Benefits of CBD
Chances are, you’ve heard about CBD. Products that contain CBD such as CBD oil and tinctures have been exploding in popularity and the media has featured them quite often in recent years. You may have even heard claims that CBD can do everything from easing insomnia and anxiety to curing cancer.
These kinds of assertions may provoke a lot of questions. Isn’t CBD made from marijuana? Is it even legal? What kinds of benefits can it actually provide, and are there any side effects of CBD?
Whether you’re new to the hemp industry or a long-time consumer of hemp products, these are all great questions to ask if you’ve been considering trying CBD. CBD can provide some fantastic benefits, but anyone who consumes it should still educate themselves about it.
Read on to learn more.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is a natural compound found in the cannabis sativa plant, also known as marijuana. There are hundreds of compounds like CBD within the cannabis plant, and they’re called cannabinoids.
CBD is the second-most common cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is another.
While CBD is derived from marijuana, it doesn’t contain any of the psychoactive ingredients that THC does. This means that you can’t get high from CBD like you can from THC. However, since CBD affects your endocannabinoid system (ECS) and serotonin receptors, it can induce a relaxing sensation.
And while marijuana contains CBD, commercial CBD that is sold today doesn’t come from marijuana. CBD that is available for sale is extracted from the hemp plant or manufactured in a laboratory.
You can consume CBD by diluting and mixing it with a carrier oil like hemp seed oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. It can also be applied topically or smoked.
CBD vendors carry a variety of CBD-infused products, including gummies and candies, bath soaks and soaps, lotions and creams, and supplements.
Since CBD contains less than 0.3% THC and doesn’t induce any psychoactive effects, there’s very little concern regarding its potential for overuse or abuse.
Benefits of CBD
Clinical trials exploring CBD and its effects, particularly its benefits, are ongoing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved the use of CBD to treat most conditions, but there have been many scientific reports that support the various health benefits of CBD.
Relieves Pain
Many people use CBD for pain relief, especially chronic or unmanageable pain, and they have been since as early as 2900 B.C. This includes pain from chronic arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), fibromyalgia, and peripheral neuropathy.
Studies have demonstrated that using a topical CBD cream to target areas of the body experiencing pain helps reduce the pain.
Treats Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD
The benefits of CBD oil and its potential to treat anxiety disorders and other mental health disorders is widely discussed and perhaps the central reason as to why CBD has become so popular in recent years.
Many users have reported that using CBD helped reduce their anxiety during public speaking engagements or nightmares induced by PTSD. Some people have even been able to reduce or eliminate their use of prescription antidepressants and opioids by switching to CBD.
Alleviates Cancer-Related Symptoms
While CBD isn’t a cure for cancer, many people have used it to treat some symptoms of various cancers. And pain management is just one use cancer patients have found for CBD–some have also used it for nausea and a lack of appetite.
While many cancer patients have found CBD to be beneficial, it’s important to talk to your doctor before you begin consuming it regularly.
Neuroprotective Properties
CBD contains antioxidants, and research has shown that it may have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce neuropathic pain. This can provide protection against pathological disorders and neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
People with these disorders who take CBD have reported improved sleep quality and better quality of life.
Improves Heart Health
Recent studies have shown some evidence that CBD is beneficial for the heart and the circulatory system. In some studies, people who took CBD had lower resting blood pressure compared to those who took placebos. Also, those who took repeated doses of CBD had improved blood flow and reduced arterial stiffness.
Treats Select Epilepsy Syndromes
People have used CBD for years to help treat epileptic seizures. Epidiolex is currently the only FDA-approved CBD product on the market.
Epidiolex is used to treat Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, two rare forms of epilepsy.
Is CBD Legal?
The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp legal in the U.S. Hemp comes from cannabis, the same plant that produces marijuana, but hemp cannot contain over 0.3% THC.
So, hemp-derived products like CBD that contain less than 0.3% THC are legal in the U.S.
CBD Side Effects
CBD is well-tolerated by most people and generally considered safe. But like any drug, some users may have negative reactions to it.
Some of the more common effects of CBD that users have reported include diarrhea, fatigue, and changes in weight or appetite. CBD may also interact with certain medications, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you take prescription drugs and are considering adding CBD.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you take CBD every day?
The effects of daily CBD consumption can vary from person to person. Many people report better sleeping habits, fewer digestive issues, and improved anxiety and depression.
CBD can also help with chronic pain, high blood pressure, and even certain health issues like diabetes.
What is the downside of CBD?
Since CBD is considered a supplement and isn’t regulated by the FDA, the market is currently filled with CBD products that have not been tested and may be of low quality.
Also, since CBD is often added to foods or dietary supplements, related products may also contain various ingredients like herbal supplements that may not be suitable for everyone, especially if you take prescription medications.
What does CBD make you feel?
Many people report feeling more relaxed, calm, and less anxious after consuming CBD. You may also feel more mentally focused.
CBD won’t make you feel high–it contains less than 0.3% THC, so it won’t produce a psychoactive effect. Still, many people experience the same benefits from CBD as they would THC.
Conclusion
CBD is an amazing supplement with an array of benefits. But since the market is currently flooded with CBD products, it’s important to research them and talk to your doctor, especially if you already take prescription drugs or are undergoing treatment for a medical condition.
Be sure to refer back to this article when you’re ready to research CBD products!