CBD stands for Cannabidiol and is derived from a class of plants typically called hemp or cannabis.
Despite popular opinion, CBD is not a psychoactive compound .i.e. it does not cause a high. Moreover, CBD’s primary use is not recreational. From helping with anxiety to being one of the only treatments for epileptic disorders for children, CBD is thought to provide a host of medical benefits.
However, before using CBD, for medicinal purposes or otherwise, you need to understand several things surrounding CBD usage, legality, and science. Below is a comprehensive guide to nudge you in the right direction.
Different Types Of CBD?
CBD is commercially available in a variety of forms. While they all contain CBD, their effects vary.
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CBD Oils and Tinctures:
CBD oils and tinctures are famous for their bioavailability. They are readily absorbed in the bloodstream, allowing for rapid results. You can take CBD oils orally through a dropper. This ingestion method is effective for someone who’s not comfortable with taking pills (dysphagia).
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CBD Capsules and Pills:
CBD users often take CBD capsules or tablets before sleeping to treat insomnia, seizures, and digestive issues. However, CBD capsule/tablet formulation takes longer to show effects than CBD oils and tinctures.
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CBD Creams and Lotions:
Creams infused with CBD are used to treat muscle pain. Some people have also seen promising results in treating skin issues, such as rosacea and acne. However, the scientific evidence on this is scarce.
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CBD Edibles:
From CBD gummies to cookies, beer and even chocolates, CBD edibles are quite commonplace in different recipes.
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CBD Vaping:
If you need a fast route to CBD absorption, vaporized CBD oil is your best call. However, you have to be careful. Many individuals have experienced respiratory failure after using CBD vapes adulterated with CBD products.
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What are the Benefits of CBD?
The scientific research on CBD’s medical uses is still ongoing. As of now, only one FDA-regulated CBD product is available — Epidiolex. Epidiolex is used to treat two life-threatening forms of epilepsy (Lennox –Gastaut and Dravet syndrome) in children.
Despite the lack of ample scientific evidence on cannabis’s medical boons, anecdotal evidence is vast and sundry. Many people have seen improvements treating insomnia, anxiety, spinal problems, and even cancer, with CBD infused products.
While CBD may not cause a high, it does have other effects on your mind. Depending upon the dosage, CBD may help with energy and alertness. CBD has also shown to regulate mood by easing anxiety and picking up spirits.
To understand the overall effects of CBD on the human body, mentioning the endocannabinoid system is worthwhile.
Endocannabinoid system is responsible for the regulation of various functions throughout the human body. As CBD and the endocannabinoid system share a common pathway, CBD is therefore linked to a whole host of health benefits . Some of which include:
- Anticonvulsant/Antidepressant
- Anti-anxiety
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Anti-nausea
- Pain relief
- Stress relief
Keep in mind though that factual scientific data has not corroborated most of these effects. This evidence is primarily based on animal models. A lot more is yet to be explored when it comes to CBD science.
Moreover, CBD effects vary from one person to the other. While CBD may produce potent results on one individual, it might not work as effectively on others.
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Will CBD Induce a High?
Two of the most predominant compounds in cannabis are THC and CBD. Both have varying effects on the human mind.
CBD doesn’t have any of THC’s psychoactive properties and therefore doesn’t induce a high. In contrast, THC is psychoactive and can cause mild to severe neurological effects. Patients with underlying conditions, such as schizophrenia, should specifically be mindful of THC concentrations in their cannabis products.
Some products have been known to contain both THC and CBD due to mislabeling and other discrepancies.
According to research by the FDA and Journal Epilepsy and behaviour, cannabis producers are restricted to keep THC amounts to below .3%. However, some studies published in JAMA suggest that these limits are often exceeded. In fact, many CBD products have shown to contain dangerous concentrations of THC — even enough to impair users.
Children should especially be heedful because of their low tolerance for such products. Due to cannabis’s booming demand, authorities are unable to track CBD production, which has caused an enormous increase in unregulated CBD products.
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Will CBD Interact with Medications?
As with other substances, CBD can interact with medications.
CBD, when coupled with pharmaceutical drugs, can interfere with detoxification and other physiological functions. If you’re taking medications, such as painkillers and blood thinners, you should seek medical advice before CBD use.
The National Institute of Health states that CBD can have a significant impact on the way drugs are processed in your body. Medications like antidepressants, potent pain-killers and hormonal treatments are especially a dangerous concoction, so make sure you’re talking to your doctor when you’re on these meds.
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Will CBD Cause Drug Test Failures?
Employers employ a five-panel urine assay for drug testing. This doesn’t identify CBD. You’ll only have to worry if you’ve taken a cannabis product with high levels of THC in its ingredients. Make sure you’re buying products with “pure CBD” to prevent drug test failures.
Some CBD products have trace amounts of THC, which might show up in a drug test. Your best bet is a CBD isolate, which is entirely devoid of THC metabolites.
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Is CBD Legal?
Understanding CBD’s legal status isn’t that straightforward.
Hemp-derived CBD is legal in the US because it doesn’t contain levels of THC high enough to produce psychoactive effects. CBD derived from other cannabis sources is permitted legally in certain states; however, it’s still illegal at the federal government level.
Make sure you check with your state and national drug regulatory authorities to know for sure.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about using CBC to treat an underlying condition or for some other purpose, you need to understand the stakes involved. CBD can cause certain side effects when administered without medical supervision. CBD dosage is also a big question mark. Moreover, if you’re already taking medications, you need to sit down with your doctor and make sure CBD usage won’t produce any unwanted adverse reactions in your body.
