Health Benefits of Cannabis Oil, Uses And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Sep 07, 2020
Despite all the precautions laid out by society, there is no denying that cannabis oil has a multitude of beneficial compound that are useful to the human body. It includes optimizing digestion, strengthening the cardiovascular system, reducing stress and anxiety, reducing pain, and improving the quality of rest.
Cannabis Oil
Cannabis oil is also known as hemp essential oil and is different from the other oils extracted from hemp, including hemp seed oil, hash oil, and hemp oil.
Cannabis oil is obtained from the upper leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, through steam distillation. Its physical properties include a pale, yellow tinge to the oil. The chemical composition of this oil is volatile. This oil is manufactured from the fiber-type or low-THC variant, as well as the drug-type or high-THC variant.
Cannabis oil is used as a fragrance in soaps, candles, perfumes and cosmetics. Its nutritional use can be seen in flavoring candies and beverages. However, their main use is as medicinal oil that can treat and prevent a number of diseases and conditions.
Nutritional Value of Cannabis Oil
An analysis of highly potent, indoor-grown hemp revealed a massive 68 components in it, out of which only 57 were identifiable. Of those that were identified 16% was limonene and 67% myrcene, both of which are monoterpenes. Monoterpenes dominated the chemical constituency of cannabis oil at a whopping 92%. 7% of the oil were sesquiterpenes, and only about 1% were other compounds like esters and ketones.
Cannabis oil extracted from outdoor-grown hemp, showed monoterpene concentration between 47.9 and 92.1%. The most abundant monoterpenes were β-myrcene, trans-caryophyllene, α-pinene, trans-ocimene, and α-terpinolene. Sesquiterpenes vacillated between 5.2 and 48.6%.
Health Benefits of Cannabis Oil
CBD oil for pain management
Cannabis oil is one of the most commonly prescribed home treatments for inflammation, chronic pain, and sometimes even acute pain. Its anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties are one of the biggest reasons why cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy opt for cannabis-related products, of which cannabis oil is the most common.
Cannabis Oil Controls Epileptic Seizures
Cannabis oil contains a comound called cannabinoids, including THC. This compound attaches itself to brain cells that are responsible for controlling excitable nerves and inducing relaxation. In this way, it helps epilepsy patients control the intensity of their seizures, although it cannot treat them completely.
Cannabis Oil Slows Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
One of the most emotionally stressful degenerative diseases of the brain is Alzheimer’s. Its symptoms include a lack of awareness of surroundings and a reversal to one’s old self. Studies have shown that using cannabis oil may help slow down the progression of this disease.
Once again, THC, a cannabinoid oil compound, slows the buildup of amyloid plaque. It does so by inhibiting the enzyme that makes this plaque. Amyloid plaque kills brain cells, which ultimately leads to Alzheimer’s disease. Although there is no known cure for this disease, cannabis oil is definitely helpful in maintaining healthy brain cell count for a longer period of time.
Cannabis Oil Boosts Cardiovascular Health
Cannabis oil can help in improving the health of the cardiovascular system by balancing out the unhealthy oils in the human body. In addition, this oil can scrape off excess cholesterol from the heart and the arteries. In addition, cannabis oil also stimulate antioxidant processes that keep the system healthy, by minimizing the buildup of free radicals.
Cannabis Oil Eases the Pain Caused by Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating condition that affects the communication between your brain and the rest of your body. In this condition, the immune system attacks the myelin, which is the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers.
Studies suggest that using cannabis oil can ease the pain symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The THC in this oil attaches itself to nerve receptors in order to relieve pain. There are other studies that suggest that THC can control the spasming of muscles.
Cannabis Oil Reduces Glaucoma
The effects of consuming cannabis oil have been directly linked with improved eye health, along with a reduction of the symptoms of glaucoma. As they grow older, more and more people turn to cannabis oil to maintain their eye health, and prevent macular degeneration.
Cannabis Oil Treats Bowel Diseases
Along with aiding digestion, consuming cannabis oil can also treat an inflammation of the bowel. Many studies have directly linked a decrease in inflammation and inflammatory symptoms such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, with the consumption of cannabis oil.
The chemicals in the cannabis oil, such as the THC and CBD, interact with the cells and boosts the body’s gut function and immune responses. The body produces compounds that increase the vulnerability of the intestinal wall to infections.
The cannabinoids from the cannabis boil, can block these harmful compounds, and in turn strengthen the intestinal wall. In this way, it can decrease the gastrointestinal tract’s susceptibility to infections.
Cannabis Oil Treats Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders
Cannabis has long been associated with feelings of relaxation and sedation. So it is no surprise that cannabis oil contains similar properties.
It relaxes the mind and body by generating low-level energy and slowing the heart rate, and this enables us to rest. Rest is imperative in renewing cells and tissues. Further, only a body that is well-rested can be energetic the next day. This is to say that the metabolic rate of the body dip, when it is not well-rested.
People who suffer from sleeping disorders, such as insomnia, or those who suffer from anxiety disorders like hypertension that doesn’t allow their body to rest, can use cannabis oil to treat their condition.
Cannabis Oil Soothes Nervous Tremors
Cannabis oil has been known to be especially beneficial to those who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. The cannabinoid compounds attach themselves to the nerve fibers and relax them.
This reduces tremors, which is one of the most visible symptoms of Parkinson’s. Additional research has shown that this oil can also improve fine motor skills, although these results are uncorroborated.
Cannabis Oil Reduces Symptoms of Arthritis
Consuming cannabis oil can benefit patients of arthritis in many ways. It reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, and induces relaxation and sleep. A combination of these three benefits is what makes this oil so popular among rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Cannabis Oil Prevents Cancer
There have only been early studies in this area, but reports state that the active components of cannabis oil can have preventative effects in the body by reducing the accumulation of free radicals in the body.
In addition, it can also be used to treat tumors, according to the results. Cannabis oil reduces tumor size, according to these early reports.
Cannabis Oil Offers Post-Stroke Protection of the Brain
Quite often, the effects of a stroke can extend to the brain. Studies have shown that compounds in cannabis oil may help in protecting the brain from the effects of a stroke.
It reduces the size of the affected area, thus protecting quite a bit of brain function. Studies have thrown light on the neuroprotective effects of cannabis oil in other traumatic events, such as concussions.
Uses of Cannabis Oil
Cannabis oil is used regularly in aromatherapy. Additionally, it can also be applied locally to the problem areas of the body. The oil penetrates deep tissue and works on the affected area.
Cannabis oil can also be consumed as is. However, great care should be taken to regulate its daily consumption. No more than 2-3 drops a day should be consumed. Further, if symptoms of dependency start to appear, intake should be stopped immediately.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Cannabis Oil
One of the reasons why cannabis oil is not a legalized substance in all areas is because cannabis and its products are used as a recreational drug. Cases of dependence on the cannabis oil have been reported in the past. Symptoms of this dependence include a compulsive need to use it as well as other problems that are associated with chronic drug use.
Using large amounts of cannabis oil can lead to several problems. It can irritate the lungs and increase the risk of developing chronic bronchitis, as well as respiratory cancers. Studies show that excessive consumption can also lead to a decrease in brain function, including a lack of concentration, negative impacts on short-term memory, and reduced cognitive function.
Additionally, cannabis oil also reduces libido and dependence can also result in irregular menstrual cycles in females and lower sperm count in males. Heart patients should definitely stay away from cannabis as it increases heart rate, and heart patients might not be able to take that increased level of stress.
Cultivation of Cannabis Oil
Hemp has long been a common agricultural crop, harvested for its oil, seeds, and fiber. In China, hemp was first consumed as food. It was a gradual process for the Chinese to discover other uses of hemp, including the extraction of cannabis oil and its medicinal benefits.
In 2737 BC, Chinese leader Shen Neng prescribed marijuana tea, with an extract of cannabis oil, as a treatment for conditions like malaria and rheumatism.
References
- Mediavilla V, Steinemann S. Essential oil of Cannabis sativa L. strains. J. Int. Hemp Assoc. 1997;4:80-2. [Cited 24 June 2019]. Available from:
- Ashton CH. Pharmacology and effects of cannabis: a brief review. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2001 Feb;178(2):101-6. [Cited 24 June 2019]. Available from:
- Zuardi AW. History of cannabis as a medicine: a review. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;28(2):153-7. [Cited 24 June 2019]. Available from:
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