FAQs
CBD has natural health benefits, which means people may often forgo medications that have adverse side effects. It is recommended to talk to a healthcare provider before making changes to medications.
Some of the health benefits of CBD are:
- Relief from anxiety, stress and depression as a mood stabilizer
- Clearing up acne and other skin irritants when applied topically
- Promotes heart health
- Calms seizures in children with epilepsy
- Relief from chronic pain and inflammation
- Helps with symptoms related to cancer treatments such as nausea
- Helps those suffering from insomnia
- May reverse brain damage from alcohol by reducing neurodegeneration
- Might support addiction recovery by blocking certain serotonin receptors
These are just a few of the possible health outcomes when you take CBD. Research is ongoing and it is likely there are more possible health benefits of CBD.
Cannabinoids are compounds that naturally occur in the body that interact with specific receptors to create physiological effects. A cannabis plant has over 100 types of cannabinoids including CBD and THC.
There are two types of receptors in our bodies that respond to cannabis (CB1 & CB2) which are both parts of a endocannabinoid system which mainly controls and regulates the hormones that influence your energy, mood, and appetite.
You can mostly find CB1 receptors in the central nervous system. CB2 receptors are found more in the body’s peripheral nervous system. Substances and chemicals that affect your CB1 receptors, for instance THC, are more likely to create psychoactive effects as they are mainly in your spinal cord and brain. Any chemical that affects your CB2 receptors, for instance CBD, can create reactions to the rest of your body without creating a “high” feeling.
THC has a stronger affinity to CB1 receptors while CBD is more drawn towards CB2 receptors. This simply means that THC is more likely to trigger a euphoric feeling while CBD is more likely to reduce inflammation.
Take note, however, that CBD and THC aren’t exclusive to each receptor. THC, for example, may still react with CB2 receptors but it’s way more likely to interact with CB1 receptors.
Contrary to what many people think, CBD does not cause a high; it does not act on the same pathways that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) does. THC is the psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Basically, it is the main chemical responsible for creating most of marijuana’s common psychological effects.
Now, despite being psychoactive, CBD is not that bad for the body. It actually has neuroprotective properties which means that it can protect your brain cells from the damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation.
Furthermore, CBD can promote the growth of new brain cells.
Those things, however, do not suggest that CBD is completely free from side effects. Although rare, there are still people who react negatively to it.
There are very little to no known side effects associated with CBD use.
Here are some common side effects:
- Sleepiness or fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low blood pressure
If you have adverse reactions to CBD use, you should stop taking it immediately and reevaluate the dose or contact your doctor.
Based on studies, CBD and THC are said to produce greater anti-tumor effects when applied on breast and brain cancer cell lines than using either of them alone. Also, patients with pain related to cancer have better tolerance to medicines that combine THC and CBD.
It may be that to find your optimal dose based on your needs, you may have to do a bit of trial and error. As with any CBD product you take, you need to know the right dose for you. Make sure to start with a lower dose and see how your body will respond. If you do not experience the results you are aiming for, you can work your way up until you find the optimal dose for you.
It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with CBD oil nutrition facts, too. Although the numbers can vary from one brand to another, one ml of CBD oil should contain about 8 calories. A tablespoon of it may contain 14 grams of fat, 12.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat, and about 1.5 grams of saturated fat. However, these numbers usually vary, so be sure to read the label on your CBD oil.
In your body, there is a system called the endocannabinoid system or ECS. The ECS is responsible for maintaining balance in the body in regards to areas such as sleeping, appetite, and mood.
Human bodies make cannabinoids. Because CBD is a cannabinoid, our system recognizes it and uses receptors to help your body keep its balance.
Keep in mind, if you consume a CBD product, like a hemp oil with a higher THC content, than you could possibly fail a routine drug test.
CBD is not regulated by the FDA. The agency needs more information before it can regulate CBD production, marketing, and distribution. Because it is unregulated, there are no reliable dosage recommendations at this time.
Ongoing research conducted by the National Cancer Institute indicates that CBD (along with THC) has shown effective in helping with various symptoms associated with cancer treatment. In addition to helping symptoms, their study on breast cancer treatment, has shown that CBD has properties that hinder or destroy tumor cells while leaving healthy cells intact.
“CBD inhibited the survival of both estrogen receptor–positive and estrogen receptor–negative breast cancer cell lines, inducing apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner while having little effect on nontumorigenic mammary cells.”
Experts are suggesting that CBD use can actually curb the cravings of many people addicted to opioids. Studies have shown that people in recovery that took CBD rather than a placebo had fewer cravings and reduced anxiety in response to the drug-related cues.
Here is an overview of some of the CBD products available.
Tinctures are CBD mixed with water or alcohol and other flavors. You apply or consume CBD under the tongue using a dropper, which makes measuring very convenient.
Salves, Balms or Ointments are concoctions typically made from a natural wax, a fatty oil base & a medicinal or therapeutic compound. The oil portion of the base should have a high content of fatty acids that are responsible for carrying the CBD compound in the salve.
Gummies or edibles are food products that are infused with CBD. This can include snacks like drinks, cookies, bars, and more. They have a fixed amount of CBD in each product.
Capsules are also convenient because the amount of CBD is already measured. If you are wanting a specific amount of CBD, you will need to read the label before consuming it.
Vaping CBD using a vaporizer and a CBD cartridge means CBD gets into your blood system quickly via the lungs.
*When you take CBD edibles or capsules, they must go through digestion and may not work as quickly as vaping or tinctures. This is something to keep in mind should you want fast results.
Here are some safety precautions to take into consideration when you are buying CBD:
- Make sure it is third-party tested
- Read reviews and testimonials online and on the website
- Ensure the company has a website, customer service, phone number, and an address
- Read the product labels to check for ingredients
Overall, double-check everything before you decide to purchase CBD and take your time.