CBD popularity is growing fast in Boulder. Everybody from senior citizens with arthritic conditions to hard-training athletes have found this compound effective at managing conditions such as pain and inflammation. And based on current trends, this is only the beginning. We’re already seeing cannabidiol being used in beverages, cheeseburgers, tinctures, beauty products; and more recently, pet food.
The research firm Brightfield Group estimates that the CBD sales market could exceed $24 billion annually by 2025.[i]
So what’s driving it?
According to Brightfield Group, more than 60% of consumers are using the plant extract for anxiety.[ii]
Other common reasons include pain relief, insomnia, and depression. The number of celebrities using CBD has also increased, with popular figures like Martha Stewart and Kim Kardashian West openly promoting hemp extracts as a remedy for anxiety.
Sports figures have also jumped on the bandwagon. Pro golfer Bubba Watson uses it to fall asleep, while other names like Jake Plummer, Nate Diaz, and David Wells have come out as strong supporters of CBD.
So Why Is Cannabidiol So Popular Right Now?
CBD is extremely versatile. In fact, when you look closely at the people who use it regularly, it seems that cannabidiol provides relief for different ailments at different times.[iii]
Whether it’s an athlete or laborer using it for joint pain, or a more urgent case of panic attack, cannabidiol appeals to a wide range of users, each of whom experiences relief in their own unique way.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that CBD is non-psychotropic; meaning the user doesn’t get “high”. This means you can carry a small bottle of CBD oil to work without affecting your productivity. Furthermore, most employers test for the psychotropic THC, not CBD – which is a relief for employees.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid; which is important because the human body produces endocannabinoids for use in the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). When ingested, CBD activates two main endocannabinoid receptors in the brain (CB1 and CB2), which mainly influence hormonal function, as well as the immune system.
It is through these brain receptors that CBD causes changes in mood, energy, appetite, sleep, pain sensitivity, and inflammation, among other things. Keep in mind that CBD works with the body’s own healing mechanism, enabling certain elements of the endocannabinoid system (which generally includes glands of the endocrine system) to regulate themselves.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
Cannabidiol helps your body to heal itself by optimizing essential systems including the Endocannabinoid System. However, CBD also contains properties that extend beyond the hormones and nervous system. For instance, skin infections caused by bacteria or disturbances in pH may also be treated with CBD due to its antioxidant and antibacterial effects.
Similarly, the health implications of oxidation that causes free radicals can also be mitigated by taking CBD, which may help remove free radicals from the body.[iv]
Here are 7 more ways that CBD can improve your health:
1. CBD for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain affects millions of Americans, and CBD may offer you relief from different kinds of pain, including muscle pain, joint pain, and pain caused by injury. The exact mechanisms that make CBD and cannabis work as a pain killer are still being studied, though much of it has to do with the effect it has in the nervous system and pain receptors.
2. CBD Oil for Acne and Skin Treatments
Acne has been mentioned many times as one of the most common skin disorders that CBD can treat. Cannabidiol can be used to minimize oil production by reducing sebum proliferation. Other uses include providing moisture to the skin, removing toxins from the body, and balancing pH to enhance skin texture.
3. CBD for General Health
When used as a supplement, CBD may help enhance your mood, boost your energy levels, and strengthen your immune system to fight infection and disease. Speak to your doctor before supplementing your healthcare routine with cannabidiol and to discuss possible drug interactions if you’re currently undergoing treatment.
4. CBD for Cancer
There is no indication at the moment that taking cannabidiol can cure cancer. However, cancer patients may find it useful for managing debilitating cancer symptoms such as pain, nausea, headaches, lack of appetite, and mood disorders. This is especially true for individuals using chemotherapy.
5. CBD for ADHD Treatment
Researchers have found evidence that CBD can reduce emotional instability in teenagers and adults with anxiety and ADHD.[v] Other studies show positive results in symptom reduction for people with PTSD.[vi] We probably need long-term studies to learn just how well CBD can treat anxiety disorders.
6. CBD for Mental Health Problems
A 2019 study published in the Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy found that CBD reduced symptoms of depression in adults, and there is some indication that it can work as a remedy for long-standing mental health problems involving mood.[vii]
7. CBD for Sleep Disorders
Chronic pain or anxiety can quickly impact your sleep. Thankfully, there are several ways that CBD can help with sleep disorders:
- CBD can help manage pain, which makes it easier to fall asleep.
- CBD can reduce anxiety, which also enhances sleep.
- CBD can help increase production of melatonin, a sleep hormone.
- CBD may boost “happy” hormones like anandamide and serotonin, which increase feelings of calmness.
- CBD can help restore your circadian rhythm by regulating the functions of the ECS.
How Do I Take CBD?
There’s no “standard” way to use CBD. It depends on why you are taking it and how you prefer to consume it (smoking CBD strains, vaping CBD oil, eating CBD edibles, or applying a CBD balm or bath soak). CBD can also be ingested using a tincture or swallowed as a pill.
Before you start taking CBD, talk to your doctor (or veterinarian if you are considering CBD for your pet) to discuss possible benefits, drawbacks, and dosage. And if you are already a cannabidiol consumer and have questions about CBD products available in Boulder dispensaries, you can give us a call, browse our online CBD menu, or stop by our location in North Boulder to speak to a knowledgeable budtender.
- [i] https://content.brightfieldgroup.com/2019-us-cbd-market
- [ii] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/style/self-care/cbd-oil-benefits.html
- [iii] https://www.cbdcentral.com/
- [iv] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3085542/
- [v] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=cannabidiol%20reduces%20the%20anxiety%20induced%20by%20simulated%20public%20speaking%20in%20treatment&cmd=correctspelling
- [vi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6482919/
- [vii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891061818302114