Does CBD Work? A Comprehensive Look at Its Most Popular Uses

There’s been an enormous boom in CBD products, which are now legally available all over Canada and in many other parts of the world. CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of the natural chemicals found in cannabis plants which, according to research, may provide medical benefits to users. It’s quickly become a popular alternative to medical cannabis for users who want the perks without getting high.

But does CBD work?

Whether CBD works or not is a tough question- there are many studies that show that the substance does have potential benefits for the body, but more research is still needed. With that said, many users find CBD therapeutic and a large-scale survey found that 80% of users found CBD extremely effective for treatment.

Here’s a comprehensive look at its most popular users and whether CBD works for them:

What are the Most Popular Uses of CBD?

There’s now a lot of research out there on the potential benefits of cannabinoids on various physical and mental health issues. As such, consumers now use CBD for all kinds of reasons from general issues to serious health conditions. However, there are a few particularly popular uses of CBD.

A study of CBD users found that treating chronic pain was the most popular use of CBD. Other common uses were for helping with anxiety, depression, insomnia and sleep disorders, headaches and migraines, PTSD, nausea, and cancer.

Various other potential benefits for CBD have also been identified. Some users use CBD for issues such as asthma, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and even addiction. However, it appears to be most useful for common issues such as pain, stress, and anxiety.

Does CBD Work for Pain Management?

Helping with pain is the most common use of CBD, and many users vouch for its pain-relieving effects. CBD is said to help with pain by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, providing an analgesic effect which reduces the sensation of pain and physical distress. Research also suggests it can reduce inflammation.

Various studies suggest that there are many benefits of cannabinoids for difficult to treat pain. Clinical trials have demonstrated that it can help with issues such as neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer pain.

Some users even use CBD for general aches and strains. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are also said to come in handy for issues such as headaches and migraines. More research is still needed on how much CBD can help with pain, but many users report finding CBD therapeutic for pain.

Does CBD Work for Anxiety/Depression?

Aside from helping with pain, the most common use of CBD is to reduce anxiety and depression. Studies commonly show that CBD can have a positive effect in relieving mental disorders and promoting a more positive mood.

A study on anxiety and sleep found that users reduced their symptoms of anxiety by taking CBD for a month. Another study found that taking a single high dose of CBD helped users reduce their social anxiety before a public speaking test.

An animal study found that taking CBD could have a rapid and sustained effect on reducing depression in rats, which does show some promise for humans. A study on using cannabis for stress, depression, and anxiety also found that high-CBD cannabis strains were extremely helpful in reducing these issues in humans.

Does CBD Work for Sleep?

Many users also find CBD helpful for improving sleep, although there is much less research on using CBD for sleep than for other symptoms. One study tested the effects of various dosages of CBD on sleep. It found that a dose of 160mg could have sedative effects, whereas doses of 40mg and 80mg could have certain benefits such as reducing dream recall for PTSD sufferers.

Another study, which tested the effects of CBD on anxiety and sleep, found that users reported much better sleep after taking a regular dose of CBD for a month. While CBD may not have the strong sedative effects of THC, it can still help users sleep and reduce some of the causes and symptoms of anxiety, such as chronic pain and anxiety.

Does CBD Work for Seizures?

CBD is also widely used for its anticonvulsant effects. Many patients with epilepsy often find seizures hard to manage, but CBD has been shown to help significantly in this aspect. There are various studies which show that CBD can help a great deal with seizure management.

One clinical trial found that CBD could help child patients with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. Patients were given 20mg of CBD per kg of body weight per day over a 14-week period. The trial found that CBD helped reduce the median frequency of convulsive seizures a month from 12.4 to 5.9.

Another clinical trial was carried out on using CBD for Lennox-gastaut syndrome, another rare form of epilepsy. The study found a median seizure reduction of 41.9% in patients who took 20mg of CBD per kg of body weight per day. Patients who took 10mg of CBD per kg of body weight a day also had a 37.2% median reduction in monthly seizures.

Does CBD Work for Cancer?

Interestingly, CBD has also become a common supplement for cancer patients. While there’s no cure for cancer and treatment usually involves methods such as chemotherapy, CBD can offer a helping hand in a few ways.

Research shows that CBD can have anticancer effects by reducing the growth and spread of cancer cells. Additionally, CBD can help cancer patients with many of their symptoms- especially those in chemotherapy. 

Users often find CBD can help reduce nausea, increase appetite to counteract cachexia, improve sleep, and reduce the chronic pain associated with cancer. All of these things can potentially help patients live a better quality of life and improve their recovery.

Conclusion

There are many studies on both animals and humans which show that CBD can have a host of incredible benefits. While more research is still needed to assess just how much CBD can help, many users report that taking CBD regularly is therapeutic and helps with their symptoms. If you want to use CBD, you can now buy CBD products online for safe and discreet delivery.