We all know that medical marijuana can be used to treat a variety of health conditions. Folks have been saying it for decades! However, did you also know that many of the reported benefits you receive from medical marijuana are because of Cannabidiol (CBD), not Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; the stuff that gets you high))?

Science, governments and pharmaceutical companies have finally clued into this incredible substance. If you’ve never had the opportunity to try CBD, now that recreational use is legal in Canada, there has never been a more opportune time to explore this amazing plant.

Smoking isn’t your thing? No problem. You can take CBD by vaping it, ingesting it with edibles, gummies, or oils; as well as, a variety of other newer methods, such as inhalation inhalers, sublingual drops and/or sprays. To give you some more motivation; here are seven evidence-based health benefits you can receive from consistent CBD use.

Better Sleep

A session from an indica, THC cannabis strain at the end of the night can knock you out cold, we know that. CBD can also be used for sleep and treatment of sleep disorders. It doesn’t feel the same though. It will help you to fall asleep and sleep deeper; however, it’s not a ‘so-stoned, you-pass-out’, feeling.

When you use CBD as a sleep aid, it still feels like a natural, restful sleep. Think of CBD as a natural sleep aid, much like melatonin can be used for a more fitful sleep.

If you need help falling asleep, try smoking or vaping CBD. If staying asleep through the night is the problem, you should consider trying edibles or oils.

Protection Against Bone Diseases and Breaks

Did you know that cannabinoids (specifically THC, CBD and CBG) help in the process of bone metabolism? (We didn’t, until researching this article!) That’s the replacement of old bone material with new bone material over time and happens at a rate of about 10 percent per year.

It’s been discovered that CBD actually blocks an enzyme, which can destroy the bone-building compounds in your body, so it reduces the risk of diseases, such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Since THC, CBD and CBD help promote new bone-cell growth, that also means that they will speed up the healing process if you’vebroken a bone.

Reduced Anxiety and Stress

Typical treatments for anxiety include medications that have a high possibility of abuse and addiction, such as Valium, Clonazepam or Xanax. The risks associated with these medications have led people to look for alternatives, with many turning to medical marijuana.

However, for some people, the THC in cannabis can increase anxiety levels. On the other hand, CBD almost universally has been shown to reduce anxiety in patients, without the side effects some people experience with THC.

Pain Control

If you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past couple of years, you may have missed that we’re in the middle of a drug epidemic that hasn’t been seen since the spread of crack cocaine, in the 1980s.

Powerful opiates like fentanyl, heroin and Oxycontin have destroyed entire communities and kill many thousands of people every year. The worst part? This crisis was largely created by greedy, soulless pharmaceutical companies, that put corporate profits over their patients’ lives and wellbeing.

People suffering from chronic pain, that don’t want to expose themselves to opiates, have been searching for other safer and more natural options. Many have turned to CBD, as an alternative to opiate use.

Dozens of studies have investigated the use of CBD for management of chronic pain and all concluded CBD had a significant positive impact on pain management. The difficult part is finding the right dosage, frequency, and ingestion method. For quick relief of symptoms, smoking or vaping a high-CBD cannabis strain is the best option. For consistent, steady dosages, oils or edibles may be the better choice.

Reduced Risk of Cancer

A study in 2012 showed that animals who were treated with CBD were less likely to develop certain types of colon cancer; after being exposed to high levels of carcinogens in a lab.

Another study in 2015 looked at the medical records of over 84,000 male patients and found that the ones who used cannabis (although not tobacco) had a rate of bladder cancer that was 45% below the norm.

Despite these preliminary results, there is much still left to discover; however, on the positive side, the quality and volume of research are on the rise for both CBD and THC, as cancer treatments. This is in addition to the more traditional medical marijuana treatments used to treat the symptoms and severity of chemotherapy.

Moreover, several current studies are hoping to find the most beneficial ratio of CBD to THC, for both the prevention and the treatment of cancer.

Reduced Risk of Diabetes and Obesity

Several studies have shown that regular cannabis users have a lower body mass index, a smaller waist size and a reduced risk of diabetes.

This seems counter-intuitive since we know how easy it is to demolish a full-size bag of Doritos after a nice smoke. Scientists think this might be because THC can stimulate ghrelin; a hormone that increases the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Furthermore, CBD was proven to reduce the incidence of diabetes in lab rats as far back as 2006. Pharmaceutical companies have taken notice too, with an Israeli company now in trials for a drug that treats diabetes with CBD.

Better Heart Health

High blood pressure is connected to higher risks of health conditions, such as, heart attacks, embolisms and strokes. Currently, research indicates that CBD might help reduce blood pressure. The studies haven’t yet determined why, but scientists think it might be due to the anti-inflammatory and stress-reduction properties of CBD.

The best part about CBD is that it isn’t a singular treatment for only one condition or disease; but instead, provides regular users an entire plethora of amazing health benefits. The above is a short list, there are so many more incredible health benefits to this multi-faceted compound. You’ve heard of superfoods; however, CBD can be thought of as a ‘super oil’; or at least a ‘super supplement’.

To summarize, this stuff is good for you! It works as an excellent alternative to dangerous medications and can make you happier, healthier and a lot less stressed.

For the best selection of CBD tears, tinctures, edibles, and even CBD treats for pets, look no further than GreenSociety.io. They are constantly testing new products and searching for the best products, at affordable prices.

For other methods of ingestion, such as, capsules, topicals,and sprays, look no further than Peak420.ca.

On the other hand, if you prefer to smoke or vape, try consistently smoking a high-CBD strain like Charlotte’s Web at Peak420.ca or CBD Dream at GetKush.ca. You’ll be glad you did!

Have any questions or comments about the health benefits of CBD? Please write us a detailed message in the comments!