Many people are familiar with the health benefits of CBD oil and its many uses. But did you know that CBD flower can be just as beneficial?
It may sound counterintuitive, but studies have shown that buy hemp flower online has benefits that go beyond simply relieving stress or anxiety. It also helps treat pain, inflammation, PTSD, and more.
In this article, we’ll cover all six surprising benefits of CBD flower you may not know about.
1. Treats Anxiety and Stress
If you suffer from a lot of stress, anxiety, or panic attacks, adding CBD to your daily routine may help you feel better.
CBD is known for relaxing the body and calming the mind, and it works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in your brain. The ECS regulates everything from mood to appetite, so when you use CBD, it affects these functions.
Research suggests that CBD reduces anxiety and stress-related behaviors like increased heart rate and blood pressure. In fact, some studies found that CBD actually improves sleep quality, which is often negatively impacted by stress.
One study published in 2018 looked at how CBD affected the body’s response to acute stressors. They found that CBD reduced blood pressure and cortisol levels while increasing feelings of relaxation and calmness. This effect was even seen after only 10 minutes!
Not only does CBD reduce stress, anxiety, and panic attacks, it may reduce symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A 2019 study found that a single dose of CBD reduced the number of intrusive memories that veterans suffering from PTSD experienced over time. This suggests that CBD could be an effective treatment for those who have been traumatized and are unable to deal with their traumatic experiences on their own.
2. Relieves Pain
Cannabidiol is also known for treating pain. Research has shown that CBD interacts with certain receptors in our bodies to relieve pain. These receptors include TRPV1, CB1, and TRPA1, which respond to cannabinoids like THC and CBD.
This interaction with cannabinoid receptors has proven helpful for treating chronic pain. For example, in one 2016 meta-analysis, researchers concluded that “for neuropathic pain, the evidence is robust” and that CBD “has an excellent safety profile with no significant side effects.”
Another 2017 review of clinical trials confirmed the effectiveness of CBD in reducing pain caused by different conditions like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, back pain, and neuropathy. A 2018 systematic review showed similar results, suggesting that CBD may be a good option for treating pain due to cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and other medical conditions.
While CBD isn’t the only way to treat pain, it does seem to work well for some people. And since CBD doesn’t cause any psychoactive effects, there won’t be any of the “high” associated with traditional opiates or opioids. So if you’re looking for a natural alternative to prescription drugs, CBD might be worth a try.
3. Helps Control Appetite
Anxiety, depression, stress, and pain can make you feel very hungry. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, you may be tempted to eat more than you meant to. CBD helps control appetite and hunger.
Since CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the body, it affects the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. When these chemicals interact with specific receptors in the hypothalamus, they send signals that regulate eating behavior.
For instance, research has shown that CBD increases satiety in mice. One study published in 2017 used CBD to treat obese mice, resulting in a 40% reduction in weight loss compared to placebo-treated mice. Another study conducted in 2015 found that CBD decreased food intake and increased metabolic efficiency in rats.
These findings suggest that using CBD may help people lose weight without feeling hungry or lacking energy. However, more research needs to be done before we can say whether CBD is truly effective at controlling appetite.
4. Alleviates Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal bodily process that occurs whenever your body encounters harmful substances or infections. While inflammation can occur anywhere in the body, it usually occurs in the joints where the immune system identifies pathogens and starts producing antibodies.
When your body produces too much of these antibodies, it sends them throughout the bloodstream to attack invaders like bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, the inflammation process itself causes damage to healthy cells and tissues, leading to swelling and discomfort.
Fortunately, CBD can help ease inflammation. Several animal studies have shown that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties decrease the size of joint injuries and protect cartilage in the long term.
Researchers have also found that CBD decreases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and CCL2.
In addition to helping alleviate inflammation, CBD may improve the function of damaged joints. One study published in 2018 found that CBD improved the recovery of damaged muscle tissue after exercise. Since CBD interacts with CB2 receptors in your muscles, it may help prevent muscle soreness and promote faster recovery.
5. Improves Sleep Quality
Sleep deprivation can lead to a host of problems, including mental fatigue, low productivity, and poor decision making. Fortunately, CBD can help improve sleep quality.
The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in regulating sleep cycles. As mentioned above, CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the hypothalamus to regulate appetite and metabolism during sleep. Other research shows that CBD can increase sleep duration and REM sleep.
Some studies have suggested that CBD improves sleep quality in children with autism spectrum disorders, postpartum depression, and insomnia. However, more research must be done before we can draw strong conclusions about CBD and sleep.
6. Fights Cancer
Although CBD isn’t approved by the FDA for treating cancer, several studies demonstrate promising results. CBD may inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, meaning that it suppresses the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. It may also help kill cancerous cells by inducing apoptosis (cell death), inhibiting angiogenesis (the development of new blood vessels), and suppressing cell proliferation.
There are ongoing studies being funded to learn more about CBD’s potential to fight cancer. Although preliminary results aren’t great, they do show promise. Scientists hope that continued research will eventually produce clinically useful treatments.
7. Reduces Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a serious condition that affects many adults over 65 years old. It destroys brain cells and causes memory loss and cognitive decline. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s remains unclear, but genetics, age, and environmental factors play a major role.
Several studies have shown that CBD slows down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have also found that CBD prevents amyloid beta protein (Aβ) from forming plaques in the brain. Because Aβ is a toxic substance that damages neurons, removing it from the body could slow the development of Alzheimer’s.
More research is needed to determine what CBD does to prevent Alzheimer’s, but preliminary results are promising. Some studies have shown that CBD may reverse the damage caused by Alzheimer’s.
