Our legs are powerful tools. They allow us to engage in activities as mundane as simply walking, to completing entire marathon runs. Naturally, a complex machine like our legs requires constant blood flow and healthy blood circulation.
That's why when blood flow is insufficient to power our legs, we can -- for lack of a better word -- run into serious problems.
While most interruptions in natural blood flow to your legs are the result of sitting for too long or sitting in an unnatural position, sometimes it can be a sign of more serious circulatory system disorders like venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis.
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a popular natural supplement that is often used for a variety of health-related purposes, including the potential improvement of circulation in the legs. Its health benefits are well-established by research, and even more uses for CBD oil in pain management and mood are being uncovered.
In this blog, we will explore the potential benefits of using CBD oil for circulation in the legs, as well as some considerations to keep in mind when using this supplement.
CBD oil is a natural extract of the hemp plant that contains high levels of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound. It is one of two compounds that are derived and sold in the United States, the other being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of the cannabis sativa plant.
CBD oil is commonly used as a dietary supplement and is believed to have a number of potential health benefits, including the ability to reduce anxiety and stress, improve sleep, lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation. While it is still being studied for its role in treating different health conditions, like chronic pain and cardiovascular disease, its use as a pain reliever is well-documented.
Poor circulation in the legs can be caused by many things, among them are sitting for prolonged periods or injuries to the lower leg. Rarely are these conditions life threatening, but poor circulation can sometimes be a sign of something more dangerous.
For instance, poor circulation can be caused by:
Enlarged, twisted bulging veins are often called varicose veins, and they can occur anywhere in the body, but most commonly in the lower legs. They are caused by weak or damaged veins.
While varicose veins are usually a cosmetic concern, they may signal an underlying problem with your circulatory system. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about a recent varicose vein.
Also called DVT, deep vein thrombosis is a disorder where a blood clot -- or blood clots -- forms in the extremities. The greatest risk with DVT is the potential for the blood clots to dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Our legs have the hard task of pumping blood back to the heart from a fairly distant region -- when the veins in your legs cease to function as well as they usually do, this can lead to venous insufficiency. If venous insufficiency isn't addressed in a timely manner, leg ulcers can form.
CBD oil may have the potential to improve circulation in the legs by helping to relax blood vessels and reduce inflammation. When blood vessels are relaxed, blood can flow more easily and efficiently, which can help to improve circulation and maintain a healthy blood pressure. Additionally, CBD oil may have anti-inflammatory properties, which may also help to improve circulation by reducing swelling and inflammation in the legs.
Studies examining CBD products' therapeutic potential focus on how CBD modifies the endocannabinoid system, or the system of receptors and molecules located throughout our bodies that respond to cannabinoids. Activating or manipulating cannabinoid receptors throughout the endocannabinoid system has been shown to affect different bodily functions such as the immune system and the nervous system.
It is worth noting that the research on the use of CBD oil for circulation in the legs is limited, and more studies are needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using this supplement. However, evidence suggests CBD oil works to relieve symptoms related to:
Recent studies have highlighted the potential cardioprotective role CBD plays in mediating diseases of the circulatory system, accomplishing this through its interactions with the endocannabinoid system and its metabolites (the compounds that CBD is broken down into when it's metabolized by the body).
Research suggests that CBD may promote healthy blood flow by increasing the availability of nitric oxide in the blood, a compound known to dilate blood vessels and improve circulation while lowering blood pressure.
While CBD oil is not itself a treatment for neurological diseases, human studies and preclinical data have suggested that it may improve other symptoms related to quality of life in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
Beyond potentially improving symptoms of pain, CBD oil has been studied for its role in maintaining a healthy body weight. Some reviews have found positive effects of CBD in weight loss, while others have been inconclusive. More research is needed to conclusively say that CBD treatment thus speeds weight loss or promotes decreased appetite.
If you are considering using CBD oil for circulation in the legs, it is important to keep a few things in mind:
In conclusion, CBD oil may have the potential to improve circulation in the legs by relaxing blood vessels and reducing inflammation. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using this supplement. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional and choose a high-quality product when using CBD oil for circulation in the legs.
