Everything you need to know about CBD oil, including dosage and side effects.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid oil produced from cannabis. It may aid in the reduction of inflammation and discomfort. However, it is not legal in all states, and there are potential negative effects to consider.

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol oil may help with chronic pain. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid present in cannabis that has been studied for therapeutic purposes.

Marijuana has two types of chemical compounds: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These chemicals have varied effects.

THC is the most famous chemical in cannabis. It’s the most active component, and it has a psychological impact. When smoked or used in cooking, it generates a mind-altering “high” due to its breakdown when heated and introduction into the body. THC does this because as it warms up, it breaks down and enters your body.

Cannabis has two main chemical components: THC, which is psychoactive, and CBD, which is not. It does not alter a person’s mental state when they use it. However, it may induce significant modifications in the body and appears to provide some impressive medical advantages.

Find out more about the differences between CBD and THC in this article.

Where does CBD come from?

CBD is a chemical found in the cannabis plant. Depending on the amount of THC they contain, cannabis plants are known as hemp or marijuana.

Hemp plants are lawful under the Farm Bill as long as they contain less than 0.3 percent THC, according to the FDA.

Over the years, marijuana growers have developed strains that contain high levels of THC and other compounds that they desire.

However, hemp farmers seldom modify the plant. CBD oil originates from legal hemp plants.

How CBD works

Cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which is made up of cannabinoid receptors.

CB1 receptors are made in the brain and spinal cord, whereas CB2 receptors can be found throughout the body. They control movement, pain, emotions, thoughts, appetite, memories, and other activities.

CB2 receptors are generally more abundant in the immune system. They impact both inflammation and pain.

THC binds to CB1 receptors, but CBD activates them, resulting in the body’s own cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) being produced.

For additional information and solutions on CBD, go to our dedicated hub.

Benefits

CBD may have a variety of health advantages. According to a 2018 research by Trusted Source, the following are some of the benefits of CBD oil:

• chronic pain
• arthritis or joint pain
• anxiety and depression
• Sleep Disorder
• Migraine
• cluster and other headaches
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• nausea
• cancer
• allergies or asthma
• epilepsy and other seizure disorders
• multiple sclerosis (MS)
• lung conditions
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease 

There’s some evidence to support several of these applications. What does CBD do for pain? Find out more here.

Natural pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties

Conventional medicines can help with stiffness and discomfort, but some people believe CBD to be a more natural choice. There’s a lot of buzz about cannabinoids and non-psychoactive components in marijuana, such as CBD, being used to treat chronic pain.

CBD effectively lowers inflammation in mice according to studies published in 2018.

According to a 2019 study, topical CBD applications reduced inflammation and scarring in animal models of skin disease.

Quitting smoking and drug withdrawal

In a 2013 pilot study, Trusted Source determined that smokers who used CBD inhalers smoked fewer cigarettes and had reduced cravings for nicotine. This suggests that CBD might be useful in assisting people quit smoking.

 

CBD reduced cravings during tobacco withdrawal, according to a 2018 Trusted Source survey, due to its calming effect. According to a 2015 review by Trusted Source, certain cannabinoids, such as CBD, may help those addicted to opioids.

The researchers discovered that CBD helped to relieve some symptoms connected with substance abuse. These included anxiety, mood-related issues, pain, and sleeplessness.

CBD’s effectiveness in treating withdrawal symptoms continues to be backed by research.

Epilepsy

The FDATrusted Source, a leading source of information on CBD oil for epileptic disorders, has determined that Epidiolex, a purified type of CBD, is safe and effective.

The FDA has granted the drug’s manufacturer a “pediatric” license, which permits it to be used in children aged 3 years and older. It’s also licensed for the following:

• Lennox-Gastaut syndrome 
• Dravet syndrome 

Epilepsy syndromes characterized by frequent bursts of activity and in which seizures are hard to control with other types of medicine are known as complex partial epileptic encephalopathies (CPSEO).

CBD is proving to be more effective than previous medications in treating epileptic seizures without the drowsiness associated with traditional treatments. Synthetic medicines that target the endocannabinoid system have not yet been developed.

Alzheimer’s disease

CBD has been studied extensively for the effects it may have on Alzheimer’s disease. CBD was found in a rodent study to help people retain their ability to recognize familiar faces. This skill is lost in persons with Alzheimer’s disease. CBD was found to slow the progression and onset of Alzheimer’s disease in a 2019 study. More research is needed to better understand dosing. Some scientists believe a treatment that combines THC with CHD may be more successful.

Other neurological symptoms and disorders

CBD has been shown in studies to help with a variety of epileptic disorders, including neurodegeneration, neuronal damage, and mental illness. CBD may have effects comparable to those of certain antipsychotic medicines, according on a 2012 study. The ingredient may be used to treat people with schizophrenia, according to a 2016 study from Trusted Source. However, further studies are necessary.

Fighting cancer

A 2012Trusted Source review revealed that CBD may help prevent the spread of certain types of cancer. The chemical appears to slow the growth of cancer cells while encouraging their destruction.

The researchers emphasized that CBD has a low toxicity profile. They called for more study on how CBD might be used to help with conventional cancer therapies.

CBD may enhance the immune system’s response to cancer therapy, according to a 2020 review. CBD has been the topic of numerous studies in order to determine how it might help:

• prevent the growth of cancer cells
• reduce anxiety
• improve the action of chemotherapy
• lessen the side effects of conventional chemotherapy 

Anxiety disorders

Doctors have long advised persons suffering from chronic anxiety to avoid cannabis, since THC can cause or exacerbate feelings of worry and paranoia. CBD, on the other hand, may assist with anxiety.

CBD reduced anxiety-like behaviors in mice during a study published in 2019.

The following individuals might benefit from CBD in order to reduce anxiety-related behaviors:

• PTSD
• general anxiety disorder (GAD)
• panic disorder
• social anxiety disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder

The experts expressed that current therapies might have harmful side effects, and some people stop using them as a result. There is no evidence to suggest that CBD has any significant negative effects.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas, causing inflammation.

CBD has been shown in research to help reduce irritation and protect against or delay the onset of type 1 diabetes.

CBD was found to have neuroprotective effects on rats with diabetes in a 2018 research, including the ability to help them remember and reduce nerve inflammation.

Acne

Another CBD-based therapy is acne treatment. Acne is associated with inflammation and overworked sebaceous glands in the body.

CBD, according to a 2014 studyTrusted Source, helps to reduce sebum production, which contributes to acne. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties contribute significantly.

According to research, applying CBD topically can help to decrease inflammation in psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases.

The popularity of CBD as a skin-care component is increasing. Some experts, on the other hand, are concerned about the lack of proof for its efficacy and the absence of legal oversight.

Legality

CBD’s legal status in the United States is complicated. Under the Farm Bill, hemp and hemp-derived products are lawful as long as their THC concentration is lower than 0.3 percent.

There is, however, still some uncertainty regarding the details. People should verify their state’s and any travel destination’s laws. It’s worth noting that the FDATrusted Source has yet to approve any nonprescription goods, so users have no way of knowing what they’re getting into.

Risks and side effects

CBD, like other medicines, has the ability to have some negative effects. It is possible that it will interact with various medications. The majority of CBD products are not authorized by the FDA, implying they haven’t been extensively investigated.

It’s difficult to determine whether or not a product is genuine.

• It’s not only safe, but it’s also very effective for everyone to utilize.
• This is a package of assets or contents that are advertised on the box.

Anyone who is using CBD – whether as a prescription medication or in other forms – should first see a physician. 

The following are some of the possible negative effects:Trusted Source

• liver damage
• interactions with other drugs and alcohol
• changes in alertness, which can make driving dangerous
• gastrointestinal problems and loss of appetite
• mood changes, including irritability and irritation
• a reduction in fertility for males

The beneficial effects of CBD are not yet fully understood, but further study may reveal that it is useful in treating a variety of ailments. However, the FDA now warns consumers against depending on CBD as a substitute for traditional medical therapy.

How to use CBD

There are several ways to utilize CBD oil. These are not the same as smoking or utilizing whole cannabis.

It’s critical to follow the instructions given by your doctor if you take CBD for epilepsy.

• mixing them into food or drink
• taking them with a pipette or dropper
• swallowing capsules 
• massaging a paste into the skin
• spraying it under the tongue

The dosages recommended by practitioners vary from person to person depending on a variety of factors, such as:

• body weight
• the concentration of the product
• the reason for using CBD