Cannabidiol (CBD) acts on the brain’s serotonin receptors and releases feel-good chemicals, helping elevate mood. However, research is underway to investigate how CBD does this, as the exact mechanism of action is not conclusive.
Because of its serotonin-boosting effect, CBD may be able to help people with psychological issues, including:
What is CBD?
CBD comes from the marijuana or cannabis plant and is the only ingredient that is used for medical purposes. Unlike marijuana, CBD alone does not give you a high. It does not have the potential to cause addiction or substance abuse.
Despite the many claims regarding the health benefits of CBD oil, not every claim has sufficient evidence to back it up. Moreover, although you can get CBD in most states, its legality is still somewhat in a grey area.
What are the potential uses of CBD oil?
Chronic pain
Animal studies have found CBD to be effective in treating chronic pain caused by arthritis and nerve damage (neuropathy). However, studies conducted on humans are needed to make them available for use in humans.
Childhood epilepsy syndrome
Some childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), fail to respond to the typical medications prescribed for epilepsy. Many studies have shown that CBD has the potential to reduce the frequency of seizures and even stop them altogether. The FDA has approved a CBD-containing medicine, Epidiolex, to treat children affected with these conditions.
Insomnia
According to some studies, CBD may help people suffering from insomnia by helping them fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer (7-9 hours straight).
Heart health
A 2017 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that CBD oil intake was linked to lowered blood pressure and improved cardiac efficiency in healthy adults who were exposed to stressors.
What are the potential risks of CBD?
While CBD has potential health benefits, it can also cause side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and irritability. And if you are taking other medications, CBD may interact negatively with them. For example, CBD can interact with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.
It’s also important to remember that since CBD is sold as a dietary supplement and not a medicine, the FDA does not regulate its safety or purity, nor are there specific recommendations as to dosages. Moreover, not all supplements mention the complete list of ingredients on their labels.
Because there is no guarantee that CBD products are safe or effective, it’s best consult your doctor before you take anything that contains CBD.
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowJadoon KA, Tan GD, O'Sullivan SE. A Single Dose of Cannabidiol Reduces Blood Pressure in Healthy Volunteers in a Randomized Crossover Study. JCI Insight. 2017;2(12). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28614793/
Top What Does CBD Do to You Related Articles
What Are the 8 Benefits of Taking CBD Oil Every Day?
Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid — any bioactive compound extracted from cannabis. The benefits of CBD oil include that it is beneficial for pain management, it prevents digestive disorders, it's useful for mental health, and other benefits.
Chronic Pain Syndrome: Treatment and Management for CPS
Do you suffer from excruciating pain? What is chronic pain syndrome (CPS)? See causes, symptoms and treatment options, including medications. Learn about pain management tips such as strength training, biofeedback, and yoga, as well as forms of chronic pain such as lower back pain, arthritis, and migraines.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Epidiolex (cannabidiol)
Epidiolex is a prescription medicine that is used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex in people 1 year of age and older. It is not known if Epidiolex is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age.
Epilepsy Slideshow
Learn about epilepsy symptoms and treatment for this seizure condition. Discover the definition of epilepsy, how epilepsy is diagnosed, epilepsy medications, and how epilepsy dogs help people with seizures.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
Marijuana (Cannabis)
Get the latest marijuana statistics and information. Learn its side effects and how this drug, also known as pot, affects the brain. Also, learn about medical marijuana for cancer patients and its indications.
Medical Marijuana (Medical Cannabis)
Medical marijuana (medical cannabis) is a medicine that is plant based. There are two species of medical marijuana; 1) Cannabis sativa, and 2) Cannabis indica. Medical marijuana is used to treat pain, nausea, anxiety, MS, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. Medical cannabis is legal in a variety of states in the US. A card or licence is required to purchase medical marijuana in states where it is legal; however, medical cannabis is against Federal law. Medical marijuana comes in a variety of products, for example, gummy bears and other candy, muffins, cookies, drinks, salves, ointments, creams, oils, and wax.
All About CBD Oil
Cannabidiol oil: It's made from marijuana and everyone seems to be talking about it. But what is it, and what does it really do?
15 Ways to Reduce Pain
Chronic pain can be a symptom of many conditions, including arthritis, headaches, and others. Comprehensive chronic pain management therapy may include physical therapy, lifestyle strategies such as exercise, diet changes, meditation, journaling, medications, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco use. Make helpful changes to manage your chronic condition.What Does Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Mean?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical found in marijuana or hemp (biologically known as Cannabis sativa). Over 80 chemicals known as cannabinoids have been identified in the Cannabis sativa plant.