If you talked to a group of people about cannabidiol (CBD), there is a fair chance that a good number of them would have tried it. Out of that group it is pretty likely that most of them like it and have continued to use it since they first started. It is also equally likely that there are some people in that group would say that they do not like CBD that much because they could not get it to work for them. They likely just experienced negative side effects without any of the positive effects. No one is quite sure why yet, but there are some people who are extra sensitive to things like CBD. As a result, they have poor experiences with the compound. So, how can you know if you are one of those extra-sensitive people? Unfortunately, it is not a simple test. But let’s talk a little about CBD oil before we really get into it.
What does CBD oil do?
Let’s actually start with what CBD oil is.
CBD is a cannabinoid. That is a kind of chemical compound unique to the cannabis plant. They can be very useful because they interact with a group of receptors in the body that are part of a large group of receptors known as the Endocannabinoid System. This system controls a number of functions in the body, many of them associated with homeostasis. There are several different cannabinoids other than CBD, in fact there are over 113 different cannabinoids. One of them is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is pretty famous. It is the compound in cannabis that makes people high. Because of their connection, it is not uncommon for people to think that CBD also gets people high. However, CBD does not cause a high at all. This major difference between CBD and THC is very important as it helps define the legality of two cannabis variations: hemp and marijuana.
Hemp has been federally legal since 2018 (but you should know that it is illegal in a few states). This is because hemp has very little THC and a lot of CBD. So, it is not likely to cause a high, but it may provide some potential health benefits. Meanwhile, marijuana is federally illegal, but its legal status has slowly been changing as more and more states legalize it on one level or another. Its legal status is based on the fact that marijuana has a lot of THC in it. Most CBD companies get their CBD from hemp instead of marijuana.
CBD oil is a pretty simple, yet effective product. It is CBD extract that has been mixed with an inert carrier oil. Avocado and coconut oils are some of the most common bases for CBD oil. These can be taken by mixing it in with food or drink. Or you can place the CBD drops directly into your mouth. Some people even rub the oil onto their skin.
There are a lot of potential effects of CBD that people claim out there. The research on these claims are still preliminary. However, the results of the studies that have been completed are incredibly encouraging. Some of the most promising studies have been focused on how CBD may be able to help anxiety, inflammation, and pain.
It is not hard to see why people are excited about CBD. Afterall, research is showing it to be a potential holistic alternative to some unpleasant medication. But we are all too aware that not everything works the same for everyone. CBD is not exception in that. So, how can you tell if CBD would work for you?
How do I know if CBD oil will work for me?
The simple answer to this is, you do not know. Not really. Not until you try it. However, we can tell you that there are some specific circumstances where you may not want to take CBD oil. One of the main ones is if you take a medication with a grapefruit warning. If you do, you know that eating grapefruit can cause your medication to become in essence ineffectual. CBD does something similar to these medications. It tends to interact with these medications in the same way, causing them to not work as well or even stop working entirely.
The other circumstance where you should not take CBD is if your doctor tells you not to. Whether it is due to having medications that can be affected by CBD, or if it due to having an allergy, if your doctor tells you not to take CBD, they probably have a good reason. For example, your doctor will tell you not to take CBD if you are pregnant, planning on getting pregnant, or nursing. We do not yet know the full extent of how CBD effects children or unborn babies.
One thing that people who say that CBD does not work for them talk about the most is the side effects. Generally, the side effects of CBD are experienced by those who have taken too much of the cannabinoid. However, some people are sensitive to CBD enough that even the smallest amount of CBD is enough for them to get the negative side effects. These side effects usually include things like fatigue, nausea, and gastrointestinal upset. You can see that these side effects are not deadly, but they certainly are not fun either.
It is understandable why those who are sensitive to CBD would not want to take it. So, if you have tried CBD and its effects are unpleasant for you even at the smallest possible dose, it is safe to say that CBD is not likely going to work for you. Again, there is no set qualifier to help you decide whether or not CBD is going to work for you or not. You just have to try it. We recommend starting your dose small and then slowly working your way up if you are not experiencing the negative side effects. And of course, always be sure to talk to your doctor first.