The cannabidiol or popularly known as CBD is taking the health and medicinal world by storm. Being linked to many health benefits, CBD supplements and other products associated with it are being developed. Many tests and research are also being conducted to explore the potential of CBD in treating health conditions and how they can help the human body.
What Is CBD?
The cannabis plant is made up of over a hundred chemical compounds, and CBD is one of them. You read it right, the cannabidiol comes from the cannabis plant or marijuana classified as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the natural chemicals that can be found in cannabis plants and species.
As you know, marijuana or cannabis is infamous for its recreational use and the products coming from it are linked with legal or safety controversies.
According to researchers, the CBD is non-psychoactive with very little to negligible amounts of THC. The tetrahydrocannabinol or commonly known as THC is the psychoactive component and one of the cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. It is responsible for the “high” sensation that cannabis users experience and substance abuse. So, addiction and dependence are not likely to happen when consuming or using CBD.
CBD Oil vs. Hemp Oil
The hemp and cannabis (marijuana) plant are different varieties of the cannabis plant. They are considered the primary sources of CBD oil. Industries lean toward the use of hemp plant because it contains less THC.
To lessen your confusion about CBD oil and hemp oil, here are details on what makes them different from each other.
- The CBD oil can be extracted from the flowers and leaves of a hemp plant while hemp oil is made of hemp plant seed (usually called hemp seed oil).
- The hemp seed oil contains no active CBD while the CBD oil is packed with cannabidiol
- CBD oil is typically used for supplement and medicinal purposes while hemp oil is primarily used for food because of its high nutritional value. The hemp oil is rich with vitamins, fiber, protein, minerals, and heart-friendly fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6).
CBD: Is it Safe and Legal?
Generally, CBD is proven safe to use and can be taken as a supplement in oil form, capsule or tablet form, or as an additive in food and beverages. However, it can have some effect on medications. If you are taking certain medications, it is best to consult your doctor or your trusted medical professional before consuming CBD.
Making news all over the health and medicine, CBD can be purchase in almost every place across the United States and around the world. However, its exact legal status is still not clear on the radar because some places consider it the same as marijuana. There are different restrictions for every state in the US with regards to the distribution and use of cannabidiol especially when the Farm Bill was approved.
There are Farm Bill accredited distributors like CBD cheefbotanicals and many more if you need CBD. In the meantime, researchers are positive that the legal status of cannabidiol will be changing because of the numerous health benefits it provides.
Health Benefits of CBD
The health benefits and healing properties of CBD have been proven for many illnesses and health conditions. As mentioned above, CBD contains negligible traces of THC making it safe from substance abuse and dependence. Here are some of the health conditions where they use cannabidiol as a remedy based on reports:
Anxiety and Depression
In some research, CBD oil helps reduce anxiety and depression problems. Cannabidiol can help reduce anxiety in a patient with behavioral illness because of its non-psychoactive property.
The CBD also helps in treating other behavioral disorders like general anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, panic disorder, OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Pain and Inflammation
Cannabis has been used since ancient times as a treatment for pain and inflammation. The discovery of the pain-relieving effects of cannabis by scientists in our present time is due to its specific components, which include CBD. The notable health conditions which use CBD for pain treatment include nerve pains, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle spasms, and multiple sclerosis.
Cancer
Cannabidiol can help in alleviating cancer-related symptoms. It can also help in reducing the side effects of cancer treatment like pain and nausea. The role of CBD looks promising in the treatment of cancer.
However, more research must be done to clarify the extent of its potency in terms of fighting cancer and helping patients condition before and after other treatments.
Epilepsy
The CBD has anti-seizure properties that can naturally treat patients with drug-resistant disorders like epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which the brain activities experience abnormalities. This abnormal brain activity results in loss of awareness, seizures, and unusual behavior.
The CBD can also help in treating other nerve and neurological disorders like degeneration, neural injury, inflammation, and psychiatric disorder.
Heart Ailments
The benefits of CBD for the heart and blood circulation have also been proven in some research. It can also lower high blood pressure, which is linked to higher risks of heart attack and other heart ailments.
Skin Conditions
Cannabidiol has properties that regulate the oil production of our skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat eczema and acne. The CBD can also help nourish the skin as it contains vitamins and nutrients that are essential for smooth and fair skin like vitamin E.
Ways to Consume CBD
While CBD can be consumed on its own, there are ways to enjoy it while reaping its health benefits. It can be used in preparing or cooking dishes. Here is a list of food that can be mixed with CBD:
- Cakes
- Sandwich Spreads
- Pastries
- Savory Dishes
- Coffee or Tea
- Salads
Conclusion
The CBD has a lot of promising benefits to the health and wellness of a person. While it is true that more research needs to be done to explore its potential, the proven health benefits are simply astonishing.
Knowing that it is safe to consume and legal with some restrictions, you might be thinking of trying to use it now. You can consume it conventionally or add a little twist to your favorite dishes while simultaneously obtaining the benefits the CBD has to offer.
