What Are CBD Gummies Taken for?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is becoming popular, with different products emerging in the market. CBD gummies are among the newest ways of consuming CBD and reaping the benefits of medical cannabis. This article discusseswhat CBD is taken for, including; pain, anxiety, and seizure.

The market is flooded with an array of CBD products, which may be overwhelming, especially for those new to CBD. Most people trying CBD for the first time have no idea where to begin. Many healthcare providers or CBD proponents recommend starting with CBD edibles such as gummies because they are sweet and are a fun way to consume CBD. CBD gummies are pre-dosed, so there is no hassle of trying to figure out or measure the right dose. While research is still ongoing, several studies with promising results indicate the potential benefits of CBD and why people are using CBD products such as gummies.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of more than one hundred cannabinoids derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. It is the main non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant. CBD is harvested in large quantities from hemp, a type of cannabis with less than 0.2% THC. CBD and THC possess similar therapeutic properties, except that THC is intoxicating and psychoactive while CBD is not. People who want to reap the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without feeling intoxicated opt for CBD products. They are available in various products, including oils, creams, lotions, gummies, bath bombs, tinctures, capsules, and vaporizers.

CBD products are not the same. They may contain other components, such as terpenes and other cannabinoids with varying concentrations, from the cannabis plant. Manufacturers of CBD products make their goods using different types of CBD extracts. The types depend on the extraction method used when harvesting CBD from hemp. They include:

• Full-spectrum CBD – It contains all components of hemp, including <0.2% THC, terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids.
• Broad-spectrum CBD – It contains all other hemp plant components except THC.
• CBD isolate – This is the purest type of CBD extract. CBD isolate contains CBD as the only compound from the hemp plant.

What Are CBD Gummies Taken for?

CBD gummies are taken for the following:

Pain and Inflammation

People use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen to manage acute pain. However, when the pain becomes more chronic due to health conditions such as arthritis, most patients prescribe medications causing side effects. CBD possesses anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. It is used to treat pain and pain-related symptoms without adverse side effects. Anthony et al. (2020) explained that activating cannabinoid receptors manages chronic pain. This condition does not often respond well to other treatments. Due to this property, CBD gummies are used by many to provide pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects against chronic pain and other inflammatory conditions.

Anxiety

Individuals take CBD gummies to help manage anxiety. This is among the most common mental health issues affecting overall health and well-being. Anxiety is caused by too much stress and depression. CBD can be a good alternative treatment for anxiety disorders and related issues. Blessing et al. (2015) investigated cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. The results indicated that preclinical evidence strongly supports CBD as a treatment for several anxiety disorders when administered acutely.

Seizures

Tzadok et al. (2016) stated that CBD can treat seizures in patients with epilepsy. Seizures can be debilitating and affect a patient's normal life. CBD was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the drug known as Epidiolex as a treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy( Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome) in patients aged 2 years and above.

Neuroprotective Benefits

Cooray et al. (2020)  showed promising results for brain protection and functions in how CBD and other cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Zenone et al. (2021) revealed that Some patients with neurodegenerative disorders take CBD gummies believing that CBD can help manage their conditions. According to Maroon & Bost (2018), cannabidiol treatment can serve as a treatment option for patients with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). It can also deal with other neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), brain trauma, and intractable epilepsy.

Sleep Disorders

CBD gummies can also be taken to improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms related to sleep disorders. Many CBD companies include other natural ingredients in their CBD gummies to create a combined therapeutic effect,improving sleep quality. Most CBD brands include melatonin in their CBD gummies. This is a body hormone that maintains a healthy sleep-wake cycle. CBD's ability to reduce anxiety and manage other mental health issues can also help people with trouble sleeping. Some people take CBD gummies to experience a calming effect while asleep. Kaul et al.  (2021) investigated the effects of cannabinoids on sleep and their therapeutic benefits for insomnia. CBD and other cannabis components have therapeutic benefits in managing common sleep disorders such as insomnia and restless legs syndrome.

Conclusion

While there is much more to research about the full potential of CBD products, some effects of CBD gummies are fairly understandable. With the increasing interest in the benefits and drawbacks of CBD products, several studies are underway, and there is likely more information to emerge. The gummies are a convenient and fun way of consuming CBD. They have similar therapeutic benefits as other CBD products, including managing pain, reducing anxiety, and improving sleep and seizure. CBD gummies can also be an alternative treatment for those who want to try CBD treatment but don't like the taste of a CBD tincture or the idea of topical application. Check out the company's certification and test results to ensure you consume a quality CBD product.

References

Anthony, A. T., Rahmat, S., Sangle, P., Sandhu, O., & Khan, S. (2020). Cannabinoid Receptors And Their Relationship With Chronic Pain: A Narrative Review. Cureus, 12(9).

Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., &Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol Is A Potential Treatment For Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836.

Cooray, R., Gupta, V., &Suphioglu, C. (2020). Current Aspects Of The Endocannabinoid System And Targeted Thc And CbdPhytocannabinoids As Potential Therapeutics For Parkinson's And Alzheimer's Diseases: A Review. Molecular Neurobiology, 57(11), 4878-4890.

Kaul, M., Zee, P. C., &Sahni, A. S. (2021). Effects Of Cannabinoids On Sleep And Their Therapeutic Potential For Sleep Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 18(1), 217-227.

Maroon, J., & Bost, J. (2018). Review Of The Neurological Benefits Of Phytocannabinoids. Surgical Neurology International, 9.

Tzadok, M., Uliel-Siboni, S., Linder, I., Kramer, U., Epstein, O., Menascu, S., ... & Ben-Zeev, B. (2016). Cbd-Enriched Medical Cannabis For Intractable Pediatric Epilepsy: The Current Israeli Experience. Seizure, 35, 41-44.

Zenone, M. A., Snyder, J., & Crooks, V. (2021). Selling Cannabidiol Products In Canada: A Framing Analysis Of Advertising Claims By Online Retailers. Bmc Public Health, 21(1), 1-10.