Don’t worry, be happy: CBD can ease your anxiety

For a growing number of us, cannabis is part of a healthy lifestyle. In moderation and in low doses, cannabis provides many wellness benefits. It’s not all about getting a buzz – it’s about a good night’s sleep, calming anxiety, relieving pain or even improving your skin tone.

No matter how you consume cannabis, it’s important to know a little about CBD. Research suggests that CBD-dominant cannabis with a relatively low THC profile provides the best combination for many wellness treatments. CBD does not provide the euphoric “high” found in THC.

Here are just a few ways in which CBD-rich cannabis can help with you with your wellness regimen:

It Can Relieve Anxiety

More than 40 million Americans — 18 percent of us — suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder. Studies suggest that cannabis contains anti-anxiety properties and benefits many people with issues related to anxiety disorders.

Anxiety is among the most common reasons cited for those seeking cannabis for medicinal purposes.. Why? The idea of taking fewer pharmaceutical drugs is an attractive proposition for many people. In states with legal cannabis, patients use significantly less prescription medication. Knowing that cannabis can be an affordable and safe option makes it worth a try.

A 1999 study in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry discovered a huge societal price tag for anxiety: Roughly one-third of America’s total mental health costs, $42 billion a year, goes to treating anxiety-related disorders.

CBD and Anxiety

If your anxiety is acting up or if you’re having trouble coping during a particularly stressful time, CBD-based medicine may be exactly what the doctor ordered.

It Can Refresh Your Skin

CBD is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and many cannabis companies are turning to CBD-dense topicals to help with inflammation. In fact, some researchers find that CBD may be a secret anti-aging ingredient and could add beneficial nutrients to your skin.

Inflammation is the root cause of a variety of skin ailments, from acne to acute irritation to rosacea. Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, applying it to your skin reduces puffiness, swelling and soreness. CBD oil is rich in fatty acids and it improves hydration and minimizes moisture loss. Studies suggest that CBD oil may even inhibit the growth of acne.

“CBD binds to a special set of receptors in the skin known as TRPV-1 receptors, where it can help feelings of heat, itch, and pain,” says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a New York-based dermatologist. “This explains why it has a soothing effect on the skin. Just as other natural oils are used in skin care, the natural fatty acids and antioxidants … make it a good choice for people with dry skin and eczema.”

It Can Reduce Pain

CBD may have real benefits for people living with chronic pain, Dr. Daniel Clauw, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Michigan, recently told Health.com. Clauw cites a recent clinical trial that found that a CBD-derived topical drug provided pain relief to patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

Cannabis Vs Opioids

“I don’t think we have that many good drugs for pain, and we know that CBD has fewer side effects than opioids or even nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can cause bleeding and cardiovascular problems,” Clauw told the medical website. “If I have an elderly patient with arthritis and a little bit of CBD can make their knees feel better, I’d prefer they take that than some other drugs.”

Studies reveal that CBD-rich cannabis can be as much as 20 times more effective than aspirin at reducing inflammation.

It Can Improve Your Sleep

In a study published in January 2018, “having trouble getting, and staying, asleep,” is among the chief reasons given by those seeking certification/prescription for medical marijuana use.

“Marijuana is an effective sleep aid because it restores a person’s natural sleep cycle, which so often falls out of sync with our schedules in today’s modern lifestyle,” says Dr. Matt Roman, a medical marijuana physician.

CBD For Insomnia - Longer Sleep Time

According to a 2017 review of research surrounding the efficacy of CBD for insomnia, the substance has the potential to treat certain sleep disorders. However, there is a small catch: Some problem sleepers report that they may feel energized by CBD. So, eating a few CBD-infused chewable items during the day may be more conducive to your sleep-wake cycle.

CBD has calming, anti-anxiety, and anti-psychotic effects. It also provides a longer sleep time and improves insomnia, according to research.

Have a conversation with a Greenlight Approved retail specialist to find the cannabis that will help you combat your condition. And remember: Start low (dose) and go slow.