Cannabidiol (CBD) has been in the media a lot, and you might see it promoted as a booster to add to your post-workout smoothie or morning coffee. You can also buy sports bras with CBD in them. But what exactly is CBD? And why is it so popular?
How is cannabidiol different from marijuana, hemp, and hemp?
CBD (cannabidiol) is the second most popular active ingredient in cannabis (marijuana). CBD, an essential ingredient in medical cannabis, is either extracted directly from the hemp plant, a relative of cannabis, or manufactured in a laboratory. CBD, one of the hundreds of components in marijuana, does not cause a high on its own.
According to a World Health Organization report, “In humans, CBD shows no effects indicating the potential for abuse or dependence. … To date, there is no evidence of public health-related issues associated with the use of pure CBD.” ” A recent study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology concluded that “acute CBD alone is unlikely to significantly impair daily or workplace performance.”
Is cannabidiol legal?
Although CBD is readily available in most parts of the United States, its exact legal status is in flux. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restrictions. In December 2015, the FDA relaxed regulatory requirements to allow researchers to conduct CBD testing. In 2018, the Farm Bill legalized hemp in the United States, making it virtually impossible to keep CBD illegal. This would be like making oranges legal but leaving orange juice illegal.
The Farm Bill removed all cannabis-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, which criminalizes drug possession. Essentially, this means that CBD is legal if it comes from hemp, but not if it comes from cannabis (marijuana), even though they are the exact same molecule. Many people are now obtaining CBD online without a medical cannabis license, which is legal in most states.
Evidence of the health benefits of cannabidiol
While CBD has been touted for a variety of health issues, the strongest scientific evidence is that it is effective against some of the most brutal childhood epilepsy syndromes to which it typically does not respond, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). The effectiveness of CBD in treatment. Effective against antiepileptic drugs. In many studies, CBD has been able to reduce the number of seizures and, in some cases, stop them altogether. Epidiolex, primarily composed of CBD, is the first cannabis-derived medicine approved by the FDA for these conditions.
Animal studies, as well as human self-reports or research, suggest that CBD may also help:
Anxiety: Research and clinical trials have investigated common reports that CBD can reduce anxiety. Insomnia: Research shows that CBD can help you both fall asleep and stay asleep, and in part can help address chronic pain and anxiety. Chronic pain: A growing number of human studies substantiate claims that CBD helps control pain. An animal study in the European Journal of Pain suggests that CBD may reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis when applied to the skin. Other studies have identified how CBD suppresses difficult-to-treat inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Addiction: Several human studies have shown that CBD can help reduce cravings for cigarettes and heroin under certain conditions. Animal models of addiction suggest that it may also help reduce cravings for other addictive substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, opiates, and stimulants.
Is CBD safe?
Side effects of CBD can include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. CBD can increase the concentration of drugs in the blood by competing with blood-thinning drugs and liver enzymes that break down other drugs. Grapefruit has similar effects to certain medicines. This interaction is especially important if you are taking blood thinners, antiepileptic drugs, or immunosuppressants, all of which require stable blood levels.
People taking high doses of CBD may show abnormalities in liver-related blood tests. Many nonprescription drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have this same effect. You should let your doctor know if you use CBD regularly and have your liver enzymes checked regularly.
A significant concern regarding the safety of CBD is that it is primarily marketed and sold as a supplement rather than a medicine. Currently, the FDA does not regulate the safety and purity of dietary supplements, and in fact no one regulates the CBD market. Therefore, you cannot be sure that the product you purchase contains the amount of active ingredient stated on the label.
Products may also contain other unknown elements. When purchasing CBD, it is safest to ensure that there is independent laboratory testing evidenced by the COA (Certificate of Analysis) that is attached to all CBD products.
How can I take CBD?
CBD comes in many forms, including oils, tinctures, capsules, patches, e-cigarettes, and topical preparations for use on the skin. If you're looking to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle and joint pain, topical CBD-infused oils, lotions, creams, and even bath bombs may be your best option. Alternatively, CBC patches, tinctures, and sprays designed to be placed under the tongue allow CBD to enter the bloodstream directly. Doctors do not recommend smoking containing CBD.
Outside the United States, the prescription drug Sativex, which uses CBD as an active ingredient, is approved to treat muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis and cancer pain. In the United States, Epidiolex is approved for certain types of epilepsy and tuberous sclerosis.
Cannabidiol essentials
Some CBD manufacturers have come under government scrutiny for making wild and indefensible claims like CBD is a panacea for cancer and COVID-19. However, this is actually not the case. Although more research is needed, CBD has been shown to help manage anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain, and is a relatively non-toxic option. Without sufficient high-quality evidence from human studies, an effective dose cannot be precisely determined. Additionally, since CBD is currently typically available as an unregulated supplement, it can be difficult to know exactly what you are taking or to conduct research.
If you decide to try CBD, make sure you're getting it from a reliable source. Again, talk to your doctor about using CBD or any other supplement to make sure it won't interfere with any other medications you're taking.
