Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is probably the most popular compound of cannabis and is responsible for the psychoactive high associated with marijuana. But it’s Cannabidiol (CBD) that brings home the trophy when it comes to health benefits.
Over the last few decades, the interest in CBD’s benefits increased in popularity, and discoveries are made seemingly every week these days. As a medicinal and recreational marijuana dispensary, Greeley Gallery has discussed the health benefits of both THC and CBD before. But this time, we wanted to narrow in on how CBD helps one vital part of your body—your brain.
Cannabidiol (CBD) Reduces Brain Inflammation
Recent research has shown many times over now that CBD reduces or removes inflammation, declining brain cells, and excess oxygen build-up in our brain—in addition to relieving chronic pain via neurotransmitters.
This is significant and exciting news. See, brain inflammation is different than inflammation from a skin wound. When inflammation affects your brain, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease become a likely result.
A protein called interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a marker for Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists discovered IFITM3 boosts go hand in hand with viral and bacterial infections in human brain samples. This discovery confirmed the link between Alzheimer’s disease progression and brain inflammation.
Then researchers found that CBD reduces the manifestation of IFITM3, interleukin 6 and 33. All three of these molecules play a role in the brain’s inflammation state due to Alzheimer’s. CBD helps normalize and repair damaged areas, ultimately recovering cognitive functions that were impaired.
It Appears Cannabidiol (CBD) has Neuroprotective Properties
Neuroprotection is the protection of nerve cells in your brain against damage, impairment, or degeneration. As we get older, our brains become at risk for developing an assortment of neurological disorders that come with aging—the two most common being Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Thankfully, this well-known benefit of CBD was discovered decades ago. Remember all the hype about CBD helping kids with epileptic disorders? Talk about a grand entrance to society. Everyone likes something that helps kids, including children diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a childhood epilepsy disorder without a current cure.
But CBD does more than decrease or stop brain seizures. CBD also helped improve sleep and life quality for those with Parkinson’s disease.
Our brain is one of our most valuable organs, and we should take as good care of it as we do our biceps and abs—okay, maybe not our abs. Research about CBD has been going on since the 70s, but we still have a long way to discover long-term effects. Though from what’s already been uncovered, it seems CBD might just become another preventative supplement to take.
One Last Note
Before we sign off, there’s one more super cool CBD brain benefit that’s worth pointing out. Researchers recently discovered that acute CBD induced significant changes to participants’ brain activity and connectivity patterns. In other words, at least in the short term, CBD can help us create better and more connections faster—both while in resting states and whilst carrying out tasks—and the coolest part is, this benefit occurred both in people who are healthy and participants with diagnosed psychiatric disorders.
Final Thoughts
What could these results mean for our future with mental health? We care about our clients here at our marijuana dispensary, Greeley Gallery. It warms our hearts to provide quality service and cannabis products to enable our neighbors to live better, healthier lives.
Be sure to stop in any day of the week to say hi and pick up some quality bud—or CBD chocolates or gummies—we’d love to see you. As always, feel free to ask us any questions you might have. Our staff is knowledgeable and passionate about our product.
