What does CBD? has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce pain, muscle tension or swelling. It may also help lower blood pressure and improve artery function. It can have anxiolytic effects (helps relieve anxiety), which might be helpful for people with PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder or other anxiety disorders. CBD can also improve sleep quality by reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

CBD can have immunomodulatory properties, which might help balance the immune system and prevent it from attacking healthy cells. This might be useful for people with autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis, lupus or fibromyalgia. It can also help treat neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

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While CBD may offer a natural alternative to prescription medications, it is still a supplement and should be used cautiously. It is considered safe for most people, but it might cause side effects like diarrhea, changes in appetite or weight and drowsiness. It can also interfere with certain types of medications, so talk to your doctor before trying it if you’re taking any prescription drugs.

CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system—a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors densely packed throughout one’s brain and body, per Harvard Medical School—to promote balance in different bodily systems. Many people find that CBD helps with a variety of conditions, including pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injuries, seizures, and more. It might also ease the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses.