How Has CBD Benefited People?

by Amy Shepley - 11 Sep 2020

From anxiety to PTSD and arthritis to epilepsy, millions of people are finding a safe, natural, and effective support for their health concerns in CBD (cannabidiol). Chances are you know someone who has tried it, whether it’s a friend or family member or a coworker. And now you’re wondering, “Can CBD help me?”

The short answer: Probably. As with any health supplement, CBD’s effects are not necessarily identical from one person to the next. And CBD may be more effective for certain conditions than others. But considering mounting scientific evidence and overwhelming anecdotal accounts attest to its efficacy in addressing a range of issues, the chances are pretty good that you could experience at least some benefit.

So how can CBD help you? Hearing how it has helped others might give you a better idea. Here are three firsthand accounts from people who have had success with this natural health supplement.

GLENN: PTSD, ANXIETY, DIABETES

Glenn, an Army retiree whose last name was omitted, shared his CBD success story with Leafbuyer.

According to the publication, having spent most of his adult life in the Army, Glenn retired at age 50 with a range of severe health conditions. He currently lives with diabetes, edema in his extremities, anxiety, hypertension, high blood pressure, and post-traumatic stress (PTSD).

“I had a challenge with stress and flare-ups with my kids and spouse. It usually happens around people I know, because I feel more comfortable to let out all the stress,” he said.

Upon his retirement, he notified doctors of his chronic health struggles and received about seven different prescriptions. Glenn said he took them for a while but felt they were “masking the issues” rather than providing a real solution.

Benefits Of Cbd Oil

According to the site, Glenn started dabbling in holistic medicine when his wife decided to make changes to the family’s diet, omitting first preservatives and food coloring, then gluten and sugar. Seeing the positive impact these changes had on his wife and daughter, Glenn decided to look into CBD.

He takes 5-8 drops of CBD oil regularly. “Within no more than a few minutes, I feel a lot more at ease with myself and others around me,” he told the site. “I used to have to leave the room whenever my grandchildren were over because the extra commotion raised the ante and made me more anxious—and now I can put up with more anxiety and stress. I can actually enjoy the situation and the time with my family.

For Glenn, CBD helps support the health of his stress response.

KELSEY CLARK: ANXIETY, DIFFICULTY FALLING ASLEEP

Kelsey Clark wrote about her experience trying CBD oil for the first time on My Domaine. Clark had heard of CBD’s benefits but was skeptical about giving it a try. Like many people, she had negative experiences with heightened anxiety using marijuana in the past and feared CBD would have similar effects. Fortunately for Clark and all of us prone to anxiety and overthinking, CBD does not affect the psyche in the same way THC does. Likewise, it doesn’t cause paranoia or heightened anxiety.

Clark explained she finally gave CBD oil a try to ease a bout of jet lag. The results were positive, helping her sleep response work optimally. She drifted off to sleep without the haziness or next-day fatigue associated with sleep aids, including over-the-counter medications or melatonin. Encouraged, she decided to keep taking a daily dose for six days. In addition to helping her fall asleep faster, Clark said she felt calmer and more focused.

“Rather than overthinking a sternly worded email or analyzing a social interaction, I found it easier to recognize the irrationality of these thoughts and actually let them go. In some ways, I feel more like myself.” Clark wrote.

Clark also wrote she is more productive at work.

“It almost feels like a newfound sense of clarity and calm that enables me to focus,” she wrote.

NOAH NOVELLO: CHRONIC BACK PAIN

Noah Novello shared his story with Westword, an independent publication based in Denver. Novello suffered four herniated discs in his back after a work-related accident.

“I was barely able to move,” he told the paper.

Doctors prescribed a daily dose of 20 pills to treat his pain and discomfort, Novello recalled, including OxyContin, morphine, and Dilaudid.

“My tolerance continued to increase, my mood was unstable, I felt like a zombie, I couldn’t think straight, and I was still in pain,” Novello said.

Even over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen can have adverse side effects, especially with prolonged use. But opioids like those Novello was prescribed can be particularly dangerous. In addition to side effects such as fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and impaired cognition and motor function, these drugs pose a high risk of addiction.

Benefits Of Cbd Oil

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 21 to 29 percent of people prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. And a 2018 report found opioid overdose was responsible for an average of 128 deaths every day in the United States. Fortunately, many state and local governments are taking action to curb opioid prescriptions and abuse. And a growing body of evidence suggests CBD may be a safe, non-addictive, and effective dietary supplement.

Upon a friend’s recommendation, Novello said he tried an oil with a 1:1 THC-to-CBD ratio. Novello reported the oil seemed to support his body having a more positive reaction to the pain.

While CBD can work on its own, it is sometimes more effective combined with THC. You can read more about this phenomenon, known as the “entourage effect,” here.

If you’re curious about how CBD can help you, the best way to find out is to try. With a very low risk of side effects and significant potential, what have you got to lose?

When shopping, be sure to choose a high-quality product, such as Bespoke Extracts’ selection of tinctures, soft gels, and isolates. Look for a Certificate of Authenticity, indicating a third party has tested the item for quality and content. If you have questions regarding ingredients, how to use CBD, or dosage, don’t be afraid to ask. Any reputable retailer should be more than happy to help.