CBD or Cannabidiol has become part of the health and wellness of millions of Americans. According to a new survey, one in seven Americans use products containing CBD, the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis.[1] Almost 62% of CBD users reported using CBD to treat a medical condition, with pain, anxiety, and depression cited as the top three reasons. [2] Generationally, millennial survey takers mostly use CBD products for anxiety (31%) as well as general wellness (30%). Gen X and Baby Boomers use CBD to help with joint pain (31% and 36%, respectively) and muscle pain (23% each). [3]
But just what is this CBD, and how does it work to help maintain health and wellness? CBD is one of the over 60 cannabinoids or naturally occurring chemicals found in industrial hemp and marijuana. Cannabinoids work with the body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of neurotransmitters that send chemical messages between the neurons or cells that transmit nerve impulses.
A properly functioning endocannabinoid system ensures that cells maintain optimum performance for your health and well-being. When something in your external environment causes a cell to become out of balance, the ECS comes into play to make immediate adjustments to bring things back into balance. That balance is called homeostasis.[4] CBD interacts with ECS receptors to help regulate sleep, appetite, mood, immune function, inflammatory disorders, and pain. Since CBD from hemp contains less than 0.3 percent THC, there is no cause for concern about getting high or acquiring an addiction to this naturally occurring compound.
CBD for Daily Wellness
But it’s not only for physical and mental conditions that consumers are turning to CBD. Many seek CBD benefits for their daily wellness regimen.
For starters, CBD oil provides a range of nutrients that are essential for maintaining overall wellness. CBD hemp oil is a natural source of essential vitamins and minerals and dietary nutrients, including the following: [5]
- B complex vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Magnesium
The important dietary nutrients found in CBD oil include fatty acids, protein, terpenes, and flavonoids. They are critical for the body to function efficiently. The balancing effects of CBD, combined with the nutritional content of hemp, help support daily peak performance.
CBD for relief from lack of or poor-quality sleep, which is a problem for as many as one-third[6] of American adults, also is contributing to the popularity of the cannabinoid for daily use. Some research on CBD and sleep indicates that CBD may interact with specific receptors in the endocannabinoid system to potentially affect the sleep/wake cycle. Furthermore, by reducing the symptoms of pain and anxiety, CBD may also contribute to a more restful sleep.
CBD Treatments as Preventative Medicine
Research also indicates that in addition to treating a range of health issues, CBD treatments have the potential to provide prevention against certain diseases brought on by stress and aging. Though more research is needed, some of the conditions that CBD has been shown to prevent or treat are:
Diabetes and Obesity: CBD has been shown to lower the incidence of diabetes in non-obese, diabetic animal subjects.[7] Data from other research on obesity suggests that CBD may be a potentially promising therapeutic agent for the prevention of obesity by turning white fat into brown fat. Specifically, white visceral fat is the unhealthy fat that accumulates in obesity and the fat that that needs to be reduced in weight loss to improve health. On the other hand, brown fat gets its color from iron-rich mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell. When brown fat burns, a process called thermogenesis happens, and calories in the form of white fat are burned for energy. CBD was found to increase the expression of multiple genes that are involved in the browning of fat.[8]
Heart Disease: The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of CBD may reduce risk factors that can lead to heart disease, such as high blood pressure. CBD may also reduce the risk of related conditions, like stroke. In a study conducted in 2017, healthy human volunteers were subjected to stress and then received a dose of CBD. Results indicated that CBD lowered their blood pressure, as compared to volunteers given a placebo.[9]
Brain health: Cannabinoids help maintain and regulate brain health by removing damaged cells and improving the efficiency of mitochondria.[10] (Located in the cell’s cytoplasm, mitochondria are responsible for the energy production needed to power the cell’s biochemical reactions.) Research indicates cannabinoid signaling possibly decreases in aging. Elevating cannabinoid receptor activity, either by pharmacological blockade of the degradation of cannabinoids or by receptor agonists (an agonist ineracts with a receptor and produces a biological response in the cell), could be a promising strategy to slow down the progression of brain aging and alleviate the symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders.[11]
Bone Disease: CBD has been shown to block an enzyme that destroys bone-building compounds in the body, reducing the risk of age-related bone diseases like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. CBD helps spur the process of new bone-cell formation.[12] Researchers found that (CBD) enhances the biomechanical properties of healing animal mid-femoral fractures.[13]
CBD Tinctures for Wellness
Among CBD tinctures for wellness is Lab+Blends CBD Total Wellness Drops. It helps you achieve a complete sense of wellbeing and overall balance. CBD supports the reduction of stress, decrease in discomfort, and increase in total body wellness. Combined with nutritious Hempseed Oil, rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, Lab+Blends Daily Dose CBD Total Wellness Drops absorb quickly to help you regain optimum functioning and increase your energy for a healthier and more enjoyable life.