A Spotlight On CBD Oil
CBD products are touted as safe, natural, and affordable. They are marketed as remedies for physical ailments, stress, mental illnesses, and insomnia. CBD, like Cannabis, is also used as a health supplement for overall wellness.
What is CBD, though, and how do you use it? Is this plant-derived compound as wonderful as the headlines claim? We were curious, too, so we did some further investigating.
Whether you’re also curious about the hype or looking to begin your own journey with CBD, here’s everything you need to know about its origin, effects, and safe usage.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is found alongside more than 80 active cannabinoids (chemical compounds) in the Cannabis sativa plant. CBD is also in industrial hemp. With roots traced to 2700 B.C., CBD has been used for medicinal and natural remedy purposes for centuries. This is because of how the plant interacts with the endocannabinoid system—a modulatory system that balances the body during stress.
Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the other primary and most known cannabinoid in cannabis—CBD doesn’t alter your mind or cause a psychoactive reaction. In other words, using CBD won’t get you high.
The Benefits of CBD
While the research about the health benefits of CBD oil is still in its infancy, studies are finding CBD oil may help with the treatment and prevention of numerous illnesses. Further studies and evidence also suggest CBD may be an effective and natural treatment for mental health issues. The use of the cannabinoid increases anandamide and neurotransmitter serotonin, thus leading researchers to believe CBD oil can also help with stress and work as an antioxidant & anti-inflammatory compound.
Here are just a few of the benefits of CBD:
- Treating Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and epilepsy. The FDA has approved Epidiolex, a prescription medication made from purified CBD oil, as a treatment for two types of rare and severe epilepsy.
- A natural treatment for schizophrenia, anxiety and depression.
- Helps reduce stress and improves the quality of sleep.
- Works as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
We love this firsthand account of a woman who tried CBD oil as a way to treat her anxiety; check it out.
What to Ask Before Buying CBD
Buying and using CBD oil in the USA is legal because it doesn’t contain THC. When sold outside states where medical and recreational marijuana is permitted, the purity of CBD is not regulated (check out this article from healthy-ish for further reading). That’s why it’s essential to do your research and ask questions of brands.
It’s also important to ask about the origin and purity of CBD. Where did this CBD oil come from? (Ideally, you want it to be local.) Is it organic? What third-party testing happens to ensure the CBD is pure, safe, and free from contaminants? As always, transparency is key. If a brand is not willing to share information, be cautious. There are plenty of safe CBD oil retailers wanting to educate and engage with customers. Check out a few of our favorite brands below to help get you started.
How to Use CBD
CBD is extracted in oil or powder form and then added to lotions, capsules, gummies, sprays, foods, and even bath bombs. You can add it to your coffee or morning smoothies. The natural oil can be applied topically or ingested. It can also be inhaled by way of vaping or taken sublingually (placed under the tongue). There are numerous products and brands to choose from on the market as CBD continues to gain popularity as a natural remedy. Trying it is simple, straightforward, and accessible in many different forms.
Source: The Good Grade