Despite its popularity, information about cannabidiol–shortened to the acronym CBD–can be confusing. It can be confusing, especially when trying to figure out how to use it. How can you ensure that the products you are buying are legitimate? What are the health benefits of CBD? Is CBD legal? These are the top questions you need to ask about CBD.
Modern CBD uses a wide range of products. CBD-infused coffee shops offer CBD teas, while spas sell CBD oil. Beauty companies also use CBD to enhance their products. There are CBD chewable.
Modern cannabidiol, or CBD (cannabidiol), may seem like a new product, but the cannabis product has existed for hundreds of years. A study published in 2020 by Dialogues In Clinical Neuroscience found that cannabis seeds were present in Central Asia nearly 12,000 years before the advent of nomadic traders and traders. 1
What is CBD?
CBD is a naturally occurring chemical that can be found in the cannabis sativa plants. 2 CBD is a plant genus which contains many compounds that have different effects on the human body.
There are two types of cannabis plants: hemp and marijuana. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are two of the chemicals found in those plants. Marijuana contains higher levels of THC, but lower levels of CBD. Hemp, on the other hand, has higher CBD levels and lower THC levels.
Contrary to THC, which can cause a “high”, CBD does not have psychoactive properties. 3 This is the main difference.
CBD won’t get me high.
The short answer is no. 3
“CBD is the nonpsychoactive part of the cannabis plant. That means you won’t feel any effects like euphoria,” said JunellaChin, DO. She is an osteopathic physician as well as a medical cannabis expert for cannabisMD.
Dr. Chin estimates that about 5% of CBD users feel altered. Although this is rare, it could be because some people react differently to CBD.
Dr. Chin stated that “mostly, they’re same people who have side affects from Advil or Tylenol.” It is impossible to predict how your body will react when you start CBD. This is why it is important to use CBD safely and under medical supervision.
For quality assurance, it is important to purchase CBD that has been tested by third parties. It is important to buy CBD that has been tested by third parties for quality assurance.
While it doesn’t regulate CBD, the FDA will send warning letters to companies that violate certain laws. 5
What are the health benefits of CBD?
Read any CBD product testimonials, and you’ll see that people claim CBD has helped with a slew of health conditions–including back pain, psoriasis, osteoarthritis, and even cancer.
The FDA has approved Epidiolex, a CBD medication for certain types of epilepsy. 6
“My practice is flooded with patients asking for CBD,” said Houman Danesh, MD, director, integrative pain management at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
While there is a lot of evidence to support the claims, Dr. Danesh said that it’s still hard to know what the true benefits of this treatment are because of a lack of research.
“Right now you have pharmacies trying make some kind of sense out it and say, ‘Yes, it works for that,’” Dr. Danesh stated. “But that’s not how medicine is practiced. It should be based upon evidence and there’s not much evidence to support these claims.”
While there is limited evidence to support this claim, some studies do offer hope. In a 2021 study in the Journal of Cannabis Research, researchers found that CBD-rich treatments could relieve moderate to severe levels of anxiety and pain . These patients also experienced a greater sense of well-being due to the treatments. The study didn’t show any benefit from CBD for mild symptoms. 7
Is CBD worth trying for pain management?
Dr. Danesh says there are two types of pain main: Musculoskeletal, and Neurological.
Dr. Danesh stated that both conditions could have benefits. However, there is some evidence that CBD works well for pain when it’s combined with some THC. “Depending on the type of pain you are experiencing, CBD may be sufficient. But sometimes, CBD and THC will be required.”
It can be difficult to determine how much you should take. One person might feel relief from pain, but another person may experience a different effect.
Dr. Danesh said, “And until it can be studied it, it’s still the wild west.” Is it worth the effort?
Dr. Danesh said, “I believe CBD is safe to try.” Dr. Danesh also encouraged people to press for more research by pressing representatives to pass national bills that will allow scientists to examine CBD and the conditions that it responds to.
CBD Can Help with Anxiety
Dr. Chin said that CBD tells the body to relax and reminds it that it’s safe. It calms down the nervous system so that you don’t have a high-flying ‘fight or flight’ response.
People with anxiety might find CBD helps them feel more relaxed. One of the biggest misconceptions regarding CBD is that it’s magical.
Dr. Chin said that CBD has been misunderstood as a panacea. You should also live a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and nutritious food. CBD will not fix everything.
Although CBD can be used to treat anxiety symptoms, it is crucial to see a mental health professional in order to treat the root cause.
Different types of CBD
Your preference will determine the best way to administer CBD. Some people prefer to apply CBD creams or ointments instead of ingesting it.
Dr. Chin stated that you can apply it to muscles and joints and still experience a nice localized release.
The main differences between edibles and tinctures are their delivery speeds and the duration of the effects.
