The Health Benefits of CBD Oil

While CBD oil won’t give you a high and a bad case of the munchies, people are still raving about this oil for improving their health. If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele: Both you and your grandma will love it. CBD is just as talented as THC but safe for the whole family and an increasing amount of research is showing just how powerful it can be for helping your health.

The main reason CBD has become so popular is due to its ability to naturally drive-down inflammation. Since chronic inflammation is the fuel behind so many modern day health problems it is no wonder why the benefits of CBD can be far-reaching. Even though inflammation is not bad, and actually necessary to help fight off infections and heal wounds, it can quickly get out of hand if it never subsides after the threat is gone. This is where CBD oil comes in to calm the fire that is ongoing inflammation.

CBD oil, Inflammation + Anxiety

It is estimated that 30 percent (1) of adults in America – 66 million people – suffer from anxiety disorders, making it one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. That is not even including the close to 25 percent of preteens and teenagers struggling with anxiety. As a functional medicine practitioner, anxiety is something I see all too often. But just because something is common doesn’t mean it is normal. Thankfully, science is starting to discover more about how anxiety begins which will help develop more effective treatment options.

It is easy to separate mental health from physical health. However, research is finding that inflammation is the common contributing factor between brain health problems such as anxiety, brain fog, depression, autism, ADD, and ADHD. In fact, an entire area of research known as the cytokine model of cognitive function is dedicated to looking at how inflammation affects the brain and can contribute to anxiety disorders. It was found that increased levels of the inflammatory bad guy, NF kappa B (NFkB), is associated with anxiety while on the other hand, lower levels of NFkB are associated with lower rates of anxiety. (2)

Enter CBD oil. I have seen not only in my patients’ life, but my own life as well, the powerful impact CBD oil can have on anxiety. Multiple studies have found CBD oil to be an effective treatment for social anxiety (3) and is a natural anxiolytic (anxiety calmer). (4) CBD oil has all the benefits of anti-anxiety medications without the side effects.

CBD oil can also reduce anxiety (5) by increasing prefrontal cortex activation and lowering activity in the amygdala – two areas of the brain involved in anxiety. Evidence also suggests that CBD can activate hippocampus neurogenesis (6) to regenerate new neurons! This works to activate CB1 receptors that balance GABA and glutamate levels to reduce anxiety.

A fair amount of research has posed CBD as a possible treatment for inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune conditions, as well. In fact, the authors of one review article (7) titled, “Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs” even wrote: “Manipulation of endocannabinoids and/or use of exogenous cannabinoids in vivo can constitute a potent treatment modality against inflammatory disorders.”

If you’re wondering how CBD seems to tackle chronic inflammation, you’re not alone. Researchers are also trying to figure that out at this very moment. One of the main theories is that CBD can induce T-reg cells, (8) the immune cells responsible for finding and eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other outside invaders. When inflammation is at its worst, T-reg cells lose the ability to distinguish between these invaders and the body itself, which leads to an immune system that attacks its own tissues. This causes autoimmune disease, of which there are more than 100 (9) different kinds.

CBD Oil: How Much Should You Take?

Research surrounding CBD oil suggest a wide dosage range from anywhere between a few milligrams to hundreds of milligrams. I suggest starting off small, around 10 milligrams, and gradually increase over a few weeks or a few months to see how your body responds and what works best for you. Another option is to split the dose during the day instead of taking it all at one time. With anything, it is important to discuss this with your doctor especially if you are currently taking any medications. In general CBD oil is safe for most people but it can possibly interact with and decrease or increase certain drugs’ effectiveness.

There are many great quality CBD oils available but it is essential to make sure you are buying a product from organically grown hemp that has been third-party tested for potency and quality. Cannabis is a bioaccumulator, (10) which means it absorbs toxins from the soil, so you want to make sure you’re not ingesting any chemicals - that might actually contribute to inflammation - along with your CBD.

The Endocannabinoid System

But why and how exactly does CBD seem to work so well, for so many different conditions? Cannabidiol (CBD) interacts with a larger system in the body called the endocannabinoid system, which explains the science behind many of its health benefits.

What’s the endocannabinoid system?

So what is the endocannabinoid system (ECS), exactly? It’s a network of receptors, enzymes, and compounds that the body naturally produces, called endocannabinoids. It’s often described as the body’s “master regulatory system” and is in charge of maintaining homeostasis, which is just another word for maintaining balance between internal and external environments.

The ECS has been connected to so many aspects of our health - including our moods, stress and pain response, and even seemingly unrelated factors like fertility issues and headaches. (Like I said, so many.)

How does CBD affect the ECS?

The two main endocannabinoids in the body are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG). Your ECS has receptors for each of these endocannabinoids throughout your body and when an endocannabinoid binds to a receptor, it prompts your ECS to keep various body functions running optimally. There are two main types of ECS receptors: CB1 receptors, located mainly in your central nervous system, and CB2 receptors, located mainly in your peripheral nervous system and immune system.

It’s thought that taking cannabinoids from plants - which are known as phytocannabinoids - can help restore balance to an endocannabinoid system that’s not working efficiently. Health experts have even coined the terms “low endocannabinoid tone” and “clinical endocannabinoid deficiency” to describe an endocannabinoid system that’s gone a little haywire. But what are the real consequences of a low endocannabinoid tone? Just to name a few, an unhealthy ECS has been linked to conditions like autism, (11) migraines, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. (12) We’ll likely uncover many more as the research surrounding the ECS expands and grows.

But taking cannabinoids like CBD isn’t the only way to support your ECS. As it turns out, your diet and lifestyle matter, and matter a lot.

How do you support your endocannabinoid system?

We’re learning more and more that specific dietary and lifestyle changes can support the health of the ECS every day. But why would you want to change your lifestyle when you can just pop a CBD gummy and call it a day? As it turns out, the better you support your ECS, the more effective your hemp and CBD products will be.

Here are 10 quick and easy ways to improve the functioning of your endocannabinoid system:

1. Get some sun

We all know that sun exposure is great for your mood and vitamin D levels, but it also enhances your ECS activity since the sun’s rays promote (13) nitric oxide activity, which bolsters the expression of CB1 receptors.

2. Drink plenty of tea

Who doesn’t love a cold glass of iced tea? Tea is chock full of antioxidants - like the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) found in green tea - that enhance (14) the endocannabinoid system. They do this by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system.

3. Eat plenty of healthy fats

Good fats are a non-negotiable part of a healthy diet and a healthy ECS. The body’s endocannabinoids are actually synthesized (15) from the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid. Make sure you’re eating a healthy ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which you can find in foods like chia seeds, eggs, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, salmon, and wild-caught sardines.

4. Get chilly

Cold exposure has been shown (16) to stimulate (17) the endocannabinoid system (and boost metabolism!). Try taking cold showers or swimming in cold water if you live near a body of water. Your ECS will thank you.

5. Go crazy on the vitamin A

Studies have shown that vitamin A increases CB1 expression. (18) And the good news is that you can find this vitamin in a variety of delicious, satiating foods, including wild-caught fish and ghee.

6. Get serious about reducing stress

The stress hormone cortisol can reduce (19) hippocampal CB1 receptors in the brain, which has been linked to low endocannabinoid tone. To combat this, get plenty of sleep, take time to wind down at the end of the day, and adopt a mindfulness practice like journaling, meditation, or yoga.

7. Make sure you’re well-hydrated

Many people don’t realize it, but hydration involves way more than just water. It’s also crucial to get electrolytes, like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, to stay properly hydrated. These minerals have the additional job of keeping your body’s pH levels healthy and research has shown (20) that calcium and potassium boost CB1 transport and activity.

8. Avoid ECS saboteurs

It only makes sense that if some factors can improve the health of the ECS, others can hinder it. Pesticides and chemicals are on that list. Research has shown these pesky toxins can block the activity (21) of the endocannabinoid system. To reduce your exposure, buy organic produce (especially when it’s on the Dirty Dozen list) and store your food and water in glass and stainless steel instead of plastic.

9. Move your body

The ECS appreciates your efforts to work out as much as any other part of your body! Research suggest that exercise can both increase levels of your natural CB1 activator, anandamide, (22) as well as your CB1 receptor sensitivity. (23)

10. Treat yourself

Dark chocolate can support the natural endocannabinoid anandamide, as well as compounds that slow the breakdown of this endocannabinoid, which helps stimulate your endocannabinoid system.

So there you have it! Ten easy ways to make sure your ECS is running as smoothly as possible and that your CBD is really able to do its job.

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