You’ve likely heard a lot about CBD oil recently. It’s been in the headlines a lot, with many people praising its health benefits. If you haven’t seen the stories, don’t worry — some claims are true, some are still unproven.
If you want to try CBD oil, do it for benefits that have some scientific support, not just because of anecdotes. CBD oil comes from the cannabis plant, but it won’t get you high. The main compound, CBD, is not psychoactive — that’s THC, the substance that causes the “high.”
Here are the most studied and best-supported benefits of CBD oil:
Natural pain relief
CBD has been used to ease pain for a long time, and modern research has shown that specific compounds in cannabis, including CBD, can reduce pain. CBD can help with chronic pain like back pain, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis-related pain. People also use it for muscle recovery, menstrual cramps, and migraines — though evidence for migraine relief is limited, so it’s worth trying if other treatments haven’t worked. CBD has also helped some cancer patients who didn’t get enough relief from standard painkillers.
Mental health support
CBD may help with anxiety and depression by affecting serotonin receptors in the brain, a chemical linked to mood and social behavior. Some studies show promising results: one found reduced anxiety, another in animals showed antidepressant-like effects, and a small study of children with PTSD found CBD helped with insomnia and anxiety. More research is needed, but CBD shows potential as a natural alternative for some people.
Effective for certain types of epilepsy
There’s strong evidence that CBD helps treat some forms of epilepsy. In recent years, CBD-based medicines have been developed, and in places like the UK and USA, specialists can prescribe them. Clinical trials have shown CBD can lower the frequency of seizures in some patients.
Helps manage Parkinson’s symptoms
Parkinson’s disease causes a mix of motor and non-motor problems that worsen over time. While existing medications help some symptoms, they don’t address everything. Early studies suggest CBD may improve sleep and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s, but larger clinical trials are needed to confirm which symptoms it helps and what doses work best.
May improve symptoms of autism
There’s no cure for autism, but CBD has given some parents hope. Many personal stories report improvements in behavior and other symptoms. An Israeli study published in Neurology looked at 60 children and found that 80% improved after treatment with a high-concentration cannabis oil. That oil also contained about 1% THC, so it’s unclear whether THC played a role. Laws vary by country; for example, CBD products in the UK are limited to 0.2% THC.
Potential help for some skin conditions
Because CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, it may help skin issues like acne and eczema. Early studies suggest CBD can reduce sebum production and may treat and prevent acne, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
In short
CBD oil can help with several health issues, but we’re still learning about all its possible benefits. Ongoing clinical trials will clarify what works and what doesn’t. Many people will keep trying CBD for their symptoms, and since it’s generally considered safe and well tolerated, trying it may be reasonable for some.
If you’re in the UK and want to try CBD oil, sites like cbdoil.co.uk offer a range of products. Have you tried CBD oil? I’d love to hear whether it helped and how it affected your condition.