CBD is everywhere these days. Don’t look now, but there’s actually CBD right behind you! Kidding. Kind of. Because CBD is all over lately. But do you know why?
It has to do with the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized the regulated production of hemp in the United States. When this bill was signed into law in 2018, it granted hemp manufacturers the right to mass produce, sell, and transport hemp – and for you to be able to possess and use it. [1]
There was, however, one catch.
Hemp is the same plant species as marijuana, which contains the psychoactive cannabinoid known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). With the 2018 Farm Bill, if you want to be within the legality of the bill, your hemp needs to contain less than 0.3% THC.
While this may have bummed out your cousin who always goes on suspiciously long “walks” during family gatherings, this bill had major implications for the natural health world. See, while THC produces the “high” associated with marijuana, there are TONS of other cannabinoids within hemp which have been shown to be highly beneficial for human health without causing any psychoactive effects.
The 2018 Farm Bill – along with other recent legislature – has opened up a whole new area of research into these cannabinoids. Previously, it was difficult to study beneficial cannabinoids due to the restrictions on hemp. So, studies were few and far between. But now, scientists are finding out what they suspected about certain cannabinoids all along – they’re amazing for human health.
While there are numerous beneficial cannabinoids, in this blog, we want to talk to you specifically about one with the most scientific research: cannabidiol (CBD).
Like all cannabinoids, CBD interacts with something in the body called the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is a system of receptors and chemicals (cannabinoids made by your body called endocannabinoids) that bring a balance to several areas of you health. CBD is able to interact with the ECS in many ways, leading to a lot of benefits. [2, 3]
This brings us to the subject of this blog: the many benefits of CBD. Let’s dive right in!
7 Benefits of CBD
1. Improves sleep
If you have any sleep issues, or if you just occasionally find yourself having a difficult time falling and staying asleep, consider adding CBD to your nightly regimen. There’s scientific research to back CBD as a natural support for quality sleep at bedtime.
For example, a large case series from 2019 found that CBD use improved sleep in participants by nearly 67% after just one month! [4]
Perhaps these people had an imbalance within their ECS. Or there could have been something else at work.
When we’re stressed, our bodies produce a hormone called cortisol. Dubbed “the stress hormone”, cortisol can negatively impact sleeping patterns. But according to research, CBD can help regulate cortisol levels, helping us to relax. [5]
2. Supports joint health
If you know someone who regularly takes CBD, chances are they’re doing it for the health of their joints. As we age, our joints can get sore, stiff, and worn down, threatening our mobility and independence. For this reason, it’s crucial to maintain their health, and thankfully, CBD can help majorly with joint health.
For starters, the way CBD interacts with the ECS can support the joints – specifically pain sensitivity. This is important if you already have a condition that causes discomfort within your joints. CBD has been shown to increase the levels of anandamide in our bodies. This is a compound that has been associated with reducing pain perception and improving mood. [6]
More recent research also supports the notion that CBD doesn’t necessarily reduce pain intensity, but instead makes the pain feel less unpleasant. A study carried out in early 2021 investigated the effects of cannabinoid drugs on pain by safely inducing experimental heat pain before measuring how the nervous system reacts and responds to it. By using pure CBD isolate oil, researchers found that while CBD didn’t reduce the volume of the pain, it made the pain less bothersome. [7]
CBD can also lower aches and discomfort within the joints by helping manage inflammation. Research has shown that CBD reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory cells in the body, all while increasing the levels and effectiveness of crucial immune cells. [8]
CBD has also been found to target the areas of the joints suffering from chronic inflammation in those with rheumatoid arthritis, providing relief. [9]
And if all of that wasn’t enough, CBD can also help strengthen the tissue of the joints. An analysis of CBD joint studies concluded that there is sufficient evidence that CBD may be able to both reduce cartilage degradation and facilitate cartilage repair. [10]
3. Protects and supports brain cells
Cannabinoid receptors are dispersed throughout many brain regions and are responsible for regulating numerous aspects of activity within your brain. [11]
As such, ongoing research is showing that CBD may have neuroprotective properties, specifically against cognitive decline and certain conditions and disorders of the brain. [12]
One of the main factors in cognitive decline has to do with oxidative stress and inflammation. These cause damage to neurons, inhibiting proper brain function. Thankfully, CBD has been shown to offer protective effects in the brain by reducing these factors. [13, 14]
Another major precursor to neurodegeneration is the loss and degradation of neurons. It was once thought that when brain cells were lost, they were gone forever, but scientists now understand that the opposite is true – through neurogenesis, your neurons can be repaired and even replaced.
Tests from 2021 showed that CBD can help both repair and replace neurons, supporting cognition. [15]
4. Relieves anxiety and depression
A lot of what causes anxiety and depression has to do with chemical reactions in the brain. Regulating levels of these chemicals is how it’s believed CBD can help reduce symptoms of these two conditions.
For example, CBD helps increase levels of what’s been dubbed the “bliss molecule” – a neurotransmitter called anandamide named after the Sanskrit word for “happiness, pleasure, joy, and delight”. [16]
Researchers believe that a deficiency in endocannabinoids, such as anandamide, can lead to depression, migraines, and other conditions of the brain and nervous system. They also theorize that endocannabinoids like anandamide can offer protection against conditions like anxiety and depression. [17, 18]
It’s also thought that anandamide can help better regulate the body’s stress response. [19]
But there’s another neurotransmitter CBD can influence – serotonin, a chemical that controls mood and makes you feel happy. Low levels of serotonin are linked to depression. Though CBD isn’t thought to necessarily increase serotonin levels, it changes how your body uses the serotonin it does have, activating it and allowing it to better bind to receptors. [20]
So how does this translate to helping you?
There have been plenty of studies on CBD and anxiety in particular. Let’s take a look:
- A 2011 study showed that CBD reduced anxiety and discomfort during public speaking in people with social anxiety disorder. [21]
- Another 2011 study found that CBD reduced anxiety symptoms in people with social anxiety disorder. [22]
- A 2015 review of 49 studies found evidence that suggests CBD could help with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [23]
- A 2019 study found that out of 11 patients with PTSD, 91% experienced reduced symptoms after taking CBD. [24]
- A study in 2019 used CBD to treat people who were struggling with anxiety. Remarkably, almost 80% of people’s anxiety improved within the first month. [25]
5. Relieves menstrual pain
Chances are that you either know someone who gets menstrual cramps or you get them yourself. These types of cramps are quite common, with approximately 75% of women experiencing cramps during their periods. [26]
Because of its natural ability to alleviate discomfort and help manage the body’s inflammatory response, CBD is becoming increasingly popular to help relieve menstrual cramps.
A recent review of studies that looked into CBD as an aid for PMS showed that the compound could be helpful in providing relief to many of the symptoms involved with the syndrome. [27]
Another study from 2015 found that CBD may help provide menstrual cramp relief due to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. [28]
Additionally, some researchers theorize that the main cause of menstrual pain – along with many other PMS symptoms – has to do with inflammation. CBD’s ability to regulate the body’s inflammatory response is well documented. As such, it may help provide relief by managing inflammation. [29, 30]
6. Boosts immunity
As mentioned above, we’re about to see a lot more research into how CBD can benefit our health, thanks to the passing of recent legislation. One area of interest will certainly be immunity, as there isn’t a ton of research surrounding CBD and immunity, but what is out there shows plenty of promise.
For example, CBD can help boost the immune system and protect against infection. Research has shown that the compound helps regulate the immune system for a more robust and targeted response. [31]
7. May increase hair growth
While research is limited in this area as well, there are some interesting findings that show CBD intake may contribute to increased hair growth.
Once again, it comes back to the ECS. Certain cannabinoid receptors have been found to be key players in hair follicle growth. As such, CBD may be able to help regulate the health of hair follicles. [32]
CBD has also been shown to help the hair properly cycle through its growth phases. [33]
Additionally, it may help regulate hormones which are often involved in hair loss conditions. [34]
Is CBD actually legal?
Okay, so now you may be thinking, these benefits sound great – but I’m still worried about the legality of CBD.
Maybe a coworker told you that CBD isn’t legal everywhere, or you read somewhere that the lines are a bit blurry when it comes to buying CBD. Or perhaps someone asked you could CBD show up on a drug test and you’re not so sure. After all, you don’t want to get in trouble with the law, even if you are getting major health benefits from CBD.
So, is CBD actually legal in the United States?
This all depends on where you live. There are both federal and state regulations on CBD use, and familiarizing yourself with your local CBD laws can help ease your mind about trying this healing compound.
You may be thinking that this shouldn’t be so difficult. It’s either legal or it isn’t, right? But the issue is because of how CBD is grown and extracted.
CBD comes from a plant species called cannabis sativa. Plants in this family include cannabis and hemp, which most people consider “sister plants.” The main difference between the two is that cannabis contains more THC – the cannabinoid responsible for the “high” feeling the teenagers keep talking about – and hemp contains more CBD. As such, some legislators worry that even hemp-derived CBD contains the illegal compound THC. This is why the 2018 Farm Bill clarified that hemp is only legal to produce if it contains less than 0.3% THC.
Essentially, CBD is legal in every state and Washington D.C.
But many states have conditions.
While there are a number of states that have zero restrictions on CBD, just as many have certain conditions that need to be met if you want to purchase and use CBD. In most of them, it’s that the THC level within the hemp plant the CBD was derived from needs to be at a certain percentage. Following the federal guideline, most are set at 0.03%. But some states allow no traces of THC whatsoever. Others allow up to 0.05%, but you need a medical license. Some don’t care about the percentage as long as the CBD is derived from hemp. And some states, like Mississippi, require you to not just have a medical license, but you can only obtain your CBD from the University of Mississippi.
So, as you can see, it’s hard to say just yes or no to the question of CBD’s legality within the United States.
If you’re interested in trying CBD, we recommend researching the CBD laws within your state. And, because of the THC content, you’re likely going to want broad-spectrum CBD.
There are also a range of other questions you may have regarding CBD. Don’t worry, we answer them all here!
But ultimately, you may be wondering about the best way to take CBD. To make a long story short, here at SomaLeaf, we recommend a liquid solution of carefully extracted CBD encapsulated in liposomes.
Liposomal CBD
Liposomes are vesicles with phospholipid bilayers that are natural to your body. They’ve been shown to be extremely effective in delivering everything from vitamins to pharmaceuticals safely to where they need to go within the body. [35]
Liposomes allow the CBD to survive the acidic environment of the stomach and be delivered right to the intestinal wall where they can be readily absorbed.
One study compared liposomal CBD with non-liposomal CBD. They gave the first group of participants your standard orally administered CBD and the second group orally administered liposomal CBD. [36]
After one hour, they measured CBD absorption in the bloodstream. The non-liposomal group only had 6 out of 15 participants showing CBD in the blood, while the entire liposomal group showed CBD in their blood.
On top of that, CBD levels were significantly higher in the liposomal group. The highest concentration of CBD detected at one hour was 5.9 ng/mL in the liposomal CBD group compared to a mere 1.3 ng/mL in the non liposomal group. That’s nearly five times as much!
CBD for you
The bottom line is that CBD can have some amazing health benefits, especially if you’re somebody already struggling with an issue like insomnia, joint pain, or the worry of cognitive decline.
But ensuring you have a type of CBD that can be fully absorbed and used by your body is the most important step if you actually want to see results. This is why here at SomaLeaf, we have our Micelle Liposomal CBD Turmeric formula.
Not only does our liquid CBD formula allow this crucial cannabinoid to go directly where it needs to go within your body, but it’s enhanced with organic turmeric for further health benefits.
