There are many scientific studies related to the cannabis plant. It is composed of hundreds of natural ingredients. One of these ingredients is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a substance that can give you a temporary high. But unlike THC, there is another cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant that won’t make you feel “high” and may also improve chronic health issues.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the component of the cannabis plant marketed as a remedy for a variety of ailments in both humans and animals. There is still a lot of research needed, and several marketing campaigns prematurely promote CBD as the end-all solution to health problems. But despite the unsubstantiated claims, there are some scientifically proven benefits to using CBD and THC. Here are three ways you can use these cannabinoids to improve your quality of life.
Decrease Chronic Pain
Health conditions like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis involve chronic pain, which can be hard to treat. There are about two million people who are addicted to pain medication. People with diseases like these may deal with widespread or localized pain constantly.
Healthcare professionals work to provide effective treatments for patients dealing with chronic pain without subjecting them to opioid addiction. It can be challenging to find effective treatment. The person may still be in pain after exhausting all options. If you deal with chronic pain, you know how it affects your quality of life. Some day-to-day activities are harder or even impossible at times.
Constant pain can negatively affect your mood, blood pressure, mental state, and overall health. Cannabinoids may be able to provide some relief from pain as 25 percent of senior citizens suffer from chronic pain related to the musculoskeletal system. More clinical trials are being performed on CBD and THC to help combat the growing issue of prescription drug abuse.
The drug, Sativex, was studied as an effective agent for chronic neurological pain without inducing a euphoric state. The results of the study were promising. People were able to treat their pain and not get high using cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD may counteract the euphoric effects of THC. Research also showed that suddenly stopping the drug did not cause withdrawals. There is hope for CBD and THC’s appropriate use as pain analgesics!
If you live in a state or country that allows you to grow your cannabis plants at home, you should take advantage of the luxury. You have the opportunity to grow your own plants and extract CBD and THC oils to use for pain treatment. With the right grow equipment, you could have a natural pain reducer in your backyard. Once you have verified it’s legal, you should also check with your doctor before using cannabinoids for treatment.
Reduce Inflammation
Another benefit of cannabinoids, which contributes to pain relief, is a decrease in inflammation. Chronic inflammation in the body causes disease after an extended amount of time. Inflammation can cause joint and muscle pain and make you feel tired. If you want to improve your quality of life, you should focus on ways to eliminate or reduce inflammation.
A study performed on mice showed that CBD treatment helped reduce the presence of cytokines in the blood. Cytokines are the substances secreted by other cells in the body that stimulate an immune response, which leads to inflammation.
Your body’s natural immune response is necessary to keep you healthy. But when an inflammatory response happens with no threat, it creates an atmosphere conducive to disease over time. This is why it’s important to reduce chronic inflammation for optimal health.
If you suffer from inflammation, cannabinoids like THC and CBD may offer some relief. THC alone is twenty times more effective than aspirin at reducing inflammation! Both THC and CBD work together to provide the best results, so if you grow cannabis plants you will need to extract both oils and use them in a one-to-one ratio.
Decrease Anxiety and Depression
An anxiety or depressive disorder can be debilitating and lead to other health issues if not treated. Many people deal with anxiety, and like chronic pain, it can also be difficult to manage.
Studies show that CBD may treat anxiety and other mood disorders. More research is needed, but CBD may be a promising alternative to some synthetic anti-anxiety medications. If you suffer from anxiety and depression and you’re interested in natural remedies, CBD treatment may be worth trying.
Final Thoughts
The Cannabis plant contains hundreds of substances known as cannabinoids. The two most commonly studied cannabinoids are THC and CBD. Marketers in several industries have started promoting CBD as the solution for several health conditions. Although most of these claims have not been proven, there is some scientific research that offers hope.
Studies show that cannabinoids are effective at decreasing pain, reducing inflammation, and treating anxiety and depression. You should check regulations in your state or country and talk to your doctor before using cannabinoid treatment. But once you’re in the clear, you have the opportunity to benefit from a natural medicine cabinet in your yard.