Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of CBD

In a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers evaluating data collected in 2002, 2012, and 2022 found a significant increase in the number of people embracing yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and other "complementary" approaches to personal care.¹ As adults of all ages shift their attention to natural, plant-derived products to support multiple aspects of overall well-being, market analysts expect the CBD industry to maintain an 18% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2032 as consumers learn more about the cannabinoid's therapeutic potential.²

To be clear, hemp-derived CBD products are not sold for the purpose of preventing, treating, or curing any known ailment. In lab reports, animal studies, and a steadily growing number of clinical trials, however, researchers often highlight an impressive number of potentially beneficial properties. In this CBD guide, we'll explain how the cannabinoid works and explore some of their evidence. We'll also touch on the basics of product selection and the differences between extract types. In other words – we'll cover the information you need to make an informed decision about CBD use. 

Understanding CBD and Its Mechanisms of Action  

CBD is the commonly used abbreviation for cannabidiol, the most abundant of at least 113 potentially beneficial cannabinoids produced in hemp flower trichomes. It's also produced in much smaller amounts in marijuana strains. Although the cannabinoid was first identified and isolated in the 1940s, there was relatively little interest within the scientific community until the first official journal report was published nearly 20 years later. Once hemp was officially declared a federally approved agricultural commodity, however, the amount of research exploring the cannabinoid's therapeutic potential skyrocketed.⁴

Today, CBD is widely known as a pleiotropic plant element – a natural compound that produces a range of seemingly unrelated effects through multiple molecular pathways. The list includes the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, dopamine, and endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors. CBD is shown to increase dopamine levels, activate serotonin and GABA receptors, and inhibit the breakdown of the ECS messengers anandamide and 2-AG.³ Most researchers believe supporting ECS function with CBD promotes homeostasis when internal and external stressors threaten essential balance.⁴

Topic Overview: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of CBD 

Most people have at least a basic understanding of essential neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin because they're often discussed in educational materials and health articles for their roles in mood regulation and mental health. The endocannabinoid system is less familiar. Multiple sources suggest that the initial identification of the ECS receptors by researchers studying the effects of THC has limited public awareness and hindered open discussion in mainstream education. Growing acceptance of cannabis and consumer interest in how CBD works, however, is clearly changing that narrative. 

Today, many CBD users know the ECS as the largest regulatory system in the human body involved in nearly every crucial function – thermal regulation, stress responses, immune system function, pain perception, and more.⁵ Although some questions about CBD's therapeutic potential remain unanswered, lab results, animal studies, and a limited (but growing) number of human clinical trials suggest an impressive list of possible benefits  – including the following examples.   

Improving Sleep Duration, Quality, and Onset Times   

Your ability to wake feeling rested largely depends on how long you spend in, and how many times you cycle through the four sleep stages essential for hormonal regulation, memory recall, tissue repair, and fortifying your immune system. When you're running on too little sleep, your system cycles through subsequent sleep cycles faster. The strain on your body triggers a surge of the stress hormone cortisol.^6,7 

The ECS plays a crucial role in circadian rhythm maintenance, neurotransmitter regulation, and sleep architecture - the structure and pattern of sleep cycles.8 In a 2021 report, researchers found a positive correlation between CBD use and improved sleep duration.9 A similar study credits its "calming" effect for sleep score improvements, and consumer surveys suggest possible benefits for sleep latency.^10,11

Easing Discomfort After Physical Activity 

Activity-induced pain and stiffness - discomfort unrelated to injury or disease – are typically caused by the microscopic damage essential for muscle growth. Pushing through the discomfort before you've recovered increases your risk of recurring injury and permanent damage – the type of wear and tear linked to osteoarthritis and several other conditions impacting joint mobility and comfort.¹¹ 

In a 2024 review, investigators highlight several interactions potentially beneficial for easing various forms of physical discomfort.12 The cannabinoid's influence on the vanilloid receptor TRPV1, for example, inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production. CBD also inhibits the breakdown of anandamide – the ECS messenger produced as needed in your body associated with mood elevation and pain modulation.¹³ 

Modulating Stress Responses and Calming Anxiety   

Persistent stress causes a potentially detrimental elevation in cortisol. Over time, the impact on your immune system disrupts the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. When that happens, your risk of developing serious health complications increases.¹⁴ Many stress management practices like yoga and meditation are also recommended for calming mild or temporary anxiety. 

A 2021 report detailing the results of multiple CBD studies highlights several mechanisms of action potentially beneficial for stress management and stress-response-associated anxiety.¹⁵ Although more study is needed to fully understand the scope of CBD's therapeutic potential for stress, the cannabinoid also appears to blunt the impact of cortisol through its influence on the "bliss molecule" anandamide.¹⁶   

Supporting and Protecting Neurological Processes 

The human brain is continuously processing information. Maintaining focus and mental clarity requires memory recall, multiple aspects of executive function, and the ability to filter distractions. The communication between the ECS messengers and receptors modulates the production, release, and activity of essential neurotransmitters impacting multiple processes related to neurological function.¹⁷ 

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a critical role in brain aging and the progression of neurodegenerative disease. Current evidence suggests supporting ECS function with CBD could help protect the brain from the type of degradation that could compromise memory, learning, and cognition by reducing oxidative damage and suppressing the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators.¹⁸ 

Improving Skin Health, Comfort, and Overall Appearance 

Skin is a remarkably complex organ – a collection of tissues and integrated systems that function as a single structure. The outermost layer, the epidermis, acts as a barrier that protects your body from pollution, UV radiation, and other environmental hazards. Although your skin is in a constant state of renewal, it's vulnerable to internal and external factors that can compromise its health and appearance. 

The ECS receptors on nearly every type of dermal cell modulate mechanisms impacting oil production, moisture retention, collagen production, skin cell turnover rates, and more.¹⁹ 

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing CBD  

The oil extracted from hemp flower trichomes is heated to specific temperatures to activate the plant-derived cannabinoids, distilled, and used as an ingredient in a range of products consumers appreciate and enjoy using. But you may not want to purchase the first tincture, topical, softgels, or gummies you find locally. Product formulations, overall purity, and CBD concentrations can vary by brand. Although 75% of manufacturers claim their products are third-party tested to ensure their safety and efficacy, very few invest in batch testing for at least 90% of their products – only about 13%.²² 

You can minimize the risk of buying tinctures, topicals, or edibles of questionable quality by sticking with industry-leading brands helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions by providing a certificate of analysis (COA). That official document verifies that you're getting the amount of CBD you're paying for in a product screened for heavy metals, pesticides, extraction residue, bacteria, and other potentially harmful contaminants that could compromise the cannabinoid's therapeutic potential. To make shopping easier, consider refining your search parameters based on the following extract types. 

Full Spectrum Hemp Flower Extract  

Full Spectrum hemp flower extract delivers CBD alongside the full array of potentially beneficial minor cannabinoids and terpenes nature intended. Although you'll see a small amount (0.3 % or less) of THC on third-party test results, the 25-30:1 CBD to THC ratio significantly lowers the risk of intoxication. CBD oil tinctures, softgels, gummies, and topicals made with full spectrum extracts are considered the more potent options because of a property researchers call an "entourage" effect – a theory explaining how the many cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis optimize the therapeutic potential of each active component.²³   

Broad Spectrum Hemp Flower Extract  

High-quality broad spectrum hemp flower extract has a similar cannabinoid and terpene profile. The THC, however, is reduced to non-detectable levels –0.01% or less. Extraction experts who want to preserve the balance of cannabinoids and terpenes use a process called chromatography to filter the THC from full spectrum oil.²⁴ Broad spectrum extracts have the cannabinoids and terpenes needed for the potency-optimizing potential of an entourage effect, but some CBD users feel that removing THC compromises its impact. Others who have used both product types feel there's little, if any, difference.²⁵   

Refined CBD Isolate Powder 

CBD isolate powder is the purest form of hemp flower extract available. A specialized process utilizes chromatography and winterization to separate the CBD from the many other cannabinoids and plant compounds in full spectrum extract. All that remains after successful isolation is a flavorless, odorless crystalline substance.26 While products made with CBD isolate don't have the minor cannabinoids and terpenes to provide an entourage effect, there's no reason to doubt their therapeutic potential. Researchers often use purified CBD to ensure their results aren't impacted by other plant components.²⁷ 

Discover How You Could Benefit from the Therapeutic Potential of CBD 

Research confirms that hemp-derived CBD products are no more habit-forming than a placebo. The World Health Organization found no "public health-related concerns."^28,29 Side effects, however, are possible. Some CBD users report unexpected fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea, or appetite changes³⁰ –symptoms that could also arise from overconsumption. Pregnant or lactating people should also avoid using cannabinoid products. 

You can minimize your risk of developing unpleasant symptoms by following the advice of cannabis experts who recommend starting with a 5-10 mg serving. If that serving size doesn't provide the results you're hoping for within a few days of consistent use, increase the amount of CBD you're using by a few milligrams and repeat the process. Consider jotting down any changes you notice until you've found the amount of CBD you need to support your specific wellness goals. Everyone is different. 

If you have health concerns, we strongly suggest consulting your healthcare provider before you start shopping. CBD is not ideal for people with certain medical conditions, should not be used by pregnant or lactating people, and can also interact with or interfere with the absorption of OTC and prescription medications. If you're leaning toward incorporating the therapeutic potential of CBD into your wellness routine but aren't quite sure where to begin, visit CBDistillery® to take our CBD Product Quiz or schedule a Personal Consultation. 

References  

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11. Devitt T. (2019) 2019 Project CBD Survey Results. Project CBD. 

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18. Hickey J, Collins A, et al. (2024) Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation by Cannabidiol (CBD): Promising Targets for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. 46(5) Curr Issues Mol Biol 4379-402. doi: 10.3390/cimb46050266. PMID: 38785534; PMCID: PMC11120237 

19. Introduction to the Skin's Endocannabinoid System. (2020) Phytecs. 

20. Martins A, Gomes A, et al. (2021) Cannabis-Based Products for the Treatment of Skin Inflammatory Diseases: A Timely Review. 15(2) Pharmaceuticals 849. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15020210 

21. Kuzumi A, Yoshizaki-Ogawa A, et al. (2024) The Potential Role of Cannabidiol in Cosmetic Dermatology: A Literature Review. 25 Am J Clin Dermatol 951-66. doi:10.1007/s40257-024-00891-y 

22. Harrington A. (2021) 25% of CBD Products Are Not Tested for Purity. Forbes. 

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