As research into hemp continues to mount, its therapeutic potential is attracting admirers from all around the globe. However, despite the commercialization of cannabis-infused products and their growing popularity, much is still unknown about CBD.

To help you become more informed about this herbal extract, this article takes a closer look at CBD and its potential advantages.

What is CBD?

To start us off, what is CBD anyway? CBD is a herbal extract that derives from the hemp plant. It is mainly harvested because of its beneficial compounds, including phytocannabinoids such as CBN, THC, CBC, and of course, the most famous cannabinoid, CBD (also known as Cannabidiol). There is little risk that you can get intoxicated from CBD oil because it rarely contains more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the main psychoactive agent in plants. CBD oil is also nutritious because of its diverse nutrients and high omega 3 fatty acid content.

5 Surprising Health Benefits of CBD

It’s been shown to balance our hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers released by cells or glands. They have essential roles in the body, from regulating the immune system to encouraging growth. However, when a hormonal imbalance occurs, it can cause an individual to feel irritable, encounter sleep problems, develop acne or dry skin, gain weight, or become fatigued, among many other things.

Your lifestyle has a significant influence on your hormonal balance, and research suggests that the most effective technique of regulating hormones is through a healthy diet. Omega 3 fats are one of the building blocks of hormones and several other constituents in the human body. CBD oil is useful in this vein because it is rich in omega fatty acids that are necessary for optimum health. In addition to this, hemp oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, which is an important omega 6 fatty acid that is also found in egg yolk and can help you balance your hormones.

Furthermore, hemp contains all the nine essential amino acids that cannot be produced by the human body. Therefore, due to its high nutrient content and the other factors we discussed above, CBD oil may be an effective way to regain hormonal balance.

It has skin-friendly properties

CBD is also filled with an abundance of vitamins that have been shown to improve your skin health. A 2014 study published by The Journal of Clinical Investigation that analyzed hemp oil found that its lipid profile is a good source of fatty acids and healthy oils, and these fatty acids and vitamins located within CBD oil are great for preventing breakouts and leaving your skin soft and glowy. The high nutrient content makes CBD oil an excellent source of the necessary ingredients for skin nourishment and protects it from oxidation, inflammation, and other factors that cause ageing.

On top of this, further research suggests that topical application of CBD oil improves, strengthens, and makes the skin better able to resist infections. Also, other researchers believe that the extract may be effective in treating a range of skin issues, such as acne rosacea, eczema, lichen planus, dermatitis, varicose eczema, and psoriasis. However, more research into its potential needs to be conducted before we fully understand how it impacts our skin.

It helps to relieve pain

Lots of the precious cannabinoids and terpenes that are present within the extract are also efficient at addressing pain. This is largely due to their anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties. Because most types of pain are some sort of product of inflammation, tackling this helps to decrease swelling and this subsequently soothes all different sorts of pain. CBD oil also works as a muscle relaxant, so it can help to lower discomfort while holistically calming the mind, which paves the way for a comfortable recovery process.

According to preliminary research, a key reason why these cannabinoids are so successful in tackling these issues is because of the way they react with your endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological system that is responsible for regulating a wide range of functions, including your pain response. When cannabinoids enter the body, they interact with the CB-1 receptors in the ECS and prevent them from becoming activated. This, in turn, increases analgesic signaling, which relieves the feeling of pain. This interception provides relief to a wide spectrum of pain, from acute cases to chronic conditions. However, since the ECS system is heavily under-researched, much is still unknown about its relationship with pain.

It can give you luscious locks

Aside from its pain-relieving power, CBD oil has also been shown to give users healthy and strong hair. Due to the variety of phytocannabinoids present in CBD, when applied topically, the extract is recognized to retain valuable moisture in your hair and scalp. In addition to this, it’s super easy to apply CBD infused into your hair or scalp, as most cannabinoid topicals are non-greasy and absorb into the skin with ease.

If this wasn’t enough, after your scalp absorbs CBD oil, it may also be able to stimulate hair growth. Since about 90% of hair is made up of protein, keratin, the high protein-rich CBD may encourage healthy hair growth, especially when it’s accompanied by a protein-heavy diet. Some of the other nutrients that stimulate hair growth in your scalp include omega-9, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, which all feature heavily in broad-spectrum oils. This means that if you’re considering adding cannabinoid products to your hair care regime, it’s wise to look for those containing a broad-spectrum extract.

It promotes a healthy immune system

Finally, another reason why it may be worth considering CBD is because of its supposed immune-boosting properties. Research suggests that CBD possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, which are very beneficial to maintaining good health and fighting the discomfort caused by some diseases. Therefore, although CBD is not a cure for sickness, it may be able to boost your body’s natural resilience against infections.

Furthermore, CBD is also recognized for showcasing antiemetic qualities. This means it may be able to quell nausea and vomiting and induce a feeling of relaxation and calm while improving your sleep. This is significant because allowing yourself to rest comfortably is one of the best techniques of stimulating recovery when you are sick. However, it should be noted that if you are suffering from an illness or disease, CBD shouldn’t take the place of conventional medicine.