Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is becoming a trending and rapidly growing health supplement worldwide. It is not readily available like your usual over-the-counter drugs, whereas you need a prescription to acquire for those countries legalizing the use of medical marijuana. But where does this CBD come from, and why is it popular with people?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is just one of the hundred compounds you can find on the cannabis plant. Though CBD is commonly associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), they are not the same and do not share the same benefits as CBD. Unlike THC, it does not alter the state of your mind or other mental processes.
CBD comes in different forms, such as oils, gummies, capsules, extracts, topical preparations and vapes. However, the most common CBD product is CBD oil. Learn more about the benefits of CBD oil, its side effects and correct dosage.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is an active ingredient commonly found in cannabis. It is a chemical compound that can work throughout the body, including certain parts of the brain. It is becoming popular in the health world because of its numerous beneficial effects.
CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it into a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or hemp seed oil, to improve its bioavailability. As CBD continues to gain popularity, researchers noted to conduct further research about the evidence to back up all its health claims.
What Are CBD Oil Benefits?
CBD has been known to treat various health conditions, but the most common is its treatment of epilepsy syndromes, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Although these medical conditions can respond to anti-seizure medications, they are difficult to treat. Some National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies suggest that CBD can lower the number of seizure episodes and, in some cases, stop them.
The Food and Drug Administration approves medical cannabis-derived medicine for these conditions under the brand name Epidiolex. While CBD is being studied in clinical trials as a treatment for various health issues, such as anxiety, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, sleep disorders, schizophrenia and diabetes, it still needs more research.
Animal studies, human studies and self-reports suggest that CBD helps in the following conditions.
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CBD Oil For Anxiety
Anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions can have a negative impact on overall health. These conditions are usually managed with pharmaceutical drugs that can cause several side effects, such as insomnia, agitation, headaches and sexual dysfunction. However, these medications can have the potential for abuse.
CBD oil has shown a promising treatment for different mental disorders, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, encouraging many people suffering from these conditions to become interested in this natural way.
In one NIH study, a number of men received either oral CBD products or a placebo before they underwent a simulated public speaking test. The researchers found out that those who receive pure CBD significantly reduce anxiety during the test.
CBD Oil For Pain
Aside from mental health benefits, CBD also has positive effects on the body. It has pain-relieving effects that can ease different forms of chronic pain.
The human body has a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system that regulates many body functions. Our body produces neurotransmitters, an endocannabinoid that binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system.
Studies show that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid receptor activity and helps in pain relief. It’s effective in certain types of pain, such as cancer pain, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain.
Several human studies show that the combination of THC and CBD gives potent anti-inflammatory properties that effectively treat the pain associated with multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
CBD Oil For Cancer Treatment
CBD helps ease cancer-related symptoms and side effects of treatments, such as nausea, vomiting, and chronic pain.
Even though CBD is helpful for some people with cancer, it still needs further research to determine whether it should be used more to manage cancer-related symptoms. If you have cancer and are interested in using CBD, it’s better to consult your healthcare professional.
CBD treatment for cancer still lacks scientific references and may not be safe and effective for all cancer patients. However, a review of several studies investigates the effects of CBD on relieving the side effects of chemotherapy on cancer patients, such as nausea, pain, lack of appetite, and vomiting.
CBD Oil For High Blood Pressure
Some studies linked the benefits of using CBD oil to lowering high blood pressure. High blood pressure has higher potential risks to several health conditions such as heart attack, stroke and metabolic syndrome.
In a small study that included 26 healthy volunteers, one group was treated with 600 milligrams of CBD for seven days, and the other group was given a placebo. The result showed that the CBD group had a significant reduction in blood pressure compared with the placebo group.
Nevertheless, there is a shortage of studies on the benefits of CBD treatment in lowering blood pressure.
CBD Oil For Neurological Disorders
One of the well-studied uses of CBD is in treating neurological disorders such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Sativex is a hemp-derived CBD product that effectively reduces muscle spasticity in people with MS. CBD is also known to treat epilepsy and other neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease.
A study found that CBD oil can significantly reduce the number of seizure attacks in children with Dravet syndrome compared with a placebo. Because of this, the FDA approved a prescription CBD product under the brand name Epidiolex for managing seizures associated with this condition.
What Are Some CBD Side Effects?
CBD oil can also cause side effects; their severe forms vary from one person to the next and the type of CBD to another. Some of the common side effects of CBD include:
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Anxiety
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Change in appetite
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Change in mood
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Diarrhea
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Drowsiness
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Dry mouth
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Nausea
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Vomiting
How To Take CBD Safely
While there are different ways to take CBD oil, it still depends on the strength of the oil. A great starting point is putting five drops under your tongue and holding it there for 30 to 60 seconds, three times a day. However, you can put some drops in a smoothie or juice.
CBD oil also comes in a capsule form that can be an excellent option for people who want to maintain a consistent dose of CBD in the body. Moreover, CBD can be baked into sweet treats like gummies, brownies and cookies.
CBD gummies are chewy edibles that you can easily take along with you, while baked goods need to be refrigerated to keep the CBD fresh.
Is CBD Legal?
CBD is technically legal in the United States. Currently, 47 out of 50 U.S states have legalized the sale and use of cannabis Sativa-derived CBD products.
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Here are some states that do not restrict the sales of CBD products:
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Alabama
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Illinois
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Ohio
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Oklahoma
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Hawaii
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New Jersey
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New Mexico
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New York
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Virginia
Meanwhile, the following states have some restrictions on the use of CBD products:
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Alaska
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Arizona
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California
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Colorado
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Delaware
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Georgia
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Indiana
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Kentucky
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Maryland
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North Carolina
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Tennessee
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Utah
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Washington
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Wisconsin
Take note that the restrictions only apply to recreational CBD users. If for medical use, users may not face the same restrictions in every state. There are only two states where CBD is illegal: Nebraska and Idaho.
Where To Buy CBD Oil
With so many CBD shops you can find anywhere, it’s easy to go into the nearest shop or online and buy whatever CBD product you can see. Since the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate CBD, the quality can vary between brands.
Nevertheless, here are some things you should consider before buying so you get the best CBD oil.
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Certificate of Analysis (COA): A COA lists down all the compounds found in the CBD product. You can easily find the product’s COA on the company website; if not, you can request a copy. Note that a company that doesn’t have COA or can’t send you considers it a counterfeit product.
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Third-party testing: Having third-party testing is another essential part of COA and the company’s brand. The results are more accurate and unbiased to ensure that the company is trustworthy and qualified.
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Organic, non-GMO and gluten free: Organic CBD oil is made from synthetic-free chemicals like pesticides. To ensure it’s organic, it must be Certified Organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition, many CBD brands claim they are non-GMO products without official verification. Gluten free is also not guaranteed, but if you have a gluten allergy, check the ingredients list and source of the CBD product you buy.
CBD oil has been studied for its potential ability to manage symptoms of some health conditions, like anxiety, epilepsy, chronic pain and other neurological conditions. Moreover, it helps improve sleep in people with sleeping disorders.
The research about the effects of CBD on specific medical conditions is still ongoing, and there are many other things you can learn about the potential benefits of CBD.
If you’re interested in CBD oil to manage a certain health condition, talk to your doctor and refer medical reviews on MIDSS to know what you can expect and avoid possible side effects.
The news and editorial staffs of the baiduhai had no role in this post’s preparation.