As the country is progressing in the movement to legalize cannabis it has allowed for more well needed research to be performed on cannabis. So what does research say about cannabis and its impact on health? Lets dive into this question.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found within the cannabis plant. CBD is non psychoactive and is used for its therapeutic and medicinal properties for the mind, body and skin. CBD contains many elements that our skin loves and needs but before we move on to discuss those benefits it's important to know how cannabis interacts with our body. Our body has two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2 that is a part of our Endocannabinoid system, the system responsible for regulating and balancing bodily responses. Cannabinoids bind to the receptors and neutralizes the imbalance our body is experiencing such as inflammation, pain and more. These receptors have been found in the central nervous system, the digestive system, immune system and in the skin. The ECS system plays an important role in the regulatory function of the skin making it plausible that treatment with CBD is effective for skin disorders and helps with the skins health. In addition, the ECS system regulates sleep, appetite and immune system responses.

Benefits

Skin

CBD itself is rich in antioxidants that help the skin repair itself, protect the skin from aging, wrinkles and skin dullness. It is hydrating, contains essential fatty acids (Omega 3 & Omega 6 ), and vitamin C, E & A that rejuvenates the skins surface. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that helps reduce acne. Many people steer clear from oils as they assume it will clog their pores but CBD oil does the opposite by regulating sebum which is key as an over production of sebum can cause acne and the oil is non comedogenic oil (non clogging).

Body

Pain Relief: Did you know that 1 in 4 Americans suffer from pain? CBD Works with you body’s cannabinoid receptors to regulate the pain we are feeling. This is the most common use for CBD. Adding this to your lotions, balms or taking it by mouth may help relieve body aches and pain.

Cancer symptoms: Cancer patients experience side effects such as pain, vomiting and nausea. Patients who engage in cannabis found that their symptoms reduced with no side effects.

Improves sleep: In a recent study, patients who have Parkinson disease who experience insomnia found that taking CBD improved their sleep and wake cycles. Also, as a result of CBD lowering stress and anxiety, it in turn allows patients to sleep better.

Neurological disorders: Conditions such as epilepsy where patients experience frequent seizures have found benefits from cannabis as it lessens the frequency of seizures.

Mind

Anxiety: Instead of relying on prescription drugs that have a wide range of side effects, roll up, inhale and blow your anxiety out using what nature gave us. CBD binds to our brains receptors that regulates our mood to reduce the anxiety we feel.

Boosts mood: Being in a funky mood, possibly means that your serotonin levels are low (the chemicals in our body that makes us happy). CBD doesn’t provide more serotonin but it helps the body’s chemical responses to be receptive to the serotonin already in our body. Also as discussed, it reduces stress and pain which are two main factors on why people have a low vibrational mood.

Takeaway

Overall, CBD is safe and legal on a state level but the system is still broken as cannabis is still scheduled as a scheduled 1 drug federally, science has proven that the law has to change. You should always conduct your own research when taking any drug to make the best decision for yourself and understand dosages before ingesting. Let us know your thoughts on the topic! Stay tuned for more topics on all things beauty. 

Resources

Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 13, 927–942. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S286411

UCLA. Cannabis Research Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.uclahealth.org/cannabis/cannabis-and-its-compounds

Chagas, M. H., Eckeli, A. L., Zuardi, A. W., Pena-Pereira, M. A., Sobreira-Neto, M. A., Sobreira, E. T., Camilo, M. R., Bergamaschi, M. M., Schenck, C. H., Hallak, J. E., Tumas, V., & Crippa, J. A. (2014). Cannabidiol can improve complex sleep-related behaviours associated with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in Parkinson's disease patients: a case series. Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics, 39(5), 564–566. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpt.12179