The chemical cannabidiol which we mostly know as CBD was first isolated from the cannabis leaf. CBD oil is an alternative therapy for pain relief, particularly for chronic pain management.
What exactly is CBD?
CBD products come in three different forms: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate. Full spectrum products contain all the cannabinoids out of the extract. The main cannabinoid, of course, is CBD, but there are also the minor cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and CBA plus a small amount of THC. All those cannabinoids together, create what is called the entourage effect. The entourage effect can allow CBD oil to help with various things more effectively. The isolate is just CBD that has been extracted. There are no other cannabinoids in it. CBD oil by itself is also effective. Broad spectrum CBD oil includes cannabinoids with no THC.
CBD oil is available in a variety of forms, including tinctures, oils, capsules, edibles and topical products. It can be taken orally, applied to the skin, or inhaled.
Can CBD oil get me high?
CBD oil is made from two different types of cannabis plants, hemp and marijuana, but CBD oil doesn’t contain THC, which is the ingredient that gets people high, which means that CBD oil can’t get people high.Â
What are the health benefits of CBD oil?
There are a lot of benefits to CBD oil as it can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and symptoms, including chronic pain, back pain and nerve pain. It can also reduce pain related to multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. CBD oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for anxiety.
In fact, one study found that participants who took a 600 milligram dose of CBD daily for 14 days had reduced anxiety scores by 40 to 50% when compared to those who were given a placebo. It can also help with PTSD and sleep issues. Furthermore, it is also known that CBD oil has anti-aging effects on the body. This means that it can slow down the process of aging by reducing inflammation in our bodies.
What are the side effects of CBD?
CBD oil is generally safe, but in some cases, it can cause side effects including dry mouth, lightheadedness, headaches and fatigue. Some people may experience changes in weight, appetite, and sleep habits. These changes are generally mild and should improve after a few days. More serious side effects include nausea, diarrhea, or constipation and changes in liver functions. It is also very important to choose high quality CBD products as the market is full of low quality cheap products.
What are the risks of CBD?
Like all drugs, CBD has potential side effects. Thankfully, none of these things is life threatening and you can always stop them by not taking the CBD.
Another thing to consider is that CBD can indirectly affect the way your body handles other medications. So if you do decide to try CBD, be sure and let your doctor know at your next scheduled visit.
What’s so great about CBD?
Drugs are chemicals that work in our bodies to overcome disease. Many, if not most drugs actually began as medicinal plants or after the discovery of receptors on target tissues. There’s a G protein receptor that is specifically activated by CBD. And these receptors are found throughout our bodies. Preclinical studies show that CBD can cause gene expression and reduce inflammation in animals. In other words, there’s very clear and definitive scientific evidence that CBD is an anti-inflammatory substance, similar to non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, like ibuprofen. Ant-iinflammatory drugs are also pain relievers, which means that CBD is also a pain reliever.
The best review of the clinical evidence on cannabis products was actually done by an author named Whiting. He wrote the key paper that the American Academy of Family Physicians, as well as the National Academy of Sciences, considered in their evaluation of CBD. What Whiting found was that the clinical evidence for cannabis products like CBD, was shoddy. The type and quality of studies necessary to really answer your question about whether CBD is right for you. Just wasn’t there. Supplements like CBD are presumed safe and not investigated, unless something goes wrong. CBD is right for you if the benefits outweigh the risks, and there is no better alternative. Regarding the benefits, the science is there, and the potential benefits are considerable.
Are there alternatives to CBD?
There is more evidence for pain relief with NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and Tylenol), than we do for CBD. However, NSAIDs don’t do anything for your sleep, or anxiety, and NSAIDs have their own issues. When you take NSAIDs every day you risk heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and bleeding ulcers.
If you’re aware of the side effects and discuss it with your doctor, then CBD is a safe alternative as an adjunct to NSAIDs or a replacement for arthritic pain. CBD is appropriate if you’re also having trouble with sleep and or anxiety. And you really should consider taking CBD if you’re taking NSAIDs, like Aleve or ibuprofen every day, maybe give your body a break. Try something else for a month or two!
How should you take CBD?
CBD comes in gummies, oil, a tincture that goes under your tongue, and dried flowers that can be smoked. The biggest difference between these various forms is the time it takes to onset. If your issue is joint pain, get the oil and rub it on your painful joint. Increase the dose until you find out how much works for you.
