What is CBD oil? In short, it is cannabis’ much-derided but highly beneficial CBD oil. CBD is the second most prevalent of all chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, after THC. Although the latter is not as prevalent in smoked cannabis as it is in pill form, CBD Roll On is still very much present in the leaves and stems of the cannabis plant.

Cannabidiol is an important phytochemical found in many pharmaceuticals, including CBD oil. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, anti-mutagenic, antiviral, antibacterial and neuroprotective properties. All of these medical properties make CBD one of the latest additions to a growing list of natural, therapeutic substances that can help people live better, happier lives by relieving health issues such as anxiety, chronic pain, depression, epilepsy and even some forms of cancer.

The primary health issue CBD oil can help is its ability to reduce the inflammation of brain cells. Inflammation is known to be a major factor in the progression of several age related illnesses like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as well as other serious brain diseases. Long-term use of prescription pharmaceuticals that contain high levels of ibuprofen (an ingredient found in many Tylenol products) or acetaminophen (in the preparations of Advil, Motrin, and Advil), may be partially responsible for the rising incidence of arthritis, depression, anxiety, and memory loss in millions of Americans. In a small report published in January 2010 in the Journal of Neuroimmune Disorders, Dr. Bruce J. Zick, an investigator at the University of California-Davis School of Medicine, concluded that CBD might not only reverse the inflammation of brain cells; it could also prevent the further progression of these diseases through the mechanism of antigens.

Besides their potential for relieving chronic pain and possibly treating some forms of depression, there are numerous other health benefits CBD oil may have for those who suffer from anxiety and/or depression. According to the American Pain Foundation, approximately 20% of adults in the U.S. experience some type of chronic pain on a regular basis. Sufferers of this ailment often find it difficult to cope with daily life, and many times they turn to alternative therapies for help. CBD is a relatively new treatment option, and it is not clear how it may affect the ongoing health of those with anxiety disorders. However, the health benefits of CBD oil may be promising for those who are looking to improve their quality of life by eliminating or reducing the frequency of their outbreaks of anxiety and depression.

While CBD is believed to work by blocking the action of a certain enzyme in the brain called the transient receptor potential (TRP), others believe it has its own cause-of-action. In a study published in Nature Chemical Medicine in May 2010, Dr. Miguel Carrano of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Bio Horizon Research, along with Dr. John Krystal of the Department of Community Health Services at the University of Miami School of Medicine, concluded that the beneficial effects of cannabidiol come from the fact that it acts in concert with another natural substance in the body called serotonin. The researchers discovered that CBD binds to and prevents the activation of 5-HTT, which is responsible for transporting serotonin throughout the body. Although it was previously thought that CBD was ineffective at treating autism spectrum disorders like autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia, Carrano and Krystal showed that CBD is as effective as other pharmaceuticals at controlling epileptic seizures in children with these conditions. Further studies are still needed to verify the effectiveness of CBD in preventing or reducing seizures related to other medical conditions.

Although there is no research to support the claim that CBD may help reduce high blood pressure in human beings, it is thought to have anti-hypertensive properties, especially when taken in combination with high blood pressure medication. Further studies are needed to determine if CBD can lower blood pressure in animals. Many animal studies have been performed using CBD, and the results remain inconclusive. In addition, clinical trials with human subjects are currently underway.