Benefits:
-Reduces anxiety and depression
-Reduces insulin levels and increases insulin sensitivity
-Prevents seizures in rare forms of epilepsy
-Reduces inflammation and chronic pain
-Potential for autoimmunity and addressing neurological disorders
-Reduces nausea and increases appetite
-Improves sleep
-Many possible benefits currently under investigation
-Well-tolerated with few reported side effects
 
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa, the marijuana plant. CBD and THC are the two main active compounds found in the cannabis plant. They are also the best-studied and -recognized.
 
Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. It cannot cause the negative mental effects linked to THC, like paranoia, anxiety, and memory problems. 
 
In early studies, CBD has shown promising benefits for people with a variety of hard-to-treat conditions.
 
Depression
 
Depressed mice given CBD quickly recovered to a non-depressed emotional state. The effect was maintained over time and was as strong as standard antidepressants.
 
Acne
 
In a study on human skin tissue, exposure to CBD was linked to both decreased production of oils (sebum) and a reduced number of oil-producing glands. The skin tissue exposed to CBD also had fewer markers of inflammation. All of these effects would be very beneficial for people with acne.
 
Diabetes
 
Although marijuana use can increase appetite and calorie intake, it has been linked to lower BMI, less obesity, and reduced likelihood of developing diabetes.
 
In one study of almost 5000 people, past and current marijuana users had lower fasting glucose and insulin levels (by 16%), lower waist circumference and BMI, lower insulin resistance (by 18%), and higher HDL. All these factors are connected to the onset of diabetes.
 
Pain relief
 
According to many promising studies, cannabinoids could potentially become a new class of painkillers, which some researchers believe may help millions of people with chronic pain. 
We have receptors for cannabinoids in our whole body, but the first type (CB1) are very dense in the pain pathways of the brain, spine, and nerves. The second type (CB2) are more important for the immune system, but they are also involved in inflammation. According to some researchers, CBD may reduce both pain and inflammation through their actions on these receptors.
 
In a large analysis of 18 clinical trials, the authors concluded that cannabinoids strongly and safely reduced various types of chronic pain: neuropathic, arthritis, fibromyalgia, HIV, and multiple sclerosis pain. Another review of 16 studies found significant evidence of CBD’s benefits for people with chronic pain.
 
Seizures 
 
Many people claim that CBD helped them with seizures even when nothing else worked. The research backs them up: CBD may help reduce seizures in people with epilepsy who do not respond to drugs. 
In fact, in 2018, the FDA approved a CBD oral solution for the treatment of two rare forms of severe epilepsy. This approval is based on a robust base of evidence from the last several years of CBD research, but it is currently limited only to patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
 
In a 3-month study of 23 children and young adults (3-26 years of age) with treatment-resistant epilepsy, those who received a purified 98% oil-based CBD extract experienced significantly fewer seizures. In 39% of participants, the incidence of seizures dropped by half.
 
Anxiety
 
After consuming CBD, participants experienced reduced blood flow to parts of the limbic systemthat are often overactive in anxiety. At the same time, blood flow to another region important for cognition and motivation (the posterior cingulate cortex) increased.
 
In a study of 10 healthy volunteers, those who took CBD felt less anxiety after the stressful task of public speaking. In 24 patients with social anxiety, taking CBD before public speaking was linked to reduced anxiety and discomfort and improved cognition.
 
Rheumatoid Arthritis
 
As natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, cannabinoids have the potential to provide relief of joint pain and swelling. In studies of arthritic animals, those given CBD suffered less joint destruction and slower progression of inflammatory disease.
 
Insomnia
 
Cannabis users with insomnia prefer strains much higher in CBD as a sleep aid. They are also less likely to become dependent on these high-CBD, low-THC strains, according to a survey of 163 adults purchasing medical cannabis. Furthermore, THC has been associated with worse sleep quality in the longer-term.
 
CBD’s potential as a sleep aid could simply be due to its relaxing, anxiety-reducing effects
 
Substance Use Disorders
 
Across the United States and around the world, a growing number of people suffer from opioid use disorder. According to promising early research, CBD may help these people break their dependence on opioid painkillers: people with chronic pain who use cannabis tend to take fewer opioid painkillers than those who do not use cannabis. 
 
Quitting Smoking
 
In a pilot study of 24 smokers, those who received cannabidiol smoked about 40% fewer cigarettes and did not report increased cravings for nicotine. Larger studies will be required to confirm whether CBD can help people quit smoking
 
Inflammation and Autoimmunity
 
According to some researchers, CBD may be helpful in a variety of inflammatory and pain-associated conditions. It acts on the body’s cannabinoid receptors, which in turn regulate inflammation, balance the immune system, and protect from oxidative stress
 
Heart Health
 
Some animal and cell studies have suggested a role for CBD in protecting the heart by relaxing blood vessels, reducing inflammation, and combating oxidative stress.