Find out all the benefits of CBD Oil here...

Do your friends and family use CBD oil? Could you be missing out?

Peak Organics is a huge advocate for CBD products, and we supply only the best CBD oil, patches, edibles, skincare, and vape hardware in the UK.

Here we explain everything you need to know about the popular natural remedy – including the health benefits and potential side effects it can bring.

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil, short for cannabidiol oil, is an extract of cannabis sativa that’s diluted with coconut oil or hemp seed oil.

There are many chemical compounds (cannabinoids) derived from the cannabis plant, and CBD is the second most prevalent, following tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid that – when smoked or used in cooking – causes the sensation of getting “high”. Unlike THC, cannabidiol isn’t psychoactive. So, when a person puts CBD oil directly under their tongue or with their food or drink, their state of mind won’t change. 

What is CBD oil used for?

Whilst research on the potential health benefits of CBD oil is still ongoing, it has been used as a form of alternative therapy for thousands of years.

It’s believed to treat a wide range of health problems, including (but not limited to):

  • Anxiety
  • Chronic pain
  • Depression
  • Drug addiction or withdrawal
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • High blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle spasms
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Skin conditions
  • Stress

What are the benefits of using CBD oil?

CBD oil is slowly yet surely gaining momentum in the health and wellness world, with many seeing just how effective this natural remedy can be for common ailments.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways CBD oil can benefit a person’s health. 

  1. Reduce anxiety and depression

Doctors often advise people who suffer from mental health disorders and depression to avoid cannabis, as THC can exacerbate feelings of nervousness and paranoia.

However, CBD oil can be used to reduce anxiety-related behaviours in people with PTSD, social anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. 

  1. Help with insomnia

Do you struggle to get to sleep at night? When you finally drop off, do you find it hard to stay asleep? Insomnia is a troublesome and common sleep disorder, and many people find that CBD oil can help them to achieve a more restful night’s sleep.

CBD is also thought to help control cortisol levels – a stress hormone that is usually higher in the morning. People with insomnia may have higher levels at bedtime, which explains why they find it difficult to drift off. 

  1. Alleviate pain

Though conventional drugs, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, can help to relieve stiffness and pain, some consider CBD oil a more natural alternative.

It can increase the body’s levels of anandamide (a compound associated with regulating pain), and effectively treat pain related to multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis. 

  1. Improve skin conditions

Eczema, psoriasis, acne, skin cancer – they are all skin conditions that CBD oil could help combat.

CBD oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, anti-ageing, and anti-cancer properties. It also helps to lower sebum production, which often causes acne. 

  1. Lower blood pressure

High blood pressure can cause several health conditions, including angina, stroke, and heart disease.

Whilst more human experiments are needed, several animal studies have demonstrated that CBD products can benefit heart health by reducing blood pressure and oxidative stress and preventing heart damage. 

  1. Relief from chemotherapy side effects

CBD products, including CBD oils, may prevent the spread of some cancers – inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells and promoting their destruction.

CBD could potentially improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduce the side effects (e.g. pain, nausea, vomiting, etc.) as well. 

  1. Offers neuroprotection

Given its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, CBD can treat several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Huntingdon’s, Alzheimer’s, and MS.

More and more people with Parkinson’s are choosing to take CBD oil to improve their quality of life and ability to sleep, whilst others with Alzheimer’s are eager to prevent cognitive decline for as long as possible. 

  1. Reduce seizure activity

People with epilepsy often experience recurring seizures. However, the FDA approved Epidiolex (a purified form of CBD) to treat two rare forms of epilepsy; Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

With that in mind, scientists are starting to understand why CBD oils and similar products are being used to prevent the severity of seizures without the sedating side effects of medication. 

  1. Diabetes prevention

You may have heard people using CBD oil to treat diabetes – controlling their blood sugar levels, calming inflammation, and easing nerve pain.

Although most studies of CBD’s effects on diabetes have been on rats or mice, the cannabinoid doesn’t make you feel high and is believed to cut down hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose), lower cholesterol, and increase insulin production. 

  1. Improve sex

More recently, CBD oil has made its way into the bedroom. Whilst it can reduce pain from chronic conditions, such as endometriosis, it’s also said to boost libido and increase lubrication.

As well as this, CBD can increase the natural neurotransmitters and endorphins that our bodies produce, ultimately making sex more enjoyable. 

Are there any side effects?

Generally, CBD oil is safe to use. However, it may cause adverse reactions in some people – most notably:

  • changes in appetite and weight
  • diarrhoea
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • feeling drowsy
  • low blood pressure
  • nausea
  • vomiting

CBD could interact with supplements and other drugs, too. So, if you have any ongoing medical issues or concerns, you should always consult a medical professional before starting alternative therapies.

The media has publicised the use of CBD oil for children experiencing seizures and many other conditions. But it’s not something experts recommend, as the effects it can have on developing brains are unclear. For similar reasons, CBD products should be avoided during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Although CBD appears to benefit users in various ways, more research is required to fully understand the short- and long-term effects this natural remedy can have on users.

To find out more about the CBD oil we supply here at Peak Organics or advice on the best products for your specific requirements, get in touch.