As the beloved marijuana plant spreads far and wide across the country, more and more Canadians are becoming familiar with the potential benefits of CBD. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound found inside the cannabis plant. And over the years, we’ve learned that when isolated, CBD has some serious potential when it comes to improving our health and wellbeing.

When either inhaled, eaten or spread topically on our skin, the CBD compound interacts with neuroreceptors in our nervous system and sends signals to our cells. This process has been found to encourage all sorts of impressive results, creating a positive impact on our mood, ability to move, and immune system.

CBD is a 100% natural and legal remedy. So before even diving into the benefits, CBD starts out on a stronger footing than its pharmaceutical competitors, some of which are known to be addictive, full of chemicals, and prone to produce side-affects. CBD can also come with side-affects, but they’re generally considered mild, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, or drowsiness and fatigue. If you’re planning on using CBD, be sure to consult with your doctor first, as certain medications may not mix so well with CBD products.

In this article, we’ll highlight some of the most promising and beneficial ways CBD products can make an impact on your health and wellbeing:

Treat Epilepsy & Seizures

The most tried and true benefit of using CBD is for the treatment of certain epilepsy syndromes. In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first ever medication made with CBD to help people with the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. This medication called Epidiolex has proven to be effective in reducing the frequency of seizures when compared with a placebo, therefore improving quality of life.

This FDA approval creates a positive outlook for cannabis and CBD going forwards, plenty of other research is underway for CBD products used to treat other conditions.

Alleviate PTSD Symptoms

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event that was either experienced or witnessed earlier in life. PTSD has long been connected soldiers returning home from war, but in reality, the condition is quite widespread, affecting everyday people who experience car crashes, attacks, and other terrifying events.

In 2018, a small study was done on PTSD patients and published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. What they found is that CBD was able to decrease the PTSD symptoms of 91% of the people in the study. While the study was certainly small, we do know that CBD has the potential to help people get a better night sleep. For PTSD patients, getting a good night’s sleep more frequently with fewer nightmares and disruptions is highly beneficial.

Relieve Chronic Pain

Nearly 8 million Canadians are living with chronic pain, which is described as an “unpleasant sensory and (or) emotional experience typically associated with physical damage to the body” by the Canadian Government.

The good news is CBD is showing very promising results when it comes to treating people with chronic pain, and it’s likely been used for hundreds (or even thousands) of years to do just that. Starting around 2900 B.C. in China, people have been using cannabis and CBD to treat joint pain and muscle spasms.

In one 2021 study, CBD products were shown to reduce the chronic pain of 59% of individuals, while 67% were able to reduce the amount of pain medications they were taking. In another 2020 study, the CBD was able to generate “significant symptom and pain relief”.

Help Ease Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety and depression are the most widespread conditions mentioned in this article, affecting millions of people across the country every day. And according to the World Health Organization, these disorders increased 25% over the course of the pandemic.

In a 2019 study, CBD was used to treat 72 adults suffering from anxiety. Within the first month, anxiety scores decreased among 79% of participants and sleep scores improved in two thirds of participants. While it may be difficult to measure a change in symptoms of anxiety and depression, a good night’s sleep is one of the best factors that we can actually track.

CBD treatments may be extra promising for people suffering from anxiety and depressions, because the alternatives are not so great. Commonly prescribed medications like benzodiazepines have the potential for dependence and can lead to substance abuse. Plus, the side-affects of these pharmaceutical solutions are often more serious.

Reduce Complications of Diabetes

Diabetes is another condition on the rise in Canada and the US, particularly among younger people. Diabetes is a chronic condition that complicates your body’s ability to turn the food you eat into energy for your body and mind. The condition causes all sorts of issues, and can lead to disease of other organs, along with deteriorating vision, hearing and mental health.

Early studies on people and mice with diabetes indicate that CBD can reduce the effects of high glucose levels on other cells in the body. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of CBD have also proven beneficial for diabetes patients. In one study, CBD was able to reduce the instance of diabetes in mice, and in another it was used as an affective alternative to insulin. There is still plenty of research to be done, but the future is looking bright.

With plenty of cannabis and CBD research underway, there is lots of hope for people with chronic conditions, mental health disorders and other ailments. Progress has been made, and there’s certainly more to come on the horizon. But before you decide to begin treating yourself with CBD in substitute of traditional medicine, talk to your doctor. They may know something you don’t about the medications you’re taking or the condition you have.

If you’d like to try CBD, come on by Cheeky’s Cannabis and talk to our friendly and helpful staff. We’d be happy to help you find a topical cream, edible candy or oil that works best for you.