Cannabidiol (CBD) is frequently discussed in the media, and it may be recommended as a supplement for your post-workout smoothie or morning coffee. There’s even a CBD-infused sports bra on the market. But what is CBD, exactly? And why is it so well-liked?
What distinguishes cannabidiol from marijuana, cannabis, and hemp?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the second most common active component in cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is an important component of medical marijuana, it is either extracted directly from the hemp plant, which is a relative of marijuana, or synthesized in a lab. CBD is one of hundreds of ingredients in marijuana, but it does not produce a “high” on its own. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) assessment, “CBD has no effects in humans that suggest it could be abused or become addictive…. To date, there has been no indication of any public health issues linked to the usage of pure CBD.”
Cannabidiol’s health advantages are supported by evidence.
CBD has been hailed for a range of health conditions, but the best scientific evidence is for its efficacy in treating some of the cruelest childhood epileptic syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which do not respond to antiseizure drugs. CBD has been shown in multiple trials to lessen the number of seizures and, in some circumstances, to completely stop them. Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug, is the first FDA-approved cannabis-derived medicine for these disorders.
According to animal studies, self-reports, and human research, CBD may help with:
- Anxiety CBD has been linked to a reduction in anxiety in studies and clinical trials.
- Insomnia. CBD has been shown in studies to aid in both falling and staying asleep.
- Pain that lasts for a long time. More human research are needed to back up claims that CBD can aid with pain management. CBD may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis when applied to the skin, according to a study published in the European Journal of Pain. CBD has also been shown to decrease inflammatory and neuropathic pain, both of which are difficult to treat.
- Addiction. According to some human study, CBD can help reduce cravings for tobacco and heroin in some circumstances. It may also help reduce cravings for alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and stimulants in animal models of addiction.
Is CBD a safe substance?
Nausea, tiredness, and irritability are some of the CBD’s side effects. CBD competes for the liver enzymes that break down blood thinners and other medications, causing them to accumulate in your blood. With certain drugs, grapefruit has a similar effect.
High-dose CBD users may experience anomalies in liver-related blood tests. Many over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have a similar effect. If you use CBD on a regular basis, you should inform your doctor.
CBD is generally marketed and sold as a supplement, not a pharmaceutical, which raises serious safety concerns. Dietary supplements are currently unregulated by the FDA in terms of safety and quality. As a result, you can’t be certain that the product you buy contains active chemicals in the dose specified on the label. In addition, the product could contain unidentified components. We also have no idea what the best effective CBD therapeutic dose is for any given medical condition.
What is the best way to take CBD?
CBD is available in a variety of forms, including oils, extracts, capsules, patches, vapes, and topical skin preparations. A topical CBD-infused oil, lotion, or cream – or even a bath bomb – may be the best option for reducing inflammation and relieving muscle and joint pain. A CBC patch, tincture, or spray meant to be applied under the tongue, on the other hand, allows CBD to enter the bloodstream immediately.
Sativex, a prescription medicine that contains CBD as an active ingredient, is approved for muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and cancer pain outside of the United States. Epidiolex is approved in the United States for specific kinds of epilepsy and tuberous sclerosis.
Cannabidiol’s final verdict
Some CBD manufacturers have come under fire from the authorities for making outlandish claims such CBD being a cancer cure or COVID-19, which it isn’t. More research is needed, but CBD could be a useful and generally non-toxic option for treating anxiety, sleeplessness, and chronic pain. We can’t estimate beneficial amounts without enough high-quality information from human research, and because CBD is currently available as an unregulated supplement, it’s difficult to know exactly what you’re getting.
If you decide to try CBD, make sure you purchase it from a trustworthy source. Also, check with your doctor to be sure it won’t interfere with any other medications you’re taking.