The primary purpose of cannabidiol (CBD) is as an anti-inflammatory that may help reduce pain sensation when applied directly to the skin, although it has been shown to reduce inflammation without suppressing pain itself. It acts similarly to THC, which remains in the lungs and brain after smoking marijuana. When ingested, CBD passes through the blood stream to reach the brain where it acts on the nervous system, much like THC.

Cannabidiol was discovered by accident: German scientists were looking for an alternative to synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinols (THC). Because cannabidiol had fewer side effects than THC, it was quickly accepted as a natural alternative. Today, CBD is found in many herbal supplements and capsules. There are currently three main types of CBD: hemp oil, eucalyptus oil, and coconut oil.

Hemp oil is the purest form of CBD available: It contains no other compounds, only CBD. This type of CBD is thought to be most effective in treating ailments of the circulatory system, such as those associated with heart disease and epilepsy. While the jury is still out on CBD for cancer treatment, it appears more human studies are needed to confirm that.

There have been few studies aimed: at investigating CBD as an anti-neurodegenerative disorder, but one study has indicated it may help people with Parkinson’s disease, and possibly even Alzheimer’s. CBD may also help people with anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders. It has also been studied in clinical trials aimed at treating sleep disorders, where it appears to help improve symptoms. More research is needed to verify these initial results, but preliminary results seem promising. So far, none of these studies have explored CBD’s potential to treat cancer or other serious ailments such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS.

CBD is thought to help people with more serious: psychological disorders such as PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. In a recent study published in Clinical Psychological Science, it was suggested that people with PTSD or SAD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) benefit from taking CBD. The CBD in the study was found to effectively reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, researchers admit that further studies must be conducted to confirm this.

In an even bigger study released: in May, 2021, almost 1.6 million adults in England alone struggle with anxiety and other mood disorders, which range from seasonal affective disorder to post-traumatic stress disorder. Two-thirds of those adults suffer from mild or moderate forms of anxiety, according to estimates. While some of those suffer from panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder, many simply feel anxious occasionally.

While CBD products can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression, researchers are still unsure if they are safe and even how effective they are when it comes to post-traumatic stress disorder and epilepsy.