It seems like cannabidiol, or CBD, is the hot new ingredient in food and skin care products these days. The CBD market is expected to become a $16 billion industry by 2025, as the marijuana-derived chemical compound makes its way into everything from candy to facial creams.
What Is CBD, And Will It Make Me High?
First, let's clear up a common misconception about cannabidiol. Although it comes from the cannabis plant, CBD will not make you high. That can actually be blamed on another substance found in marijuana plants called THC, which is attracted to receptors in our brain that produce those euphoric feelings. CBD doesn't activate these receptors, which makes it a great solution for people who want to reap the benefits of cannabis without feeling intoxicated.
But are there any real health benefits to adding CBD to your diet? Although research on the positive effects of CBD are still scant, preliminary studies show it has a lot of promise. Here are some reasons why you may want to consider adding CBD to your diet.
CBD May Help You Lose Weight
Unlike smoking or consuming marijuana which is known to increase appetite, CBD seems to have the opposite effect. Studies done on rats found that the animals ate less food and their body weight decreased when they were injected with the compound. It could be that CBD boosts metabolism as well. Research involving human testing is still needed but based on these initial results, it appears CBD may eventually be thought of as a dieter's best friend.
CBD May Decrease Anxiety
If you suffer from feelings of anxiety or depression, you may want to give CBD a try. According to one study, people with social anxiety reported feeling calmer and more confident about public speaking after taking CBD.
This calming effect means taking CBD may soon become a common way to get a better night's sleep.
CBD Reduces High Blood Pressure
Another study found that healthy men who took CBD oil experienced lower blood pressure readings compared to taking a placebo. This means CBD may be considered a heart-healthy ingredient when added to foods.
CBD Can Help Relieve Pain
Medical marijuana is often prescribed to patients with conditions that cause chronic pain, so it shouldn't be surprising to learn that CBD has the same soothing effect. CBD has been found to have an impact on various forms of pain from arthritis to the muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis. CBD oil also has anti-inflammatory properties which may help keep swelling down following an injury.
How To Add CBD Oil To Your Diet
Now that you know about the possible benefits CBD has to offer, you may be wondering how to actually add it to your diet. Manufacturers are adding CBD to candy, lozenges, beverage enhancers, and other edible products that can be easily digested. You can also take CBD capsules and pills or add CBD oil to tea or consume it straight from the dropper.
For help on deciding on the best CBD oils to take, check out more reviews of the best supplements on the market.
CBD: Mother Nature’s Helper
So far, it sounds like there’s a lot to love about CBD and its inclusion in many edible products. The substance also seems to have no serious side effects, particularly when taken in moderation. Why not give it a try, and add some CBD to your healthy diet?
