Cannabidiol (CBD) products derived from the hemp plant is popular among people due to their multitude of therapeutic and health benefits. CBD along with THC are the two major cannabinoids naturally found in the cannabis plant. It is gaining popularity due to its safety profile and minimal side effects. It is a natural alternative to pharmaceutical painkillers, and there is no risk of developing an addiction. Besides, it is preferred by those who are into naturopathy because of its herbal origin; read on to know more about this.
What Is Naturopathy?
In naturopathy, natural medicines and techniques are used for boosting the body’s healing powers. As a result, it makes use of different therapies like herbal medicine, acupuncture, massages, nutritional counseling, and so on. CBD health benefits make it a perfect candidate to be used in this form of treatment.
How CBD Works In Our Bodies?
Cannabidiol imparts its effects by positively influencing the endocannabinoid system (ECS) by interacting with its receptors CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are more concentrated in the central and peripheral nervous systems, while CB2 receptors are mainly part of the immune system. The ECS is made up of a network of chemical messengers spread throughout our body, and it is common to all vertebrate mammals. Deficiency in this system makes us sick because the body loses its equilibrium. Consuming or using CBD products helps to restore the balance because cannabinoids are similar in structure and function to the endocannabinoids naturally produced by our body.
When you consume CBD orally for medical purposes in the form of oils, pills or capsules, etc., it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive system. From there, it is carried into the liver to be metabolized by a family of enzymes called Cytochrome P450 (CYP450). This produces both useful and unwanted metabolites. The useful ones are available for the ECS to produce CBD’s therapeutic and medical effects; the unwanted ones are eliminated out of the body. Besides, when you apply CBD topical products, it interacts with the CB2 receptors of the skin giving localized relief.
Is Cannabidiol (CBD) Legal?
The US Farm Act of 2018 legalized the industrial cultivation of the hemp plant and products derived from it like CBD oil. Even though it is legal at the federal level, its legality varies across states. In some states it is illegal, in some it is legal, while in some others it is legal with restrictions, i.e. it can only be purchased for medical purposes, and this requires a prescription from a registered medical practitioner.
In legalized places, CBD is readily available from pharmacies, supermarkets, and local grocery stores. Because of the state-wise variation in the legality of CBD, it is important to familiarize yourself with the state marijuana rules to avoid any legal trouble. Besides, you must be especially careful about this when purchasing cannabidiol products online.
CBD Health Benefits In Naturopathy
CBD oil is the most popular cannabidiol item used for therapeutic and medical purposes because of the flexibility with which it can be used. As a result, it is the major ingredient in CBD products like creams, balms, capsules, and edibles. Listed below are the major benefits of using CBD oil in naturopathy.
Pain Relief: Cannabidiol (CBD) is mainly popular for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It can be consumed orally for systemic relief from discomforts, and it can be applied topically to get localized relief. Apart from this, it has a good anti-inflammatory effect that is useful for reducing inflammation and pain due to it. Because of this dual effect, CBD oil is useful for treating both neuropathic and nociceptive pain. A combination of THC and CBD is used for treating severe pain due to multiple sclerosis and arthritis. This results in increased mobility of patients suffering from these conditions. Besides, nowadays, more people are using it to treat neuropathic pain due to shingles and sciatica.
Cardiovascular Health: Due to CBD’s anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects, consuming CBD oil decreases high blood pressure. Besides, it is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help to reduce vascular inflammation that is the major cause of cardiovascular diseases like stroke, heart attack, arrhythmia, etc.
Reducing Anxiety And Stress: Consuming CBD oil reduces anxiety and stress because it improves neurological functioning. It increases the levels of two important neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin, and anandamide. The former regulates important homeostatic functions of our body including behavior, and the latter improves mood. This effect is achieved by CBD acting as a reuptake inhibitor of these neurotransmitters at the synaptic cleft between neurons.
On a final note, you must know that cannabidiol (CBD) is useful for treating the symptoms of diseases, but it cannot cure them. Before using it, you must consult with your physician because its effectiveness varies between people due to differences in their physiology.