Cannabis is good for health if it is rich in CBD or cannabidiol, which is one of the more than 60 types of cannabinoids available from cannabis. The richness of CBD in cannabis determines its effectiveness for use in the treatment of many diseases and health conditions. The legal medicinal marijuana that has opened new avenues of treatment is fast gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional medical treatments. The herbal base of CBD together with minimal side effects, none of which is adverse, has become a great attraction for those who have hit a wall with traditional medicines.
CBD comes with a host of benefits in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders and can mitigate the risk of cancer by virtue of its anti-inflammatory properties. Cannabinoids applied in low dosage have shown to stimulate the process of creation of new nerve cells in some animal models. CBD can reduce the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, age-related bone diseases, as it can block the enzyme that destroys the compounds in the body that aid bone building. Lazarus Naturals is a brand of CBD rich in antioxidants, and when applied locally in the form of serum, infused lotion or oil can be highly effective in repairing skin damage. In this article, we will explore the role of cannabidiol in preventive medicine.
Bridging the body and mind
Cannabinoid therapy is highly effective in bridging the body and mind that can harmonize the complex actions in our nervous system, immune system and all other organs of the body. The better we can understand the system easier it would be to discover a mechanism for connecting the states of physical health and diseases with brain activity. The constituents of CBD and other cannabis compounds are so similar to the chemicals that our body produces that these can integrate much better with the body than other synthetic drugs. Cannabinoid therapy is fast gaining popularity as it can adequately address a host of health conditions that the traditional treatments fail to address.
Reduction in risks related to obesity and diabetes
Regular use of cannabis reflects in the physical appearance of people as they usually have lower BMI and have slimmer waists thereby reducing the chances of obesity and diabetes. A survey of 52,000 people done in 2011 revealed that cannabis users had a one third the rate of obesity as compared to those who do not use cannabis. The interesting fact is that the lower obesity prevails despite the participants consuming more calories each day. The enhanced metabolism of carbohydrates counterbalances the increase in appetite.
CBD reduces diabetes as demonstrated in trials on rats and studies in 2015 by a team of American – Israel researchers started stage 2 tests for using CBD in treating diabetes. CBD has the power of converting the white fat of the body into brown fat that helps to reduce weight while promoting sugar metabolism and regular insulin production.
Studies have also revealed that the fasting insulin levels of those currently using cannabis is 16 percent lower than those not on cannabis. The level of HDL cholesterol that protects against diabetes is also higher, and insulin resistance is lower by 17 percent. Cannabis users who are currently not using it showed similar results, but the numbers were low that indicates that the effect of cannabis fades with time.
Lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease
There are several results available from various studies carried out in different countries that clearly point out that the level of HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol is higher in cannabis users and LDL or bad cholesterol is slightly low.
Atherosclerosis is a diet and lifestyle-related disease common in advanced Western countries that can lead to stroke or heart disease. Progressive deposition of atherosclerotic plaques leads to a chronic inflammatory disorder. Existing treatments are limited in its effectiveness and come with a lot of side effects. Stimulated by plant-based cannabinoids, the response of CB2 receptors to inflammation is three times more that allow the natural cannabinoids of the body to bring down the inflammatory responses. There is enough evidence available that shows low dose oral cannabinoids retard the progress of atherosclerosis. Studies in animal models show the cardioprotective effects of cannabinoids.
Reduce the risk of cancer
That is treating animals with CBD lead to lower chances of developing colon cancer finds mention in some studies carried out in 2012. Despite inducing the animals with carcinogens, the cancer cells growth were never significant. It is already an established fact that THC not only reduces tumors but also prevents it. Studies in animals have shown that THC decreased the incidences of hepatic adenoma as well as benign tumors. In 2015, the analysis of medical records of 84,000 residents of California had revealed that the rate of bladder cancer was 45 percent less in people taking cannabis. These people were kept away from tobacco, too. Scientists are still working to find out the best CBD to THC ratio that could help to determine the effective dose level in the treatment and prevention of cancer. A top Canadian website just released a ton of great info on this. They have a ton of great CBD reviews on their website.
Cannabinoids enhance brain health
There is no doubt about cannabinoids acting as neuroprotectors by maintaining and regulating brain health. Cannabinoids act on the brain in many different ways by making the mitochondria more effective and removing damaged cells. Reduction of glutamate toxicity is another effect of CBD together with other antioxidant compounds. CBD is in itself a rich source of antioxidant. Excess glutamate is harmful to brain health as overstimulated cells meet with premature death and damage. Cannabinoids keep the brain healthy and ensure its proper functioning.
The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids find mention in several studies. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in many body organs and helps to reduce inflammation in a systematic manner. Since inflammation relates to a broad spectrum of diseases, the effectiveness of CBD in treating a number of health conditions automatically gains importance. This is particularly evident in using CBD for the treatment of bone diseases like arthritis and chronic pain.
