If you are looking for an alternative source of medicine, then CBD would be the most ideal solution. The organic compound is an affordable, effective, safe, and non-addictive source of medicine that’s used to enhance wellness. CBD enhances different biological processes in the body to promote optimal function. From anxiety, muscle injuries to serious health conditions such as cancer and arthritis, you can rely on CBD to improving your general wellness. So, how does CBD work, and what are some of the benefits that you can get from it? To find out about all that and other related information, keep on reading.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD is a chemical compound that’s found in the cannabis plant. It’s rated as the second most prevalent active ingredient found in cannabis. Cannabidiol has numerous beneficial properties include anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and-tumor, and anti-depressant properties among others.
How does Cannabidiol Work?
The body has the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that controls a wide array of biological functions. This includes the immune response, temperature control, sleep, and mood, etc. This means that when something unusual happens in the body, this system will try to release natural cannabinoids or endocannabinoids in order to restore balance.
However, this system may sometimes be forced to utilize the support offered by certain medications. That’s why Cannabidiol can interact with it to promote wellness.
The endocannabinoid system contains CB1 and CB2 receptors which CBD influences. When you consume or apply a product that contains Cannabidiol, ii indirectly interacts with these receptors, enhancing their effectiveness, thereby resulting in a positive effect on the body.
For instance, when Cannabidiol interacts with CB2 receptors, it helps to interact its effectiveness in handling immune response and managing inflammation. On the other hand, when Cannabidiol interacts with CB1 receptors, then it can help to impact their effectiveness in dealing with motor control, memory, and pain issues.
Note: There is still a need for more and extensive research studies to determine how exactly Cannabidiol works in the body. This is because there are some studies that indicate that it binds itself to these receptors while others refute such claims.
Benefits and Uses of CBD
The benefits and uses of Cannabidiol are linked to its numerous potential roles in easing symptoms of various illnesses. Whether it’s severe or simply mild, mental or physical, you can use Cannabidiol as part of your daily wellness regimen. common benefits of CBD and its uses include:
- Easing the symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety
- Treating skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis
- Management cancer tumors as well as the side effects of cancer treatment
- Regulating the level of blood sugar and blood cholesterol
- Treating joint problems such as arthritis
- Managing heart disease and diabetes
- Treating pain and injuries
CBD vs THC: What’s the Difference?
CBD and THC are the most common compounds found in the cannabis plant. But while they might have the same chemical structure, there is a significant difference in the way their atoms are arranged. Besides that, there are still other differences including:
Legality
Cannabidiol from industrial hemp plants is legal federally. However, THC from marijuana plants is legal federally even though there are some states where recreational use of cannabis and THC are legal.
Drug Testing
In most cases, there are no drugs that are usually done to detect Cannabidiol. Drug tests are normally conducted to detect the presence of THC, a psychoactive compound with mind-altering effects.
Uses
CBD is mainly used to treat mental and physical health complications. Its non-psychoactive with a wide range of beneficial properties. meanwhile, THC is mainly used for entertainment due to its mind-altering effects. However, it also has health benefits and can be used in trace amounts with Cannabidiol.
What to Look When Buying CBD Products?
You definitely want to buy the best CBD product on the market. But with the availability of many brands as well as formulations, you need to be extra careful. Besides that, the wide product range can make things quite confusing for you. To successfully make the correct purchase that suits your needs, here are some of the factors you should consider:
The Source of Hemp Plant Extract
Industrial hemp plants are the main raw materials used to extract CBD for sale. However, these plants are bioaccumulators. This means that they usually absorb every element found in their surroundings, including pesticides, herbicides, and other toxic chemicals.
It’s generally recommended that you consider Cannabidiol from domestic farms that are domestically cultivated. This is because the US has strictly hemp cultivation regulations that farmers must adhere to. Additionally, organic cultivation techniques help to reduce the risk of Cannabidiol contamination.
Extraction Method
Due to the lack of a specific regulatory body, it’s up to the manufacturer to employ effective CBD extraction techniques. While there are many methods of Cannabidiol extraction, not all of them lead to the production of high-quality Cannabidiol oil.
Solvent extraction, for instance, is not only cheap but also ineffective in producing pure Cannabidiol extracts. When choosing a cannabidiol product, ensure that the manufacturer uses a high quality and industry-approved method i.e. CO2 extraction.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
This is one of the most critical features that you should be on top of your priority list when buying CBD products. Essentially, this is a certificate with quality control information confirming whether the product contains the appropriate CBD quantities that the manufacturer is claiming.
Besides that, this certificate also highlights the presence of other ingredients. Generally, they provide unbiased and precise information. The best thing about COAs is that they are usually provided by independent 3rd-party laboratories.
CBD’s Potency
Potency matters in determining the effectiveness of the CBD and the type of medical condition you are treating.
Cannabidiol products’ potency is usually calibrated in milligrams (mg). while there is still very little research regarding the appropriate potency, dosage clearly varies depending on the condition and its severity.
For instance, conditions such as insomnia, nausea, and anxiety usually requires a low to moderate dosage of CBD. On the other hand, conditions such as multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and cancer tumors/treatment usually require high/stronger doses of Cannabidiol.
Note: regardless of the potency you choose, ensure that you always start with a lower dose and then gradually increase the amount. This will, you will effectively find the appropriate dose that works for you. Understand that the dosage also varies from person to person.
Types of CBD
Types of CBD depends on the hemp extract used to make it. Generally, there are three types of CBD found in the market:
CBD Isolate
Its sometimes referred to as “true CBD”. Well, Cannabidiol isolate contains more than 99% cannabidiol compound since its solely made out of this plant material.
CBD isolate is the best alternative for users who want to completely avoid THC content. However, its level of effectiveness might not be as high as that of other Cannabidiol types.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
It contains Cannabidiol as well as other cannabinoids and compounds found in the cannabis plant. This includes CBC, CBN, and terpenes. While this type of Cannabidiol doesn’t have THC, it’s still powerful and produces the entourage effect.
Full-Spectrum CBD
This type of CBD is made up of the same compound as broad-spectrum Cannabidiol. However, it also has trace amounts of THC, usually less than 0.3%. Full-spectrum CBD is usually more powerful since it features a combination of THC, Cannabidiol, and other cannabinoids that work synergistically to produce the entourage effect.
Note: broad- and full-spectrum CBD are usually the most ideal for those dealing with chronic conditions.
Type of CBD Product
CBD is highly versatile and that’s why it exists in many forms. You can find it in various products depending on how you want to use it. The most common types of CBD include:
CBD Oils and Tinctures
People normally use CBD oils and tinctures on their own. Besides that, you can also use them with your favorite drinks and food.
CBD Edibles
These are edible products that are made of CBD extracts. They normally include gummies and food drinks as well as food items such as cookies, chocolate, and teas.
CBD Topicals
These are products that are designed for topical application on the skin. They are ideal for those who what to experienced localized effects of CBD on a specific body part. Topical Cannabidiol products include lotions, creams, oils, and balms.
Dosage of CBD
How much CBD should you take? Well, there is no specific answer to this question since there aren’t universal dosage recommendations for cannabidiol products. the ideal dose varies from one person to the next and it depends on a wide range of factors, including:
- Your weight/size
- Your body’s CBD tolerance
- The severity of your medical condition
- Your body chemistry
- The potency and form of Cannabidiol product you are using i.e., gummies, tinctures, or capsules?
In most cases, weight is the most commonly used determinant to determine the appropriate dosage. Here is a table chart that highlights the relationship between CBD dose and weight.
| Weight | Condition Severity | ||
| Mild Symptoms | Moderate Symptoms | Heavy Symptoms | |
| 100 lbs. (45 kg) | 10 mg | 30 mg | 60 mg |
| 125 lbs. (57 kg) | 13 mg | 38 mg | 75 mg |
| 150 lbs. (68 kg) | 15 mg | 45 mg | 90 mg |
| 175 lbs. (79 kg) | 17 mg | 52 mg | 105 mg |
| 200 lbs. (91 kg) | 20 mg | 60 mg | 120 mg |
| 225 lbs. (102 kg) | 22 mg | 67 mg | 135 mg |
| 250 lbs. (113 kg) | 25 mg | 75 mg | 150 mg |
Based on the type of medical condition you are treating, here is a brief overview of the recommended dose.
CBD for Anxiety
Generally, its recommended that those suffering from anxiety as well as chronic stress should use low-moderate dosage. This is because anxiety is a mental disease and people with this disorder need to be sensitive about how they use CBD. In fact, it’s usually recommended that they start with the smallest dosage possible.
You can take your favorite Cannabidiol product for anxiety once or twice daily. For Example, you can choose CBD Oil which are good for your Anxiety and Depression. Besides that, there are some people who often take the “booster dose” 30 minutes or an hour before they engage in activities or go to places that trigger their anxiety.
CBD for Sleep
You also need to consume low to moderate dosage. Don’t start with a heavy dose in order to sleep deeply since you might end up feeling groggy throughout the day.
The best starting dose is usually about 5 mg – 10 mg. on the higher side, you should take 20 mg-25 mg of CBD per serving for you to enjoy a more potent sedative effect.
But the dosage also depends on the product you choose. For instance, some Cannabidiol gummies for sleep are usually made with melatonin, a plant-based sleep aid. So, a smaller dosage of CBD, in this case, would still be highly effective.
CBD for Pain
Daily and low pain sources such as muscle sores after a workout need a low-moderate CBD dose. However, those who are dealing with severe pain such as nerve pain and chronic arthritis need stronger doses.
It’s also worth noting that a heavy dose of Cannabidiol would apply for those who want to manage their cancer pain and multiple sclerosis.
When it comes to CBD for pain, It is Best to use CBD Cream.
Recommended CBD Dosage by Condition
- Anxiety: low to high
- Arthritis: medium to high
- Chronic pain: medium to high
- Cancer: high strength or pharmaceutical-grade CBD
- Epilepsy: high strength to pharmaceutical-grade
- Colitis and inflammatory bowel disease: medium to high strength
- Nausea: low to moderate
- PMS syndrome: low to high strength
- Muscle recovery: low to medium strength
- Insomnia: low to high strength
- General health: low strength
Side effects of CBD
Even though CBD is an organic plant extract that’s well-tolerated, it can still result in unwanted side effects. But of the downsides are usually a result of unreliability of the product’s purity s well as using the appropriate dosage. Common side effects of CBD include:
Dry Mouth/ Cottonmouth Effect
When you take CBD orally, this compound ends up interacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. The resulting effect is a significant drop in the production of saliva, causing a dry mouth effect. To avoid this, it’s advisable that you drink sufficient amounts of water throughout the day.
Diarrhea
This is a digestive effect that mostly occurs when you take a Cannabidiol product in higher doses. While cannabidiol itself may not the cause of diarrhea, this side effect usually occurs as a result of consuming excess carrier oils such as MCT. You can avoid diarrhea by ensuring that you strictly use CBD-based products within the stipulated dose range.
Drowsiness
It’s a common side effect that’s sometimes associated with the benefit of cannabidiol in promoting sleep. It’s worth noting that CBD has sedative effects that may result in drowsiness. So, if you are intending to drive or handle a heavy machine, you should refrain from consuming Cannabidiol products.
Nausea
In some cases, those who consume Cannabidiol orally may end up experiencing the feeling of nausea. Well, this side effect usually depends on how sensitive a person is to Cannabidiol. Besides that, it also depends on the CBD dosage they ingest.
Just like diarrhea, nausea usually happens as a result of gastrointestinal distress that’s triggered by other ingredients found in CBD-based products. additionally, it could be a result of product contamination during the extraction process.
Drug Interactions
CBD can potentially interfere with the effectiveness of other medications you could be using. Note that many drugs are usually broken by the enzymes found in the liver. CBD compound, on the other hand, is usually broken down in the liver.
So, if you are taking a medication and also using a cannabidiol product, the potential of drug interaction is too high. When this occurs, you might end up with excess or reduced presence of the drug in your body. This is because it alters the concentration and this means that the medication may fail to work effectively.
Is CBD Legal?
Cannabidiol is legal, federally. After the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill into law in December 2018, CBD and related products extracted from industrial hemp plants were no longer categorized as schedule I drugs.
However, there is a catch. The CBD product needs to have less than 0.3% THC. Besides that, the extract shouldn’t be from the marijuana plant which normally has high THC content. It’s also important for you to understand that different states have different cannabis laws.
The Bottom Line
CBD is an organic chemical compound from the cannabis plant. It is currently the go-to remedy for people who want to use alternative medicine to improve their wellness. It works naturally and effectively to support mental wellbeing while improving physical aspects of the body.
While there are many brands that manufacture CBD products, always exercise caution when making purchases. This is because there isn’t a specific regulatory body tasked with the monitoring of the manufacturing and quality control of Cannabidiol products. It’s also important that you talk to your doctor first before using CBD products. This way, you will be able to avoid unwanted side effects.