As the States increasingly legalize both medical and recreational #cannabis, the market has become inundated with #CBD products.
You may have heard of CBD in the news and how effective it is for anxiety or pain.
It’s in the news every day.
Despite all the publicity, many of us are still unaware of what CBD actually is, how it works, why people use it and even whether it is legal or not in your state.
Below is a handy guide that will answer all your questions and help you clear up some of the misconceptions about CBD oil and its uses.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the several active compounds that are found in the Cannabis Sativa plant.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is also called THC, is one other active compound and the most popular, thanks to its psychoactive traits – it is actually the one that creates the ‘high’ associated with cannabis.
CBD, however, is non-intoxicating but offers many similar benefits as that of THC.
This enables you to take the utmost advantage of the therapeutic benefits without leaving yourself with the ‘high’ feeling that goes hand in hand with the use of THC.
Cannabis-derived CBD products, or products that consist of THC, maybe a lot more effective compared to the fiber hemp.
However, if you have lived in a state where marijuana has not been legalized, you can still benefit from products that comprise of the industrial hemp-derived CBD.
How Does CBD Work?
Researchers out there are still trying to figure out the several different means as far as how CBD works in the body.
Although the cannabinoids were first discovered in the 1940s, research on this subject has only recently accelerated.
Over the last decade, researchers have explored several fundamental findings on how CBD works in the body.
Hence, scientists now know that the CBD acts as a prime regulator of the endocannabinoid system, also known as the ECS.(De Petrocellis L, Di Marzo V., 2009;23) (1)
These are the large neurotransmitters that aid the brain and body to communicate with one another.
In several ways, the ECS works as a bridge that helps the conscious mind make great sense of the surrounding environment.
The ECS plays a crucial role in various different bodily functions, including:
Making the immune system strong,
Wake/sleep cycle
Bone growth
Movement
Reproduction
Cognition
Metabolism
Mood
Pleasure
Memory
Pain perception and much more
The ECS is basically made up of cell receptors that stay on the surface of the cell and the molecules that connect with these receptors.
The Endocannabinoids work as the body’s own cannabis.
Why Do People Use CBD?
There has not been much research done on CBD to date, however, the outcomes of what has been studied are promising.
Some studies show that CBD can be effective in providing relief from several different mental health conditions like:
Depression
Addiction
Anxiety disorders
Schizophrenia
Post-traumatic stress disorder
The use of CBD has been effective for different physical conditions too.
Research on rats exhibits that CBD oil helps treat pain that is associated with arthritis, whereas other studies done on the cells found that the use of the CBD cream worked as an anti-inflammatory.
Moreover, the use of CBD has been considered beneficial in treating seizure disorders and childhood epilepsy.
The use of CBD also helps prevent the growth of cancer cells and also benefits in managing the adverse effects of cancer treatment.
A review that was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found practical evidence that the use of CBD aids in preventing the spread of cancer cells.(Massi P, Solinas M, Cinquina V, Parolaro D., 2012) (2)
CBD For Pain Relief
If you are considering using CBD for pain relief, below are some of the common conditions that people use CBD to manage the symptoms of:
Digestive Issues – When consumed in oral form, like capsules or gummies, CBD helps resolve digestive issues by boosting metabolism.
Anxiety and Stress – If you are looking for anxiety relief, you may consider vaping CBD. Otherwise, you must keep this in mind that other forms of CBD may take 1 to 2 hours to go into effect. Researchers from the Neurotherapeutics also found that CBD may be useful in reducing anxiety in people with certain related disorders. (Crippa JA, Derenusson GN, Ferrari TB, et al, 2011) (3)
Back Pain, Headaches, and Arthritis – You can easily get rid of acute pains by using CBD creams. If you have suffered from chronic pains, you may consider using the sublingual CBD oils instead.
Different Ways to Take CBD
CBD today is available in different forms. This allows people to take the approach that caters to their needs.
Below are some of the most common ways to take CBD:
Lotions and Creams – CBD infused topical creams are used to treat joint and muscle pains. They also help treat certain skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Tinctures and Oils – CBD oils are usually placed under the tongue using a dropper. The oral mucosa comes with tiny capillaries that help absorb the compounds quickly providing consumers with quick relief. Tinctures and oils are the best choices for all those who would prefer to not swallow capsules or pills.
Gel Capsules – CBD capsules are mainly used for treating digestive issues and seizure disorders. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first high-potency CBD drug that helps treat seizure disorders. The con of using these capsules is that the time from ingestion to onset of effect can take a while.
Edibles – Gummy bears are one of the most popular CBD edibles available today. They are discrete, portable, tasty, and affordable. There is no guesswork involved, as you know what you are actually taking.
Vapes – Inhaling CBD oils via vaping such as e-cigs for CBD, is the quickest means to experience CBD effects. The compounds are quickly inhaled and directly absorbed from the lungs into the bloodstream. Scientists are still trying to decide whether vaping does any damage to the delicate lung tissues or not. However, you should go ahead with caution if you prefer vaping CBD.
How Much CBD You Should Take?
Scientists state that it is imperative that you start low with your CBD intake and gradually increase the amount.
Most research used from 40 milligrams daily up to 1500 milligrams.
Some just start off with 20 to 40 mg per day and later increase the amount until they attain the desired effect.
So, is CBD the best choice for you? It’s only you who can decide and the CBD comes with several different variables.
However, before you plan on managing a medical condition using CBD, it is imperative to consult your physician about the best approach for your specific requirements.
So far, it is not considered to be addictive or harmful and can have potentially positive effects on the body – both mentally and physically.
However, the use of CBD is still illegal in some states.
Are you in search for the best organic CBD oil collection in the UK? Do you want to try out several other rejuvenating supplements: vitamins, collagen peptides to keep your skin naturally glowing?
If ‘Yes’ is the call, For the Ageless is the site you should be checking out.
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References
De Petrocellis L, Di Marzo V. An introduction to the endocannabinoid system: from the early to the latest concepts. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009; 23:1–15.
Massi, P. , Solinas, M. , Cinquina, V. and Parolaro, D. (2013), Cannabidiol as potential anticancer drug. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 75: 303-312.
Crippa JA, Derenusson GN, Ferrari TB, et al. Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report. J Psychopharmacol. 2011;25:121–130