Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is becoming increasingly popular among people looking for an alternative treatment or a health supplement. You can find a lot of evidence for CBD’s potential benefits; we will cover that in this blog too, but first, let’s take a look at what CBD oil is exactly.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is one of the 113 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, so it does not get you high. CBD oil is made by mixing CBD extract with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. CBD oil is considered safe, and experts suggest that it does not have any side effects when used appropriately.
Types of CBD Oil
There are three main types of CBD oil.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate oil does not contain any other cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It only contains CBD.
CBD Full-Spectrum
Full-spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of all the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, in which the percentage of THC is 0.3%. That level of THC is not enough to cause a high.
CBD Broad-Spectrum
Like full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil contains all the other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant except THC.
CBD Oil Benefits
CBD oil is considered to have several potential health benefits; few of them are listed below.
May Help Relieve Pain
Since 2900 B.C., people have been using cannabis to treat all kinds of pain. Still, it is only recently that scientists have pinpointed the components of cannabis that have beneficial effects on pain management. These pain-relieving components include CBD; it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It is a specialized system found in the human body responsible for regulating several functions, including pain, sleep, immune system response, and appetite. The ECS produces endocannabinoids, a type of neurotransmitter that binds with the cannabinoid receptors of the nervous system.
According to a study, CBD impacts the endocannabinoid receptor activity and interacts with the neurotransmitters, which results in reduced inflammation and chronic pain. Another research suggests that using oral CBD for sciatic nerve pain and swelling can be beneficial as it reduces the pain significantly. A third study suggests that CBD injections can reduce severe pain, including pain caused by surgical incision.
Several human studies support CBD’s use with THC for reducing pain caused due to arthritis and multiple sclerosis. One study reviewing Sativex, an oral spray containing both CBD and THC, found that after using it for one month, patients experienced an improvement in walking, pain, and muscle spasms. Another Sativex study reports that it improved pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, both at rest and in motion; it also improved sleep quality.
May Help Reduce Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are widespread mental illnesses, and both have devastating effects on the person suffering from these conditions. WHO reports that depression is the largest, while anxiety is the sixth-largest contributor to disability worldwide. Usually, both these conditions are treated with pharmaceutical drugs, but these drugs can cause several side effects, including headaches, drowsiness, insomnia, agitation, and sexual dysfunction. Medications like benzodiazepines have a risk of addiction and can ultimately lead to substance abuse.
CBD oil, on the other hand, is considered useful for treating depression and anxiety without causing any side effects and without the risk of addiction; this is the primary reason people are interested in using CBD oil as an alternative approach for treating these diseases. According to a study, a dosage of 300-mg of CBD is effective for reducing anxiety while a dose of 150 and 600-mg may not be as effective as the 300-mg dose. CBD is also considered to treat anxiety and insomnia in children with PTSD and to have effects similar to an antidepressant.
May Alleviate Cancer-Related Symptoms
CBD is considered useful for alleviating cancer-related symptoms and side effects of chemotherapy, such as pain, nausea, and vomiting. According to a study, CBD and THC may significantly reduce pain for those cancer patients who cannot find relief from pharmaceutical pain medication; THC alone could not produce the same results. Nausea and vomiting are the two most common side effects of chemotherapy, and, according to a study, CBD is effective for reducing the impact of both these side effects.
People look towards alternative treatments because even though the medications are effective (not for everyone), they have several side effects that people with already damaged health cannot afford. In a study, researchers gave a CBD+THC mouth spray along with the standard treatment to patients experiencing nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy. They found out that the treatment’s effectiveness was increased after it was paired with the mouth spray.
May Reduce Acne
Acne affects over 9% of the total population around the globe; several factors contribute to acne outbursts, including inflammation, genetics, sebum overproduction, and bacteria. Recent studies suggest that CBD may be useful for treating acne due to its ability to control sebum production and anti-inflammatory properties. A survey conducted in 2014, suggests that CBD prevents sebum overproduction and pro-acne agents from activating while exerting anti-inflammatory properties. Another study concludes that CBD may be a safe and efficient treatment for acne as its anti-inflammatory properties are remarkable.
May Have Neuroprotective Properties
CBD’s ability to interact with the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling systems is well-known, and experts believe that this interaction provides several benefits for treating neurological disorders. The neuroprotective properties of CBD are among the most studied topics these days, and the results of these studies are promising. A survey of Sativex found that it reduced muscle spasms in most participants suffering from M.S. and experiencing drug-resistant muscle spasticity. In another study, 214 people were given 0.9 to 2.3 g of CBD oil per pound of their body weight, and as a result, their seizures were reduced by 36.5%. Symptoms of a complex childhood epilepsy disorder, named Dravet syndrome, may also be treated with CBD oil. In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a CBD based medication for the treatment of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; both are very rare forms of epilepsy.
Several studies suggest CBD is effective for improving the quality of sleep and the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients. Another study suggests CBD is useful for preventing or reducing neurodegeneration caused by Alzheimer’s disease. A mice study suggests that CBD prevents cognitive decline caused due to Alzheimer’s disease.
May Benefits Heart Health
Several studies support the use of CBD for maintaining a healthy circulatory system, a healthy heart, and controlling hypertension. High blood pressure can cause several health problems, including metabolic syndrome, stroke, and heart attack, and studies suggest that CBD can help deal with high blood pressure. A study found that 600 mg of CBD oil is capable of reducing the resting blood pressure in healthy men; after receiving a single dose, their stress levels did not increase as much as before when they underwent a stress test. This ability of CBD to lower blood pressure is linked to its ability to reduce stress and anxiety; according to a study, CBD prevents heart damage and reduces oxidative stress in diabetic mice with heart diseases.
How to Take CBD Oil
Here’s how you can use CBD oil.
Apply it on Your Skin (topical application)
When using CBD oil topically, you apply CBD oil, balm, cream, or lotion directly onto your skin; this method is considered to be the safest way to use CBD oil. Unlike other methods, you do not need any additional tools; all you need to do is to figure out the right dosage.
Keep it Under Your Tongue (sublingual)
In the sublingual method, you put a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue using a dropper, hold the drops in your mouth for a minute or two and then swallow. You do not have to buy additional tools to use this method, and the dropper is usually included in the CBD oil tincture bottles.
CBD Oil Edibles
Ingesting CBD oil through edibles or adding CBD oil to your food is a fun and delicious method of taking CBD. This method may take up to 4 hours to take effect, so eat a modest amount and wait a few hours before you eat more.
Inhale CBD oil
Inhaling CBD oil is the fastest method for getting CBD oil into your system because the smoke or vapor goes directly into your bloodstream and lungs. The problem with this method is that it is not considered to be entirely safe, it may be illegal in your state, or the CBD rig or vape pen may contain higher traces of THC. You will also need additional tools if you choose this method, so make sure that you consider the added cost if you want to try this method.
CBD Dosage
The CBD dosage depends on several factors, such as the type of method you are using and your purpose of using CBD. The same dose may not be applicable in different ways; for example, CBD gummies are considered more potent than CBD vapes, so the dosage may vary between the two even if the purpose of using CBD is the same. It is also important to note that CBD’s effects vary from person to person, meaning that you may not experience the same impact of CBD even if you use the same dose and method of taking CBD as your friend.
CBD Side Effects
When used appropriately, CBD is considered not to have any side effects; some side effects can still occur if you overuse CBD oil. These side effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and insomnia
Conclusion
CBD oil is considered to have several health benefits, but it may still not be legal in the state you live in, so be sure to check out state rules about CBD oil and other CBD products. Ensure that the products you are buying are made by a reputable manufacturer and tested by an independent lab.