely on plant based cannabinoids, it’s capable of making its own; Anandamide and 2-AG are the body’s own endocannabinoids created to control communication between cells mediating your body’s functions.
The endocannabinoid system is one of the most important regulatory systems in the human body but most people do little to support the health of this system because cannabinoids have not been part of the average diet.
CBD has been the focus of over 23,000 peer reviewed published studies in relation to various conditions including anxiety, epilepsy, inflammation, cancer and chronic pain to name but a few, with positive results and very few side effects.
Will it Make me High?
CBD does not elicit a high feeling. The naturally low THC hemp plant, is a non-psychoactive variety of cannabis. Some oils contain higher concentrations of CBD than others, but as well as cannabidiol, it contains essentials vitamin,s minerals, fatty acids, terpenes, flavonoids.
Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most prominent cannabinoids found in Cannabis, the plant genus that includes both hemp and marijuana. The key difference between CBD and THC is whether the cannabinoid will cause a euphoric effect or ‘high’ when consumed. THC does and CBD does not.
Who would benefit from taking CBD oil?
Well, just about anyone really. Almost everyone has a condition or niggle that CBD could fix. Right now I’m experimenting on myself and on Cujo (my German Shepherd who has hip dysplasia). Watch this space for updates or shout me if you too would like to experiment! I have CBD oil currently in stock.
Here are a few resources for further info on CBD oil:
http://www.hempoilfacts.com/exploring-effects-of-cannabinoids-on-blood-pressure/.
https://bodyspartan.com/cbd-oil-is-the-next-big-thing-in-fitness-and-bodybuilding/
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cbd-oil-for-dogs/
https://www.leafly.com/news/health/cbd-for-treating-anxiety
https://www.leafly.com/news/health/cbd-weight-loss-metabolism