Cannabidiol has been used as a natural alternative to medicine for many years. The market has grown rapidly since 2014, and it’s expected that consumer sales of CBD will reach a staggering 1.8 billion dollars by 2022, which is a sharp increase of about half a billion dollars in 2018. With so many Americans purchasing CBD, it’s clear to see that CBD is something special, but why?
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons CBD oil is becoming more common as well as some of its many benefits and uses.
Table of Contents:
1. What Is CBD Oil Used for?
1.1 CBD Oil Benefits
1.2 Side Effects of CBD
2. Seven CBD Uses That Can Help Make Life Better
2.1 Makes Working from Home Less Stressful
2.2 Helps You Calm Down in Tense Situations
2.3 Helps Improve Your Sleeping Habits
2.4 Combats Poor Skin
2.5 Supports Your Workout Routine
2.6 Supports Healthy Sex and Fertility
2.7 Improves Symptoms of OCD and PTSD
3. Final Thoughts on How Cannabidiol Can Improve Your Life
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1. What Is CBD Oil Used for?
CBD can be used for a variety of different ailments, both physical and mental. That being said, there are a variety of different CBD uses.
Many individuals have found success using cannabidiol for relieving stress, depression, and anxiety. Others have found it incredibly helpful at managing chronic physical pain, such as sore joints or tense muscles. (Click to Tweet)
One of the best things about CBD is its undeniable versatility. Cannabidiol is suitable for everyone, from those who are younger to those who are elderly. Many athletes use CBD products, and so do many individuals who aren’t very active other than their everyday activities. (Click to Tweet)
1.1 CBD Oil Benefits
For those of you who don’t know much about cannabidiol, you may be scratching your head, asking, “What is CBD good for?” Well, CBD has shown success in helping people in the following areas:
- Pain and inflammation
- Managing chronic pain
- Reducing anxiety and depression
- Stimulating appetite
- Reducing pain caused by certain diseases, cancers, and other conditions
- Helping individuals manage stress and relax
- Helping individuals fight daytime fatigue and boost energy levels
That in itself says a lot about how CBD benefits all sorts of different individuals with various issues.
But here’s the thing:
The benefits of cannabidiol do not stop there. Before we move on to some more specific ways CBD can help you in everyday life, let’s talk about some of the potential side effects of using cannabidiol.
1.2 Side Effects of CBD
Cannabidiol is typically well-tolerated by most individuals. However, there are a few side effects to look out for.
Taking too much cannabidiol may result in the following side effects:
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
These may also occur if you are buying low-quality CBD from a source that’s not reputable. Avoiding unwanted side effects could be as simple as switching to a more premium product; it may require you to lower your dose or a combination of doing both.
The most important rules are: first, read the product labeling instructions. Don’t double your dose from the start; try the dose they recommend first and then experiment with larger doses once you get a feel for the product.
RELATED: What Is the Correct CBD Dosage?
This is where things get way more interesting.
Now that we know what CBD is typically used for and we’ve gone over possible side effects, let’s get into some of the everyday situations that many of us find ourselves in where CBD may be able to offer a helping hand.
2. Seven CBD Uses That Can Help Make Life Better
CBD isn’t specifically for one type of person, and that’s what makes it so great. Almost anyone can find a potential reason to add cannabidiol to their daily routine and reap the benefits from it.
For example, someone who is a personal trainer may use CBD as a workout recovery aid. Someone else may use cannabidiol products to improve their sleep quality, especially if they have issues falling asleep or staying asleep at night. The options are seemingly endless when it comes to utilizing CBD.
Another great thing about cannabidiol is the vast number of products you can find on the market; there is truly something for everyone. Premium balms, capsules, tinctures, skincare products, even pet products can be found, all of which contain the healing benefits of CBD.
So let’s go over some real-life scenarios that may be a bit better if CBD were to be involved.
2.1 Makes Working from Home Less Stressful
Many of us have converted to an at-home office and work situation due to the pandemic. Whether you’ve been doing it for years or you’ve just recently transitioned, working from home can be stressful.
Focus is finite, and it requires regular breaks and patience to keep it performing optimally. Plan a few short breaks throughout your workday, as working from home can often suck you in. Research suggests that scheduled breaks can improve productivity and performance. [1]
RELATED: Can CBD Oil Make Working from Home Easier?
CBD may also be able to make working from home a bit easier. It may help boost productivity by helping you focus and ease the mental strain and anxiety that often causes us to lose clarity and feel overwhelmed by our tasks and responsibilities. Cannabidiol helps improve concentration and attentiveness via stimulating a response from the brain’s dopamine receptors. (Click to Tweet)
Remember:
Dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter, and it’s a huge player in focus and memory.
2.2 Helps You Calm Down in Tense Situations
Tense situations tend to present themselves every now and then. The best way to combat the negative way you feel in these situations is to prepare yourself for them. CBD can alter serotonin levels, making it an extremely popular choice among those with anxiety. (Click to Tweet)
One study conducted in 2011 revealed that CBD affects the limbic and paralimbic areas of the brain, and as a result, it can successfully reduce anxiety. By adding CBD oil to your everyday regimen, you’re preparing yourself for situations that are likely going to provoke anxiety or stress. [2]
RELATED: Does CBD Help You Stay Cool, Calm, and Collected?
2.3 Helps Improve Your Sleeping Habits
Stress and anxiety can undoubtedly cause a lack of sleep, but so can a multitude of other factors. Some people don’t understand why they toss and turn all night; others know that they struggle with insomnia and have accepted that they will not feel rested once the morning comes.
Whether your sleeping habits are poor because of work, pain, insomnia, or other factors, CBD may be able to assist. Cannabidiol can not only help you relax but also may be able to affect the release of cortisol, possibly acting as a mild sedative. (Click to Tweet)
This is why there is such a strong and obvious link between CBD users and improved sleep.
There’s much more to learn when it comes to the link between CBD and sleep, as there isn’t a ton of research surrounding the topic. However, some findings have suggested that cannabidiol may have some therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia, and it may also be able to combat excessive daytime sleepiness as well.
RELATED: Does CBD Oil Make You Sleepy?
2.4 Combats Poor Skin
Many of us deal with acne occasionally, and others have more severe issues like psoriasis or eczema. Fortunately, CBD oil can help with a variety of different problems related to the skin.
One study from 2014 suggested that CBD may have an anti-inflammatory effect on sebocytes. Sebocytes are skin cells responsible for producing sebum. Too much sebum in a follicle can cause hardened plugs to form, which can then result in acne. [3]
In addition to affecting the sebocytes, CBD may also be able to reduce swelling, pain, irritation, and redness from existing breakouts. It may also prevent pain and irritation related to eczema and psoriasis.
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Cannabidiol is your go-to natural skincare product, as it checks all of the boxes when it comes to improving the look and feel of your skin.
2.5 Supports Your Workout Routine
Some recent studies have suggested that cannabidiol may help relieve delayed-onset muscle soreness as well as exercise-induced muscle damage. Both of these naturally occur after physical activity due to the microscopic damage to muscle fibers. This is because of cannabidiol’s healing properties, which relieve muscle pain, body aches, and inflammation. [4]
This is a major reason many athletes and those who love to stay active use CBD to support their exercise regimen. Aiding in muscle recovery and helping reduce pain and inflammation are major benefits.
RELATED: Does CBD Balm Help Win the Battle Against Sore Muscles?
2.6 Supports Healthy Sex and Fertility
It’s said that proper blood flow, lower stress levels, balanced hormones, and pain relief are all related to better, more satisfying sex. Some experts suggest that disturbances in these areas can dramatically decrease our performance in bed and impact our satisfaction from sex. CBD oil may be able to help maintain balance and manage all of these areas.
Cannabidiol has also been known to help balance testosterone levels. This is because the endocannabinoid system has receptors all over the body, including the reproductive organs, such as the testicles. The signaling between the ECS and CBD may be able to help regulate the performance of various systems, including organ function and testosterone production in testicles.
There have also been theories that there’s a link between cannabidiol and fertility, as CB receptors (ECS receptors that interact with cannabinoids, like CBD) can be found in the female reproductive system as well as in sperm. Scientists theorize that it may positively influence their functioning in a similar way that it boosts other functions throughout the human body.
RELATED: CBD Oil and Fertility—Do You Have All the Facts?
It’s also been suggested that endocannabinoids may be able to boost follicle maturation and ovarian function and increase the sperm’s ability to fertilize eggs. In short, this means that CBD might be a possible way to boost fertility naturally. However, substantial evidence to support this theory is lacking, and there is still much to learn about CBD, the ECS, and their role in sex and fertility.
2.7 Improves Symptoms of OCD and PTSD
Many individuals struggle with one or both of these mental health issues. Around one in 50 Americans is faced with the challenges of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and about one in 11 Americans will be diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their life.
RELATED: How Helpful is CBD in Dealing with OCD?
Since both of these conditions are relatively common, it has piqued some interest in the CBD community and individuals who happen to live with these issues. One study from 2021 ultimately suggested that higher concentrations of CBD and higher doses resulted in larger reductions of compulsions. [5]
Another study took a closer look at the effects cannabinoids such as CBD have on posttraumatic stress disorder. There were plenty of interesting findings in regard to how CBD may help individuals with PTSD, including that CBD and THC in addition to CBD modulated fear memory in rodents. [6]
RELATED: How CBD Oil Helps Deal with PTSD
The study also included that experimental data pointed toward cannabidiol having acute antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Another interesting finding was that THC reduced nightmares and obstructive sleep apnea, while THC in addition to CBD could potentially reduce insomnia. All of this points toward CBD being greatly beneficial for those suffering from PTSD.
3. Final Thoughts on How Cannabidiol Can Improve Your Life
There’s no doubt that CBD oil benefits are vast.
Whether you need to be more productive and focused while working from home, you need a little boost in the skin department, you need help managing certain mental conditions like OCD or PTSD, or you simply need to just calm down and relax a little bit…cannabidiol may be able to help. (Click to Tweet)
Its long list of benefits can’t be ignored!
RELATED: What Does CBD Do to Your Mind and Body?
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