Despite all of the good things you have probably heard about cannabidiol (CBD) oil, there are also some not-so-good things that you have heard as well. It is true that CBD does have some side effects. However, that does not mean that it is not worth the benefits it may provide. In this article we are going to cover what CBD oil is and how it may help you and how those benefits compare with the side effects you may experience if you do not take it correctly.
What is CBD oil and its benefits?
We should start by defining CBD in general, as that may help you understand the benefits and side effects better.
CBD is a chemical compound that is commonly found in cannabis plants like marijuana and hemp. To get a bit more detailed, CBD is a member of a large family of chemical compounds. They are known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are found in great abundance in cannabis. They are the reason that cannabis has an effect on people. They interact with a group of receptors known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). These receptors control a number of different functions causing different cannabinoids to have different effects. There is a cannabinoid that is more infamous than famous, and it is not CBD. It is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is the cannabinoid that causes the most famous effect of marijuana. It creates a psychoactive effect. That means that it creates the high that is so often associated with marijuana. However, it is important to remember that CBD and THC, while both cannabinoids, are very different compounds. CBD does not cause the high that THC does. In fact, it does not appear to have any psychoactive effects.
As mentioned above, there are two main forms of cannabis. They are hemp and marijuana. While their names are often used interchangeably by those who do not know any better, they are actually pretty different. Their differences are mainly based on their cannabinoid concentrations. Hemp has an incredibly high concentration of CBD and a very low one of THC. Marijuana is a near opposite. It has varying levels of CBD and high concentrations of THC. This has led to marijuana being federally illegal (with a few exceptions) and CBD being federally legal (with a few exceptions). It has also led to hemp being the main cannabis plant used by CBD manufacturers.
Now that we have defined CBD, let’s talk about CBD oil specifically.
CBD oil is one of the most popular and simplest CBD products out there. It is made by mixing CBD extract with an inert carrier oil (usually something like avocado or coconut oil). Some CBD oils have other essential oils mixed in to help with the flavor and/or give the oil a little bit of an added boost.
CBD oil’s popularity comes partially from the fact that it gives users a few options on how to take it. One of the easier, more direct ways is by placing the desired number of drops under your tongue. This is the quickest way as the CBD can absorb through the skin there and enter the bloodstream quickly and easily. You can also mix the oil in with some food or drink. This way you are essentially making your own CBD edible. This is a bit slower than other methods of taking the oil. This is because you have to wait for the digestive process before you can get any effect.
The definition of CBD oil is so simple, it can be surprising that there are so many potential benefits associated with it. But there is research backing these claims up. Let’s talk about some of them.
The research on CBD is still a little bit lacking if we are to be honest. This is because scientists have only been aware of the benefits of the compound in the last few decades. However, the fact that the research on CBD is still preliminary should not be discouraging. Afterall, the studies that have been published have generally been very encouraging. This study, for example, suggests that CBD could be helpful in dealing with a nervous disposition. Another study found that CBD could be used to help manage discomfort associated with inflammation and joint health. There are even studies that suggest that CBD could be good for skin health.
These benefits may be almost too good to be true, and yet each of those examples have many other studies to back them up. As we learn more about CBD, no doubt other benefits will come to light.
What are the CBD oil side effects and are they worth it?
As mentioned, there are CBD negative side effects. Generally, they are not too terribly serious. They tend to be along the lines of things like nausea, fatigue, and mild dizziness. Clearly these are not things to be too afraid of. But that does not mean that you should have to experience them. And you may not have to. The negative effects of CBD can be avoided. The main thing is that you have to make sure that you are taking the right amount of CBD. These side effects of CBD oil are generally caused by taking too much of the cannabinoid. So, this raises a new question. How do you find the right amount of CBD for you?
The best way to do this is by experimenting. There is no simpler way of finding your CBD limit. You just have start with a low amount and slowly work your way up. Once you find the amount that gives you your desired effect without any negative effects, then you know you found the right amount of CBD for you.
So, are the side effects worth the positive effects? We here at Nature Blend certainly think so, but we are also a CBD company. We may be a little biased. However, we would not have gotten into the CBD industry if we did not think that it could benefit people. Really the only way to know if the positives outweigh the negatives for you is by giving CBD a try for yourself.