Now, more than ever, people have started to appreciate the importance of maintaining mental and physical health on a daily basis. In the midst of social distancing, lockdowns, and gathering restrictions, everyone across the globe has had to adapt to this new, unaccommodating lifestyle change. By not being able to leave one’s home, populations around the world have seen a massive decline in both mental and physical health. Fortunately, this may be due more to a lack of a regimen and education than just the at-home environment.
For starters, a consistent daily wellness routine is the easiest way to maintain one’s personal health, both emotionally and physically. This includes self-care activities which focus on alleviating stressors and practicing health-promoting behaviors. Finding items and tools to support this wellness initiative can be very difficult, especially if you do not know what you are looking for. A good fit that not everyone is thinking of is cannabidiol (CBD) products.
Here are five reasons why cannabidiol may be able to help you improve your wellness routine and facilitate healthier living.
Few Side Effects and Health Risks
This is one of the main reasons why people have flocked to cannabidiol, as opposed to other more untested products or high-intensity drugs. After several recent health reports regarding the use and safety of CBD, researchers and medical professionals have become more confident in identifying its safety profile. Based on a 2018 UN Health Report, there is evidence to suggest that human beings have a natural tolerance for CBD consumption. Similarly, its lack of psychoactive and cardiovascular effects means that the substance has ranked low on the abuse potential scale.
Relative to CBD’s cannabinoid counterpart, THC, cannabidiol has very manageable side effects that help to increase the overall benefit obtained from these substances. A 2018 health study conducted by GM explored the various side effects of regular, multi-dose ingestion. While the worst recorded effects were headaches and diarrhea, the results showed that CBD was well tolerated overall. In fact, the study concluded that CBD displayed no signs of severe or serious side effects. Producing mildly adverse effects meant that the researchers could label CBD as having a strong safety profile. In fact, twice-daily administration was permitted. The results of this study may apply more to the medical applications of CBD, but it can be a huge selling point for those whose existing medication produces a myriad of complications.
Treatment of Epilepsy
Of all the health benefits that CBD has been investigated to promote, the research surrounding its use as an antiepileptic has definitely been the most extensive. Recently, the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved their first drug with an active cannabis-derived ingredient called Epidiolex. This drug completed the unthinkable by demonstrating its effects in thorough clinical trials. The evidence from these trials proved undeniable when it came time for the FDA to make a ruling on its safety and its efficacy. An achievement like this is made more impressive when you recount that cannabis is classified as a Schedule 1 drug in the United States, meaning it is strictly illegal to grow and sell without satisfying extremely limiting restrictions. But Epidiolex’s success also demonstrates its validity as an antiepileptic.
Epilepsy, especially in its more severe forms, is not a common concern for the majority of people when they build out their wellness routine. That being said, there are thousands of individuals who live with epilepsy who are unable to control its disruptive, draining, and health-threatening effects. For them, this is a great reason to start exploring CBD options that are designed to treat epileptic symptoms.
Managing Anxiety and Mental Health Symptoms
First, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association (ADAA), there have not been enough controlled experiments to produce sufficient scientific evidence to support the claim that CBD is an effective treatment for anxiety or depression. That does not mean there won’t be enough evidence in the future. Part of the reason why there is so little research isn’t that CBD is a harmful substance. Instead, the issue is that it is derived from a plant that has particularly restrictive legislation restrictions. This also means that there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that CBD cannot help treat the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression either. In fact, many of those living with anxiety have adopted CBD.
According to Health Europa, 41% of cannabis users in 2017 replaced their anti-anxiety medication for cannabis. Similarly, 40% of those interviewed attested to CBD being a more effective substance for relieving the symptoms of medical conditions like anxiety.
Regardless of the method of delivery you choose for your consumption of CBD, potent CBD vapes, or otherwise, it is clear that there are several health-related reasons why CBD should be a part of your wellness routine.
