The usage of the word CBD, or cannabinol, is new. However, the compound’s application dates back to 2000 years. That’s when it was first used as part of funeral rituals by an ancient Siberian tribe. Like incense, they would vaporize hemp seeds to waft smoke from patterned dishes.
Hemp belongs to the class of Cannabis Sativa plants that is rich in CBD.
You shouldn’t mix hemp with marijuana. The two are different. While hemp is rich in CBD, marijuana has high concentrations of THC, another cannabinoid that’s known for causing a high.
Many studies have explored the potential benefits of CBD, and the results have been quite promising. From relieving anxiety to combating depression, CBD has been touted for treating various conditions. There is also evidence to suggest that it improves bone health. This is significant, especially for patients living with degenerative bone diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.
What is CBD? Is It Safe?
Cannabidiol is a compound primarily extracted from the hemp plant. Unlike its other popular cousin, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, it’s non-psychoactive. THC is illegal in many states beyond a certain threshold because of this reason.
On the other hand, CBD has an excellent safety profile. Except for some mild side effects, such as dry mouth, no serious adverse effects have been reported. However, it would help if you kept in mind the compound’s interaction with other drugs or medications.
CBD is thought to interact with 60% of the medications available on the market. This is because it interferes in the Cytochrome CYP450 system, a major player in drug metabolism.
You should especially take care if you’re on meds that come with a grapefruit warning, such as blood thinners and NSAIDs.
While existing research suggests that CBD may help with bone loss, you should practice caution and consult your doctor first. This is important to make sure you don’t expose yourself to some unwanted complications.
CBD Oil May Increase Bone Density and Reduce Bone Loss
There’s a treasure trove of data to suggest that the endocannabinoid system may help with bone metabolism.
The endocannabinoid system is a vast network of cell-signaling receptors that regulate critical functions, such as mood, sleep, and inflammation. This system produces its own army of natural compounds called endocannabinoids that trigger its receptors and contribute to its overall functioning.
However, sometimes the endocannabinoid supply gets disrupted. In this situation, you can take phytocannabinoids, such as CBD, from external sources that mimic the functions of endocannabinoids.
Because CBD can tap into the endocannabinoid system, it may help promote bone health. The evidence so far is based on animal models. This is preclinical data, and therefore inconclusive, and largely inadmissible in the grand scheme of things.
However, as we move on to clinical trials, the picture will become clearer. That said, animal studies can help us steer in the right direction. Scientists can use them as a yardstick for human clinical trials.
But How Would This Work?
The endocannabinoid system has two main receptors: CB1 and CB2. These receptors have strong ties to bone cells, including your bone clearing and building cells — osteoclasts and osteoblasts, respectively.
Studies show that inhibition of CB1 and CB2 receptors prevents bone loss. Lab mice who had these channels blocked with CBD reported an increase in bone mass.
Researchers are hopeful that they use these findings to devise new anti-bone resorptive medications and therapies. But, this poses certain challenges.
First, the blockage of CB1 and CB2, though at one hand may slow bone loss, on the other hand, it may also inhibit bone formation. This is because the receptors are present on both your bone-building and bone-clearing cells.
And because bone formation takes longer than bone metabolism, the scales would tip in favor of bone loss over time and cause complications.
However, there’s a third cannabinoid receptor called GPR55 that may provide a solution. One study showed that this receptor’s blockage in adult male mice increases bone mass while not causing any interference in bone formation mechanisms. As CBD can interact with these receptors, it could increase bone density in vulnerable individuals.
Is CBD Legal In The United States?
Yes.
And this is the foremost reason why CBD is becoming so mainstream. If you’re still unsure about CBD” s legality, here are some facts to clear the air.
In the United States, CBD is legal at the federal level, as long as it’s derived from hemp and doesn’t contain more than .3% THC. As we’ve already mentioned, THC is a psychoactive drug, and therefore, illegal for medicinal use or otherwise.
At the state level, the story is a bit different. Most state laws haven’t made amendments to stay consistent with federal regulations, which has created confusion. Most states still confuse CBD with marijuana and hesitate to legalize the compound.
What’s more, is that CBD is only legal as a health supplement. The FDA hasn’t given companies the green light to advertise the compound as a medication or drug. This means that the addition of CBD to food products is against the law. And yet, in several states, you’ll find a lot of CBD-infused edibles, such as candies and gummy bears.
So, the answer isn’t as straightforward. In fact, it’s wrinkled and messy. To make sure you’re not landing yourself in legal trouble, check your individual state laws because they matter.
Final Thoughts On CBD for Bone Health
CBD has a whole host of therapeutic benefits. But the compound’s science is still in its early stages. Most of the data we have is derived from animal studies.
It would help if you didn’t take it as something set in stone. That said, if you want to use CBD to prevent bone degeneration or promote bone health as part of a holistic regime, then deploy best CBD practices. For instance, start with low doses. Trial and error will help you find the right concentration your body needs to heal.
Also, choose the delivery system carefully. A topical application of CBD will work great for localized treatments, such as joint pains and ligament damage, but it won’t do any good for internal injuries and issues.
