Many people link Cannabidiol (CBD) with multiple health benefits, and as a result, CBD’s popularity continues to grow. In this post, we will look at it’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits in depth. Researchers have done many studies trying to find out how CBD interacts with the body, and this post will look at a few of these studies.
What are antioxidants?
As a response to food and other environmental factors, our bodies produce free radicals that harm the body’s cells and functions. Antioxidants are responsible for slowing down or stopping the effect of the free radicals.
If the body cannot effectively eliminate the free radicals, it may result in oxidative stress. Experts have linked oxidative stress with heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. By preventing oxidative stress, antioxidants can help the body maintain its overall health. Antioxidants can be found in the body or plant-based foods.
As an antioxidant
The free radicals mentioned above are unstable atoms that try to gain stability by stealing body cells’ electrons. CBD has a free oxygen atom, and it can donate this atom to a free radical, making it stable.
CBD, like other antioxidants, interrupts the free radicals’ chain reactions by converting the free radicles into less active forms. Researchers have found it to be a more effective antioxidant as compared to vitamin A and vitamin E.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be responsible for dealing with oxidative stress, and since it interacts with the ECS, it may help with the therapeutic modulation of oxidative stress. According to research, it can increase anandamide levels, and the anandamide may indirectly influence antioxidant enzyme production.
As mentioned above, environmental factors may result in the production of free radicals. Environmental factors, such as the UV rays, mainly affect the skin. As a result, oxidative stress affects the skin, and it tends to get wrinkles and age fast.
For protection against skin damage, the skin has melanin and bodily antioxidants. One may also seek antioxidant supplements such as vitamin A, Vitamin E, and CBD. However, it does not only behave as an antioxidant but also stimulates melanin production.
In conclusion, it can be a good antioxidant due to how it relates to the body. Some researchers have said that it may be one of the best antioxidants available to us, and it has become prevalent in addressing skin damage.
What is inflammation?
Inflammation results from the body’s response to things that try to harm it, such as injuries, toxins, and infections. If something injures a cell, the body responds by sending antibodies, proteins and increasing blood flow in the specific area. If it is acute inflammation, the process may last for a few hours or even a day.
However, the response may linger for some time leading to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation may harm your body adversely if you do not seek treatment. Research links chronic inflammation to several conditions such as cancer, asthma, obesity, and heart disease.
There are several methods of treating chronic inflammation: the use of steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the use of supplements. Supplements include fish oil and lipoic acid. You can also use a cat’s claw extract as an anti-inflammatory supplement. Recently, people are now opting for CBD as an anti-inflammatory supplement, and this post tries to give more insight on it and how it can benefit chronic inflammation patients.
CBD as an anti-inflammatory supplement
Cytokines are part of the signaling molecules regulating inflammation. It indirectly regulates inflammation by regulating cytokine production. Researchers have done a lot of research to try to validate these claims.
National Cancer Institute has done some studies to test whether patients can use it for cancer treatment. The institute concluded that it might be a viable cancer treatment option due to its ability to moderate inflammation.
Experts conducted a study on rats to test whether oral CBD is a therapeutic agent for chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. The researchers found that it was effective in reducing inflammation in rats.
In addition to these studies, researchers have conducted a test tube study showing that CBD;
- Applies anti-inflammation actions on human sebocytes
- Inhibits production of inflammatory cytokines
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, experts regard CBD as an effective and safe way for skin and acne treatment. The effective anti-inflammatory characteristics can also help for treating and preventing heart diseases.
Animal studies show that CBD can help reduce inflammation involved with heart diseases. In 2017, researchers tested how it regulates blood pressure, and they found that a single dose of CBD led to a reduction of blood pressure. Considering that blood pressure causes inflammation and heart diseases, one can argue that itcan indirectly reduce inflammation and prevent heart diseases.
In conclusion, CBD has effective anti-inflammatory characteristics. These characteristics make CBD be a potential treatment option for cancer, skin acne, and other inflammatory conditions.
Is it safe?
It is generally considered safe to use. However, it might not be safe to use CBD with some medications as it may affect how the medicines function. If you are on medication, consult with your doctor before taking it.
Some experts say that CBD may be the safest method of treating chronic inflammation. Some of the side effects you may experience when taking CBD include diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. However, CBD affects people differently, and some people may not share these side effects.
Where to get it?
Depending on your state laws, may be available over the counter, and also you can buy it online. Some CBD products may be substandard, so ensure you buy it from a trusted source. One example of a trusted site is botanicam.com, as it only deals with standard CBD products. Carefully evaluate every product and research it to confirm it is a standard product.
Key Takeaway
There is plenty of evidence that supports the claim that CBD has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Due to these benefits, CBD can be a viable treatment for different conditions and ailments that affect many people. Try out these supplements, and find out whether they can help with your condition.