Chronic kidney disease affects millions of people worldwide. In the US alone, 15 percent of adults are estimated to have this disorder. Even worse, 9 in 10 adults with chronic kidney disease do not know they have it, thus taking far too long to address a severe health issue.
A person can live with one functioning kidney, but if both kidneys fail, only two options are available — a kidney transplant is the first option. The second and most common option is dialysis, which involves the person having to regularly go to the hospital to remove the waste, toxins, and extra fluid from the non-functioning organs.
There are no other cures for kidney disease, and indeed, CBD, the trending new product on the market, cannot fix the issue. However, more people are turning to this natural compound because of its various benefits, and it might prove to be helpful to people with chronic kidney disease.
What is CBD?
Cannabinol (CBD) is derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant, which means it comes from the same family as marijuana. Yet, there is a crucial difference between CBD and marijuana, which makes the former much safer as a natural treatment. While marijuana contains a high percentage of THC in it, causing it to have psychoactive effects, CBD products with less than 0.3 percent in them have no psychoactive effects. This means that you cannot get high from CBD.
To date, research on CBD has been relatively limited to animal testing, so there isn’t substantial data on how this natural compound affects humans. However, from the limited body of research gathered so far, researchers have observed encouraging evidence of CBD playing a massive role in helping people with various chronic conditions and mental health disorders.
CBD works on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The latter is a bodily system that manages critical functions such as body temperature, mood, appetite, fertility, and sleep. The ECS does so to attain homeostasis — optimal balance — in the body. It achieves this result with the help of its receptors moving through the mind and body.
Although researchers have yet to understand how CBD affects the receptors, they have observed that this natural compound signals them to implement change in the body. For example, there is evidence that CBD can stimulate the receptors into releasing more serotonin in the body. Serotonin is the happy chemical, and it is why people experience less anxiety and feel more peaceful when they take CBD.
Due to the growing evidence in favor of CBD, many are now opting for this natural compound to treat or manage health conditions such as diabetes, infertility, heart disease, depression, insomnia, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy.
Another point in favor of CBD is that it comes in many forms. You can take a drop of CBD oil, ingest a gummy, or use a balm. Various CBD providers like cbdoil.co.uk are selling high-quality products.
How can CBD help kidneys?
Although CBD cannot cure kidney disease, it can help ease specific symptoms of this health issue. The most common symptoms resulting from kidney disease include chronic pain, insomnia, itching, nausea, and anemia. Moreover, the lack of energy and a constant feeling of being sick are common symptoms as well.
When it comes to pain, preliminary studies have shown that CBD does have the potential to reduce pain thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. In two separate studies involving mice with multiple sclerosis and mice with arthritis, researchers observed decreased inflammation in the joints when the mice were given a dose of CBD.
Studies show that this natural compound can encourage better sleep by cutting down the time it takes us to fall asleep in high doses. On the other hand, in low doses, CBD can infuse users with a sense of well-being and feel more energetic. This results from CBD’s work on the receptors in encouraging them to release more serotonin and dopamine in the body.
CBD can also ease nausea and encourage the user to eat more. A 2011 study on animals suggested that CBD may reduce nausea through its interaction with the serotonin receptors. These days, cancer patients who experience nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy are opting for CBD to ease these uncomfortable symptoms.
CBD may also reduce inflammation in the kidneys and slow down the kidneys’ degeneration. Researchers suggest this hypothesis as they have found the ECS’s receptors in the kidneys.
Although they do not know the receptors’ role in managing the degeneration of the kidney, due to CBD’s relationship with the receptors, this could prove an important link. This natural compound may have the potential to protect these organs from oxidative damage, as well as nephrotoxicity.
CBD as a safer alternative
There is a great deal more that needs to be learned about CBD, but one more encouraging factor regarding this natural compound is that researchers have not observed any harmful side effects.
Some users have reported nausea and diarrhea, but most users experience nothing of this kind.
Much like other things that we ingest, the liver metabolizes CBD, and yet, researchers have not found evidence of it causing any harm to the kidneys.
One of the main benefits of using CBD over other medications is that it doesn’t cause any further deterioration to the kidneys. This is unlike other pain medication, such as opiates and acetaminophen, which have been proven to harm sensitive cells found in the kidneys.
Using CBD with caution
Although early research shows encouraging evidence in favor of CBD, you must use this natural compound with caution, especially if you have kidney disease. Having the opinion of a doctor is the best way to do this.
There is no risk of overdose with CBD. However, this natural compound can inhibit specific medication work, so it is critical to check with your doctor if it is safe to take. Your doctor will guide you through the right dosage, the best time to take CBD, and whether your condition allows you to experiment with a new medication.
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