Cannabidiol (CBD) is a popular, all-natural product for those seeking an alternative means for maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The use of CBD is on a constant, rapid rise and this potent plant extract has been shown to have a multitude of benefits in many areas of both physical and mental health. But what are some of the potential advantages of using CBD as it relates to men’s health? In this article, we will highlight some of the top health benefits of CBD for men.

RELATED: What is CBD? A Primer for Men

Manage Chronic Pain 

Chronic pain can occur as a result of a number of things; it could be a medical condition, an old sports injury, or simply old age. Many times, the source of pain is from a form of inflammation in the body, usually in a joint or tissue.  Whatever its cause, chronic pain can be debilitating and cause not only physical effects, but emotional and mental ones as well.

With the help of CBD, chronic pain can now be managed properly and in a natural and healthy way. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) which helps to regulate several functions such as sleep, immune system responses, and pain. CBD has been demonstrated to inhibit neuropathic pain. This means that CBD has the ability to deter neuronal transmissions that are going in the pain pathway of the body, and this inhibition is what helps to curb the effects of pain in the body. Furthermore, CBD aids in reducing inflammation in the body, which in turn can lessen the effects of chronic pain.

View our top CBD product picks for managing pain

Lower Blood Pressure and Improve Heart Health

Heart-related issues are one of the leading issues affecting men’s health today. Infact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States. Men stand a high risk of being prone to heart-related conditions such as heart attacks, high blood pressure, and stroke. CBD has been attributed to lowering high blood pressure, which is one of the major causes of stroke and heart attacks. In a 2017, a randomized, cross over study found that a single dose of CBD reduced blood pressure in a healthy group of male adults. In addition to reducing high blood pressure, studies found that CBD’s antioxidant properties can reduce inflamation in the heart and may hinder the death of cells that are caused by oxidative stress.

Improve and Regulate Sleep

Sleep is an essential part of our health. If we don’t get an average of 6-8 hours of sleep each night, we run the risk of being irritable the next day and not functioning to our optimal potential. Getting the right amount of consistent sleep is important in helping our bodies re-energize, reduce risks of heart disease, improve our concentration, and help us maintain healthy weight levels.

Some studies suggest that CBD may help with common sleep disorders such as insomnia, and aid in regulating our sleep patterns to improve our overall quality of sleep. Similar to how it interacts with our ECS to mitigate pain, CBD triggers specific receptors in the body that govern our sleep and wake cycle.

However, the main reason that CBD is beneficial for sleep is that it alleviates the conditions that delay and disrupt sleep. Specifically, stress, anxiety and pain. Because CBD can help calm the mind of anxious thoughts and help you feel more relaxed, it may help those with sleep disorders to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

View our top CBD product picks for sleep

Reduce Anxiety and Support A Sense of Calm and Focus

With our hectic daily schedules and life demands, many of us can easily be distracted or feel stressed, anxious and overwhelmed with things. When you are dealing with anxiety or feeling overly stressed, your ability to focus on anything aside from your negative state of mind is greatly compromised. For these struggles, CBD offers a natural way of restoring a sense of calm and focus to our daily lives.

CBD has been show to help with anxiety. A 2011 study found a postivive effect for CBD when used to reduce anxiety experienced during public speaking. Additionally, a review analysis of over 40 existing studies concluded that CBD could be an effective way to combat a multitude of different anxiety type disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

It’s a common belief that CBD is a powerful sedative, but this is incorrect. CBD can actually provide a boost to your energy levels and help keep you mentally alert, especially when taken in small doses. Infact, a 2014 study found evidence to support CBD as a natural wake-inducing agent.