According to Statista, more than 50% of adults in the US who use CBD are using it for managing issues like stress, anxiety, and pain, or to get better sleep. While these are the most common benefits, there are other surprising benefits of CBD that many people do not know.
In this article, we will explore all the research-backed CBD’s benefits in 2024, and we will also understand how CBD works, and how long it takes to notice its benefits.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol is a natural, non-psychoactive plant-derived compound that has been making waves in the health and wellness industry for its many potential therapeutic qualities.
CBD can be extracted from both hemp and marijuana plants. However, in the United States, hemp-derived CBD is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, as long as it contains less than 0.3% delta-9 THC.
Due to this legal distinction, the market has seen a surge in the availability of hemp-derived CBD products. These include a variety of options such as CBD gummies, oils, capsules, flowers, and more.
How does CBD work?
CBD works by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a complex network of receptors that helps regulate many functions of your body.
The ECS consists of two main types of receptors: CB1 receptors, which are primarily located in the brain and central nervous system, and CB2 receptors, which are mainly located in the immune system and peripheral tissues.
These CB receptors are responsible for various actions in your body. Once these receptors become agitated, it leads to all kinds of issues like stress, bad mood, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, inflammation, and insomnia.
However, when CBD enters your body, it interacts with these CB receptors and other neurotransmitters in your body. These interactions with CBD help the receptors reach a state of homeostasis, which results in all kinds of benefits.
Benefits of CBD (research-backed)
1 - Managing pain
CBD has been shown to have analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, meaning it can help alleviate chronic pain associated with many conditions including headache, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia. (1)
2 - Managing stress and anxiety
CBD has been studied for its potential anti-anxiety effects and most people use CBD for this particular benefit.
A 2015 study (2) founds the CBD’s potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when it is administered properly.
3 - Managing depression
CBD is also known to have antidepressant effects (3). CBD works for depression by interacting with the CB receptors and altering serotonin levels in the brain, which helps alleviate depression symptoms.
Although, more detailed studies are needed to understand the long-term benefits of CBD for depression.
4 - Mood improvement
CBD is also known to be an effective remedy for many mood disorders. However, the exact mechanism of action of CBD to improve mood still remains to be studied (16).
5 - Anti-inflammatory effects
CBD has been found to have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-antioxidant properties (4), making it a potential approach for managing many inflammatory conditions and oxidative stress.
6 - Neuroprotective effects
CBD has been shown to have neuroprotective properties (5), meaning it can help protect your body and the brain from damage caused by numerous neurodegenerative disorders like stroke, schizophrenia, neuroinflammation, and traumatic brain injury.
7 - Sleep promotion
CBD has been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia, making it a frontrunner remedy for sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, restless legs syndrome, and sleep apnea (6).
Related article: Best CBD Products for Sleep
8 - Skin health improvement
CBD has been found to have anti-itching, wound healing, and antiproliferative properties (7).
This increases CBD’s potential for promoting skin health if used in topical forms, moreover, CBD can improve your skin by reducing inflammation and promoting healthy hydration, which can further help manage skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, pruritus, and acne (8).
Related article: Best CBD Creams
9 - Minimizing the risk of epilepsy
10 - Cancer pain management
According to a study CBD has the potential to relieve cancer pain and ease the side effects of chemotherapy (11).
Another study suggests that CBD can also possess the potential to diminish certain forms of cancer, including the many other symptoms and signs that are associated with cancer (12).
However, more detailed studies are needed to properly study the effect of CBD on managing cancer.
11 - Managing addiction
CBD has also been found to have potential as a treatment for substance abuse and addiction, including addiction to opioids, cocaine, tobacco, nicotine, and other drugs (13) (14). This benefit of CBD makes it a great tool for recovering addicts.
Although further studies are needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on addiction disorders.
12 - Managing blood pressure and heart health
The use of CBD has been linked to a healthy circulatory system and heart health, as CBD can help lower high blood pressure by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress which are the major cause of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions (15).
13 - Managing appetite, weight, and gut health
CBD has been known to promote a healthy or reduced appetite while also causing an anti-obese effect which can be helpful if you are looking to manage your weight (17).
CBD also helps improve your digestive processes by minimizing inflammation in your stomach and improving your overall gut health (18).
14 - Athletic performance and recovery
CBD is also known for its potential effects on improving athletic performance and recovery, such that CBD can help reduce inflammation, fatigue, and muscle soreness after an intense workout and it will also help improve your sleep and accelerate your recovery in the long run (19).
How long does it take to notice CBD's benefits?
You can expect to feel some of the effects of CBD within 15 minutes to 2 hours after consumption, depending on your method of CBD administration. Although, you will notice the full potential of CBD after a couple of weeks of consistent use
If you start using CBD for the first time, you may not notice any benefits during the first few days. This is because CBD takes time to build up in your system, so it’s likely that you will feel the effects of CBD after a couple of weeks of consistent use.
Keep in mind that for a CBD product to provide its benefits, you must first determine your proper CBD dosage.
Final thoughts
If you are seeking to improve your quality of life, CBD is one of the most versatile options right now.
It’s natural and has numerous benefits that can enhance various elements of your everyday life. However, if you’re considering using CBD for any health issue or taking any medications, it is recommended that you speak with your healthcare provider first before taking CBD.
Disclosure:
The information in this article is intended for general use only and may not always be appropriate for everyone’s needs. Your health and wellness are unique to you, so before acting on anything we say, seek personalized advice from a medical professional.
We value the accuracy and editorial integrity of all our articles, and we strive to ensure that the content we publish is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge.