Today’s medical field continues to introduce us to amazing breakthroughs as medical experts discover more remedies to cure illness. One of these discoveries is CBD. As it grows more popular by demand, CBD (aka Cannabidiol) is known to have many health benefits. Recent studies show how CBD improves patients’ suffering from cancer, epilepsy, arthritis, injury problems, and other diseases. Although several research is still on-going, its results are promising to the health community.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is a chemical found in cannabis or marijuana/ hemp plants. Although this substance is in marijuana, CBD does not have a “high” feeling associated with the plant. That feeling of being “high” comes from another compound found in marijuana (but not hemp), which is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Health Benefits of CBD
Typically consumed in the form of oil, CBD is gaining popularity in the wellness and health world, with additional scientific studies confirming the many effects it has on easing symptoms like chronic pain and anxiety.
Healthline.com has listed the health benefits of CBD that are backed with scientific evidence. They include:
- Can reduce anxiety and depression
- May reduce acne
- Could benefit heart health
- Can alleviate cancer-related symptoms
- It may have neuroprotective properties.
- Antipsychotic effects
- Substance abuse treatment
- Can relieve pain
With a lot of benefits, the major factor that has people buying CBD products are its anti-inflammatory effects, whether caused by an illness, or an injury.
What is an Injury?
Injuries are cellular-related damage (such as wounds, bruises, fractures, etc.) that are commonly caused by accidents or other events. Almost everyone experiences having an injury, whether caused by outside factors or self-inflicted. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), injuries kill more than five million people a year and harm millions more. It isn’t just a mere wound, or a fracture or superficial damage, but it can be a major problem, too, as it accounts for 9% mortality, making it a threat to everyone’s health.
Types of Injury
Injuries have a lot of types, such as cuts, scratches, punctured skin, or scrapes. Other forms of injuries include:
#1 Animal Bites
Animal bites can happen when these animals are provoked, threatened, sick, or maybe protecting their territory and their young. Animal bites are rarely life-threatening, but once these get infected, serious medical problems can develop. To know if an animal bite has an infection, the following symptoms, according to Healthline.com, are to be observed:
- Swelling
- Fever
- Redness around the wound
- Warmth surrounding the bite area
- Red streaks that are leading away from the bite
- Pus
- Pain
#2 Bruises
According to MedlinePlus, a bruise is a mark on the skin caused by blood trapped under the surface. It is a common type of injury resulting from an impact that crushes the small blood vessel on your body but does not break the skin. This type of injury may take months to fade, but most only last about two weeks. Bruises look reddish at the start and turn bluish-purple and finally greenish-yellow before turning to the standard skin colour.
#3 Broken Bones (Fractures)
Fractures can be one of the most painful things you can experience as a form of injury. Generally, a fracture is a broken bone that can range from a thin crack to a complete break. Most fractures are caused by an impact on the bone by a force or pressure that is more than it can support.
Fractures come with intense pain as the injury happens, with the pain worsening if the area is touched or applied pressure to. In some cases, people who experience fracture injuries may feel dizzy, be in shock, or completely pass out due to the pain. Other symptoms of a fracture include:
- Swelling, bruising, or redness on the injured area
- A grinding or snap sound when the fracture occurs
- Visible deformity in the injured area.
- Supporting weight is difficult on the injured part.
A worst-case scenario may be seeing your broken bone poking through your skin.
#4 Sprain Injury
According to MayoClinic.org, a sprain is a stretching or tearing two ligaments (tough bands of tissue that connect two bones in the joints). With being the most commonplace in the body to have a sprain is in the ankle. This type of injury may be caused by twisting, falling or getting hit. The common symptoms of a sprain injury include:
- Swelling of the joint
- Bruising of the joint
- Pain
- Inability to move the joint
Knowing all these injuries is not enough. How does CBD come into the picture? What does cannabidiol (CBD) have t do with your wounds, bruises, or sprains? Studies have proven that CBD has benefits that help you recover from injury and here is why:
CBD in Injury Recovery
One thing these injuries all have in common is pain - that uncomfortable feeling that signals you that something is wrong. To recover from injury, it is vital to reduce the pain these injuries give. CBD may help in your recovery from injury with its known pain-relieving effects.
The human body has an amazing ECS or endocannabinoid system responsible for regulating body functions, including appetite, sleep, immune system response, and pain. Studies show that CBD may help reduce these pains from injuries by impacting the endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters.
A 2020 review also states that CBD could have benefits for chronic pain relief (which is commonly associated with injuries) and the improvement of sleep and reduces inflammation. Since CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, it helps lessen swelling and pain.
Conclusion
Information about CBD has given us insights into how it can affect our health by alleviating some illnesses and injuries. Research on CBD and its promising benefits is ongoing, so additional promising medical benefits can still be discovered.
Although there is still room for discoveries, results from studies suggest that CBD may provide a healthy, safe, natural treatment for many health issues.
With natural remedies like CBD aid in injury recovery, it is essential to take care of the body by eating a healthy diet and exercising. A reminder that even if CBD oil can help you in your recovery, taking actions in living a healthier life can quicken your recovery from injuries and have a life that can be pain-free.