Cannabis oil is sometimes also referred to as CBD oil or Cannabidiol. It is one of many compounds that is found in marijuana and other related plants. It is important to understand that CBD is not THC, THC is the compound in marijuana that gives a “high”, CBD on the other hand, is not psychoactive.
This means that CBD on its own can be seen as a good option to treat ailments without getting any of the mind-altering effects of marijuana. In fact, a lot of the CBD sold doesn’t even come from marijuana plants, instead it is extracted from industrial hemp plants that actually contain a larger amount of the compound.
The science behind cannabis, and it’s many components, is still in its infancy. It’s important to remember that the cannabis oil effects are still in research and that its effects have yet to be fully understood. Here are six interesting facts about cannabis oil effects:
1. Relieve Pain
Cannabis oil has been used as far back as 2900 BC, to relieve pain. More recently, studies have been conducted in relation to pain relief for multiple sclerosis, arthritis and chronic pain, and have found that a combination of CBD and THC can help reduce pain. Why do these cannabis oil effects occur? It’s because the CBD and certain other components of the oil act on the body’s endocannabinoid system.
This is a system that is responsible for many things in your body including the regulation of sleep, appetite, pain and immune response. CBD may act on this system, interacting with neurotransmitters, in order to reduce inflammation. Many pain medications, such as ibuprofen, are in fact anti-inflammatories. This is how cannabis oil also works to reduce pain.
Fun fact: Cannabis was used to treat inflammation in Ancient Egypt. The Ebers Papyrus from 1550B.C. makes a note of this.
2. Reduce Anxiety and Depression
A correlation has been found between the use of medical cannabis oil and a decrease in anxiety and depression. Meaning that CBD shows promise for treating depression. In fact, CBD acts on the brain’s serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is associated with our moods: it makes us feel good. Some studies with CBD on animals have shown positive results.
Studies have also shown positive results with humans, showing that CBD is effective at reducing anxiety. Further, CBD would have the advantage over other common medications for treating anxiety and depression as it has fewer side effects. Other medications are associated with drowsiness, agitation, headaches, etc… However, medical cannabis oil do not come with these effects, making it a very promising treatment.
3. Alleviate the Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
It can help reduce the nausea, vomiting and pain caused by chemotherapy. It reduces pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. While THC can reduce the nausea and vomiting often caused by chemotherapy. It can also help stimulate the appetite. That is very helpful for those undergoing cancer treatment, as they often lose their appetites due to nausea and may find it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. CBD and THC combined can help to solve these problems.
Fun fact: A doctor in the British East India Company, William O’Shaughnessy, who worked in both England and America, promoted the use of cannabis to treat nausea. He did this about 200 years ago.
4. Reduce Acne
This is related to its anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it can also reduce sebum production. This could reduce acne. Sebum is an oily substance that is secreted by our skin. It is produced for a reason: it is meant to protect our skin from the outside world. However, that world being what it is, many pollutants get caught in our sebum and then trapped in our pores.
It is this clogging that produces acne. Though there are many factors that influence the production of excess sebum, such as stress, diet and medications, CBD can help to prevent the overproduction of sebum and therefore reduce acne.
5. Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is associated with a risk for many conditions such as heart attacks and metabolic syndrome. Reducing blood pressure can be an important preventive measure. Many studies have already been carried out confirming the correlation between CBD consumption and a healthier heart, some have even found that CBD can even reduce some of the cell death associated with heart disease. More research is still needed in order to fully confirm this though.
6. Can Also Have Side Effects
Cannabis oil may have many benefits, but it can still have some side effects. As with most substances, it has its benefits and its downsides, all of which will vary from one individual to the other. Cannabis can cause diarrhea, changes in weight and appetite as well as fatigue. It can also interact with medications, so it’s very important that you check for any potential interactions with any medication you are taking before you start using it.
