Cannabidiol (CBD) is often mentioned in the media, and you may have seen it marketed as a supplement to your post-workout smoothie or morning coffee. There’s even a CBD-infused sports bra on the market. But, precisely, what is CBD? And why is it so well-liked?
How is Cannabidiol (CBD) different from marijuana, cannabis and hemp?
CBD, often known as cannabidiol, is the second most common active component in cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is an important component of medicinal marijuana, it is either extracted directly from the hemp plant, a relative of marijuana, or produced in a laboratory. CBD, one of hundreds of components in marijuana, does not produce a “high” on its own. According to a World Health Organization assessment, “CBD has no effects in humans that suggest the possibility of misuse or dependency…. There is currently no evidence of any public health issues linked with the usage of pure CBD.”
Is Cannabidiol (CBD) legal?
CBD is widely available in most regions of the United States, yet its legal status is unclear. CBD is legal in all 50 states, with different degrees of regulation. The FDA relaxed regulatory criteria in December 2015, allowing researchers to undertake CBD experiments. The Farm Bill of 2018 makes hemp legal in the United States, making it very hard to keep CBD illegal – it would be analogous to making oranges legal but keeping orange juice unlawful.
All hemp-derived products, including CBD, were removed from the Controlled Substances Act, which criminalises drug possession, by the Farm Bill. In essence, this implies that CBD is lawful if derived from hemp, but illegal if derived from cannabis (marijuana) — despite the fact that they are the same chemical. Many individuals now buy CBD online without a medical marijuana card, which is permitted in most states.
The evidence for Cannabidiol (CBD) health benefits
CBD has been praised for a broad range of health conditions, but the greatest scientific evidence is for its efficacy in treating some of the most brutal paediatric epileptic disorders, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which often do not respond to antiseizure drugs. CBD has been shown in multiple trials to lessen the frequency of seizures and, in some circumstances, to completely eliminate them. Epidiolex, a CBD-containing drug, is the FDA’s first cannabis-derived medicine authorised for these diseases.
- Animal studies, as well as self-reports and human research, show that CBD may also assist with:
- Anxiety Studies and clinical studies are looking at the widely reported claim that CBD may relieve anxiety.
- Insomnia. CBD may aid in both falling and staying asleep, according to research.
Chronic discomfort. More human research are required to back up claims that CBD may aid with pain management. When administered to the skin, one animal research published in the European Journal of Pain shows that CBD may help reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. Other study suggests that CBD may help to reduce inflammatory and neuropathic pain, both of which are difficult to treat.
Addiction. According to certain human studies, CBD may help reduce cravings for cigarettes and heroin under specific situations. Animal addiction models show that it may also help reduce cravings for alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and stimulants.
Is Cannabidiol (CBD) safe?
CBD’s side effects include nausea, tiredness, and irritability. CBD may raise the amount of blood thinning and other medications in your bloodstream by competing with the liver enzymes that break these drugs down. Certain medications have a similar impact on grapefruit.
High-dose CBD users may have anomalies in liver-related blood tests. Many over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have the similar effect. As a result, if you use CBD on a daily basis, you should inform your doctor.
The fact that CBD is predominantly advertised and sold as a supplement, rather than a prescription, raises serious safety concerns. The FDA currently does not oversee the safety and purity of dietary supplements. As a result, you cannot be certain that the product you purchase contains active chemicals at the dosage specified on the label. Furthermore, the product may include additional unidentified components. We also don’t know what the best effective CBD therapeutic dosage is for any given medical condition.
Read more: A simple rule concerning water and electrolyte regulation is
How can Cannabidiol (CBD) be taken?
CBD is available in a variety of forms, including oils, extracts, capsules, patches, vapes, and topical skin treatments. A topical CBD-infused oil, lotion, or cream – or even a bath bomb – may be the best choice 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, enables CBD to enter the bloodstream immediately.
Outside of the United States, the prescription medicine Sativex, which contains CBD as an active component, is authorised for multiple sclerosis muscular stiffness and cancer pain. Epidiolex is licenced in the United States for the treatment of certain kinds of epilepsy and tuberous sclerosis.
The bottom line on Cannabidiol (CBD)
Some CBD producers have come under fire from the authorities for making outrageous, unjustified claims, such as CBD being a cure-all for cancer or COVID-19, which it is not. More study is needed, but CBD may show to be a beneficial, non-toxic choice for treating anxiety, sleeplessness, and chronic pain. We can’t estimate beneficial amounts without enough high-quality information from human research, and since CBD is presently accessible as an unregulated supplement, it’s difficult to know precisely what you’re receiving.
If you decide to experiment with CBD, make sure you purchase it from a reliable supplier. Also, see your doctor to ensure that it will not interfere with any other medications you are taking.
