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CBD and General Health – What The Science Has To Say

CBD or cannabidiol is one of those chemical compounds that falls in the ‘grey area’. The FDA doesn’t see it as a medicine (except for use in Epidiolex, the first-ever cannabinoid medicine for treating seizures). Mostly it’s treated as a natural supplement. But, it doesn’t mean that people have not had positive experiences with CBD. While there are no concentrate medical applications of this cannabinoid, most of its effects are wellness related. To that end, many users report feeling an improved sense of calmness. Some even use it for a boost in energy which is why lots of athletes would drink smoothies with some kind of CBD supplement.

So, what exactly is it that CBD can help you with? Is it legal and can it act as a medicine? Let’s see –

Health Benefits

Let’s preface by saying that most of the positive effects of CBD are related to general health. Although many people use it as an herbal remedy to relieve pain and manage stress/anxiety, the effects are not fully monitored from a pharmacological perspective. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the areas of general well-being that CBD might help you with –

  • Better Sleep Quality – A clinical study showed that many trial participants in this study experienced an apparent improvement in their quality of sleep with the help of CBD. As someone who might have trouble falling asleep but doesn’t want to turn to pharmaceutical drugs, CBD might provide a more natural way to ease sleep-related issues. In terms of application, CBD is available in the form of salves, tincture, and oils. Application will depend upon the form/nature of product.
  • May act as a mild mood-elevator – The general approach when it comes to helping people struggling with stress, mood swings and anxiety is to prescribe pharmaceutical drugs. Some of those may be effective, but many of them carry long term side effects. Sometimes the potential of those long-term side-effects can make people swear off those drugs. Many proponents of natural and more herbal ways of managing mood-related disorders may prefer using cannabinoids like CBD. According to a 2014 research, CBD appeared to interact on the level of brain – more specifically with the serotonin receptors in the brain thus elevating mood and sense of wellness.

There is more medical documentation indicating similar effects of cannabidiol. However, since it’s not available in the form of medication and most of the documentation surrounds self-medication, it’s hard to tell what dosage and what form will be most effective for elevating mood. But, we cannot ignore the fact that CBD does hold potential to put people in a better mood.

  • Potential To Induce Relaxation – This one should come as no surprise considering where CBD comes from. In case you didn’t know, CBD or cannabidiol is a type of cannabinoid similar to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – two most popular cannabinoids present in Cannabis Sativa. However, unlike THC, CBD doesn’t carry psychoactive properties. Instead, it’s supposed to be the therapeutic sibling of this cannabinoid.

With that said, it’s important to point out that any legal CBD product will come from high-quality CBD hemp flower (the legal cannabis strain). One of the leading reasons behind hemp’s growing popularity is the ability of hemp-derived products to improve relaxation. Many users feel calmer and in control of their mind upon using CBD oil. So, if you are also looking for a natural way to induce tranquility and general wellness, it could be an option worth trying.

What is CBD’s status in terms of legality?

CBD and CBD-products are almost easily accessible in largely parts of the US. However, it’s legal status has always remained in flux. Although all 50 states have legalized CBD, the degree of restrictions may vary. CBD comes from the family of cannabis which sometimes inadvertently linking it to marijuana which might raise some eyebrows. But, it’s not considered harmful or an illegal substance. As a matter of fact, according to The 2018 Farm Bill, hemp cultivation has officially become a legal practice and will remain so for the next five years.

Is CBD a Medication?

There is plenty of medical literature available online that outlines CBD’s potential to help with many physical and mental ailments such as stress, pain and anxiety just to name a few, but it still doesn’t qualify as ‘medicine’. What it means is that although CBD products are legal and easily available throughout the country, it remains largely unclear as to what dose will yield what kind of results. Most users tend to monitor results based on multiple trials until they can figure out correct dosage which works best for them.

Is CBD Safe?

Although CBD is sought as a natural supplement, it may carry unforeseen side-effects much like any other pharmaceutical drug. Some of the more pronounced side effects can include fatigue, irritability, nausea. Cannabidiol also carries the risk of acting like a blood thinner. However, the biggest safety concern stems from the fact that CBD usage is not regulated.

And so, in the absence of regulations, it’s hard to assess the purity and safety of any CBD product. A user can never know for sure if the product carries an active profile of ingredients that are supposed to provide it with therapeutic usage. Users may also remain unclear of the correct dosage given their personal medical history and circumstances. That’s why it’s important to know the source of your CBD product and do the proper research.

If you’re interested in learning more about or trying CBD oil, check out the following review on the best CBD oils.

 

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Written by Nat Sauteed

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