CBD has become a staple of health and wellness. It’s in everything from post-workout smoothies to calming bath soaks to pet treats, and it has spawned an entire industry of hemp and marijuana-derived products. But what does CBD do, exactly?
Sweet Sensi article explains CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system to promote balance in the brain and body, per Harvard Medical School. It can help with pain, anxiety, depression, autoimmune disorders, insomnia, and inflammation. It also may reduce the side effects of PTSD and schizophrenia, improve the health of smokers by aiding in lung recovery, and relieve symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
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Although it’s not a cure, there’s strong anecdotal evidence that CBD can ease anxiety and reduce the frequency of seizures for people with epilepsy. The FDA has approved a prescription CBD product, Epidiolex, to treat seizures related to rare conditions like Dravet syndrome.
If you choose to use CBD, experts recommend looking for a high-quality product that’s been third-party lab tested and contains a batch number. You should also be able to see all the ingredients, including other herbs or supplements that are in the product. For example, melatonin is sometimes added to CBD products because of its sleep-enhancing properties. And it’s important to let your doctor know you’re taking CBD because it can interfere with certain blood-thinning medications, like aspirin, and can affect liver-related blood tests. It can also decrease the absorption of iron from foods and some dietary supplements.
