There’s a good chance you’ve heard several claims about CBD over the past few years. As a health supplement or medical treatment option, it has gained a great deal of public awareness. This is thanks to numerous articles and social media posts hyping it up as the next big thing to solve any number of health and wellness issues. CBD health benefits are real, but it is important to use context and research to decipher which claims are true. Here is a list of the main benefits of CBD with clinical studies to back them up.

#1) Pain

CBD interacts with the receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS) that runs through our nervous system. It binds with the receptors to block pain signals sent through our body, so you do not experience pain with the same intensity. This makes it an effective form of pain relief for acute pain, as well as chronic conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia.

#2) Inflammation

CBD is also able to reduce inflammation in your muscles, joints, skin, and more. Clinical studies have shown this is the case, but it is not yet fully clear how it achieves this. It is believed that it involves the signal pathways involved in the process of inflammation occurring, specifically by preventing the production of enzymes that are necessary for inflammation to happen. However,  more study is needed to fully understand this.

#3) Mental Health

Anxiety, stress and depression are common issues in a significant portion of the population. It has been shown to have antidepressant effects, it has been shown to help people with PTSD, and it has been found to help with situational stress and anxiety like with public speaking.

#4) Sleep

CBD has been found to help improve sleep. It appears to achieve this by strengthening our natural circadian rhythm so we feel more tired around bedtime, and by eliminating internal health issues such as pain and stress that can make it harder to fall asleep.

#5) Acne

Some early clinical studies have shown the potential for CBD to treat acne. First, its anti-inflammatory properties can help, since inflamed skin is one of the major contributing factors to an acne breakout. It has also been found to prevent the production of sebum, an oil our bodies produce that can also lead to acne breakouts. CBD also has a lot of antioxidants and omega fatty acids, both of which are common ingredients in skincare products.

#6) Muscle Recovery

Exercise often leads to sore and inflamed muscles and joints. The fatty acids, antioxidants, pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD makes it an ideal ingredient in muscle recovery supplements. You can get CBD protein powder to make smoothies, or protein bars for a pre or post-workout snack that will also help speed up your recovery.

#8) Parkinson’s Disease

CBD has been used to help improve the quality of sleep and overall quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease. It is by no means a cure, but CBD seems to have some neuroprotective properties. Each study did note that it required larger scale clinical trials to really investigate the effects and benefits of CBD for people with Parkinson’s.

There are other potential benefits of CBD that are still being researched. There is an early research study that has shown the potential of CBD to kill cancer cells, prevent seizure activity in people with epilepsy, and more. It can act as a supplement at lower doses from good quality outlets like hemmfy.com, or come in higher concentration levels to act as prescription-level medication. Always ask your doctor about CBD before trying it if you use other medication, as it can cause a bad reaction when mixed.