We’ll answer this question right away, is there really a best use of cannabidiol (CBD)? No, not really. Are there CBD uses that have been researched and tested that may be better? Yes, there have been! CBD is likely something that you have heard of. It is also likely that you do not understand it either as there are many misconceptions surrounding this particular cannabinoid (a term we will touch on later). What CBD uses are there? Is there one that is right for me? What about my pet? If you are asking these questions or any that are similar to them you’ve come to the right place.
Need to know
This is probably the most important thing you should know about CBD: it cannot get you high. One of the misconceptions we spoke on earlier is that CBD is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is another compound found in the Cannabis sativa plants called a cannabinoid. There are at least 113 known cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plants. The two most popular are CBD and THC. THC is a bit more well-known because it gives users an inebriating effect or commonly called a ‘high’. CBD, however, cannot give users this feeling of euphoria like THC does. This is why the hemp plant (a family member in the Cannabis sativa plant family) is federally legal. Hemp contains high amounts of CBD and at or lower than 0.3% of THC. This tiny percent cannot give users the effects that marijuana can. The marijuana plant is another Cannabis sativa family member. It contains very high amounts of THC and therefore is not federally legal like hemp. That being said, there are many states that have legalized the use of marijuana and THC for recreational and medicinal purposes. It is important to know the laws in place where you live before purchasing a product. Some states still have yet to legalize the use of CBD, so do your research. If CBD cannot get you high, what is it used for?
Human uses
An odd title for a section, perhaps, but this will help you figure out why you want to use CBD. There are human uses of CBD and then there are animal uses of CBD (our next section). While there are likely many products you’ve come across when looking up CBD, why do people use these products? Here are some of the more popular reasons that folks have chosen to add CBD into their lives:
Sense of calm: Giving a sense of calm in those who have feelings of anxiousness could be helpful to many. In this study, they used brain scanning to exam subjects who have SAD (social anxiety disorder). Those who were given CBD showed a decrease in their social anxiety disorder. Those who didn’t receive the CBD did not have any decrease and remained the same.
FDA approved medications: There are quite a few Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications that contain CBD. Epidiolex is the most well-known. This medication assists those with two severe types of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. There are also a few others that assist those going through anti-cancer treatments and the nausea it often causes. They are called Marinol (dronabinol), Syndros (dronabinol), and Cesamet (nabilone).
Health of skin: This study looked at 20 patients who had a skin condition use a CBD ointment on their scars caused by the skin condition use the product twice a day for three months. Before and after the three months photos were taken to watch the progress and at the end of the three months, they concluded that CBD may have helped the skin parameters.
Animal uses
Yes, animals are very clearly built differently than humans, that does not mean that they don’t have the same problem as us. We want the best for our pets and that’s why we conducted the study below to see how we could help dogs that have a bit of a problem moving.
Anti-inflammation properties: CBD has been researched for the possibility of joint health benefits. In this study the researchers looked at dogs who are older and have joint health issues. During the study, they asked dog owners to administer CBD to their dogs 2 times a day for 4 consecutive weeks. The owners of the dog took a weekly test to show if anything had improved. At the end of the 4 weeks pet owners described their dogs to be more mobile. So, therefore the CBD may have helped with their joint health.
There are minimal studies that are conducted about CBD in general, for animals. Even less. So, it’s imperative to speak to a veterinarian before giving your animal CBD. We have a handful of different CBD products available made specifically for your furry friend.
We carry THC-Free Canine CBD Softgels, Canine CBD Oil Drops, Feline CBD Relief Cream, and Equine Mint CBD. That’s right, we carry products for dogs, cats and even horses. As a rule of thumb, we suggest starting off with a small amount of CBD and then slowly increase it while watching how your pet responds. Now you may be thinking, what about products for me? What do I have to choose from?
CBD Products: the human kind
What product can you choose from? We’re glad you asked. Here is a list of some (you can see all of our products here) of the products that we carry and how they work:
Tinctures: A tincture is an oil like substance that has been added with CBD. With the dropper, place the wanted amount of CBD into the mouth (under the tongue) and let it sit there until absorbed. This also gets in the bloodstream quickly.
Softgels: Softgel CBD is a great way to get CBD into your routine. Our soft capsules are taken like a type of pill. The capsule is full of CBD and carrier oil. Once it reaches the stomach through the digestive tract it then breaks down and is absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach. These take a bit longer to feel but, some have described to last a bit longer.
Edibles: Edibles and Softgels are similar but a bit different. Instead of swallowing a capsule, edibles come in a variety of different yummy types, we carry CBD cherry bomb gummies. Like softgels, after swallowing the edible breaks down in the stomach and the CBD is absorbed from there.
There isn’t a right or wrong way to buy CBD but, hopefully you have found the reason you want to try and the way you’ll get it into your system.