The Promising Future Of CBD As A Medicine
Cannabidiol or, CBD, is one of the many natural compounds that are found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its arguably more famous fellow cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (aka THC), CBD is not a psychoactive substance meaning that it won’t get you high. However research has shown that CBD contains various properties that can have some very positive effects in treating a number of different medical conditions.
CBD has already been labelled as being non-toxic by the World Health Organization and there is significant evidence that it can help with chronic pain and has myriad other potential medicinal properties. Since the treatment of chronic pain and the opioid crisis in the United States which has been exacerbated by the use of opioid based prescription pain medication have been considered national medical emergencies, researchers have been looking high and low for ways to help the millions of Americans that are being affected across the country. Given the results so far, people are hopeful that CBD may be an intermediary solution to those suffering from chronic pain, bypassing the need for those prescription pain medications.
Another reason more and more folks are turning to CBD and related products is to treat their anxiety disorders. More often than not, anxiety and mental illness are results of a chronic pain, both physical or mental. While anxiety in itself is not a disease, when the brain starts functioning inappropriately and the “fight or flight” response becomes frequent and without any stimulus, it can have a severe impact one’s daily life. The brain’s target receptors of CBD are highly specialized in tempering this unwanted response so people are using CBD for help in lieu of traditional treatments such as prescription medications like alprazolam or diazepam which often have significant negative side effects.
The limited research available have also already gone on to show very positive results when CBD is used for the treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, all the while also acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. Although CBD has displayed positive results in treating these and many other conditions, it has seen only minimal testing in human clinical trials. So far, scientists have yet to determine what the full effects of the drug are, what dosages are appropriate, and what (if any) side effects it may have in the long term.
Despite this information, federal courts in the U.S. have decided not to protect CBD from being targeted by law enforcement. An unfortunate and what some would call misguided decision that may do more harm than good to those that are already benefiting or could potentially benefit from CBD as a form of treatment for their ailments. However in states where marijuana is legal, the promise of CBD being a potential “cure-all” has sparked a significant increase in the number of CBD companies and products that are now available on the market. Nowadays you can find CBD infused edibles, lotions, infused bottle water and even some products designed for pets to use at your local dispensaries. Hopefully, the government will revisit their decision soon and at very least allow for further research into the effects of CBD.
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