The wellness industry has seen a huge surge of hemp and CBD-related products over the past couple of years. While once shunned as a strange alternative to medicine and other health products, we’re now seeing them incorporated into everything from shampoos to edible goods.
These natural substances are now being hailed for many potential health benefits, making them an incredibly popular choice for anyone who’s seeking alternative remedies to common health issues. So in this post, we’re going to help you better understand CBD and hemp, how they can be used to improve your health, and if you should try to use these products.
What is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 100 different cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant. Another common cannabinoid that you find in the plant is tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. This is the psychoactive component of cannabis that creates the feeling of a high.
This is what makes smoking cannabis as a recreational drug so attractive to many people. However, cannabis does have the potential to become a health product too, but it has a bad reputation for doing so due to the THC content. With CBD, you’re essentially isolating the part of cannabis that comes with health benefits and removing the psychoactive component. This is what makes CBD so promising as an alternative remedy.
What is hemp?
Hemp is a variety of the common cannabis plant that is grown specifically for industrial use. It has low THC levels, making it a non-psychoactive plant. It’s extremely versatile when used in the production of everything from food and biofuel to textiles. However, it’s also a great source of CBD as well, hence why there’s an influx of hemp products on the market.
The health benefits of CBD and hemp
There are a large number of potential health benefits of CBD and hemp, such as:
- Pain relief – CBD and hemp products are widely recognized thanks to their ability to relieve pain. They interact with the endocannabinoid system in the body which helps to regulate the pain we feel. Studies suggest that CBD could help with chronic pain and inflammation, making it an effective pain management option.
- Reducing anxiety and depression – CBD and hemp products may also help with mental health disorders. It’s often used as a natural treatment for conditions like anxiety and depression thanks to its ability to interact with the serotonin receptors in the brain. These play a key role in regulating mood, hence CBD’s ability to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Supporting heart health – Research suggests that CBD may have benefits for heart health thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These can both reduce heart disease risks. CBD has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, both of which can contribute to heart-related issues.
- Improving sleep – CBD can also help those who struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders. Studies have shown that it could potentially increase sleep amounts and improve insomnia symptoms.
- Skin health – Hemp oil contains many essential fatty acids and nutrients that can benefit your skin. It can help moisturize your skin, reduce inflammation, and also improve conditions like acne and eczema.
- Neuroprotective properties – Lastly, CBD is currently being studied for its neuroprotective properties. In the future, it could potentially be used to treat conditions such as epilepsy.
Using CBD and hemp products
Incorporating CBD and hemp products into your lifestyle can be relatively simple.
For example, there are many brands such as DZ hemp products that offer a wide range of items such as CBD oils and tinctures, vape cartridges, and even edibles. Each of these can be taken in different ways to make it more convenient for you, and they also come with many different advantages as CBD is used in so many different ways.
Other forms include topical creams and lotions, capsules, and beverages. These are all simple and convenient ways to take CBD and hemp products, but it’s important to take a closer look at the ingredients and benefits to ensure you’re taking something good for your body. Of course, it helps to get your products from the likes of cbdMD so you know you can trust them.
Is it worth using CBD and hemp products?
CBD and hemp offer a huge range of potential health benefits. Whether it’s pain relief, improved mental health, or improved sleep quality, there’s a lot to like about CBD and hemp products. However, as with any kind of alternative remedy, it’s best to consult your doctor or any healthcare professional before you start taking these products on a regular basis. This will help protect your well-being and help you learn more about the products before you ingest or apply them.