There is a possible alternative to prescription and over the counter medications. The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp-derived products, including CBD legal to purchase. CBD has a host of potential benefits, including promoting a feeling of calm and inducing sleep. Here we will take a look at exactly what CBD is and its many benefits.
CBD Overview
Marijuana has been used for millennia for its healing properties. It has been known that it helps with anxiety, depression, pain, addiction, and insomnia. There are two primary compounds, known as cannabinoids, that are found in cannabis. The first of these is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. It produces the psychoactive “high” that most people feel when they ingest marijuana. The other primary compound is cannabidiol, or CBD. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a “high” and can even combat some of the psychoactive effects of THC.
CBD has been found to be effective to treat a variety of conditions and ailments. Because CBD is now legal in all states, you can find relief without having to have a medical marijuana card or live in a state where recreational marijuana is legal. CBD is available in a number of forms, including dry flower for use in a dry herb vaporizer as well as concentrated oils, edibles, and drinks.
CBD for Depression and Anxiety
CBD interacts with the brain’s serotonin receptors. Current research indicates that CBD can reduce both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. Research also indicates that CBD can also help protect the neurons in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is shown to atrophy in people with depression.
CBD for Pain
Whether or not CBD will help with pain will depend on the type of pain and the underlying condition behind the pain. For example, the acute pain of banging your elbow or stubbing your toe may not benefit from CBD. However, nerve pain can be treated by CBD like a dream. Inflammation can also bring on pain, and CBD has been shown to help in the reduction of inflammation throughout the body.
CBD works for pain by inhibiting the release of glutamate and other inflammatory agents, making it an ideal treatment. Almost all pain with inflammation as the root cause can benefit from CBD use.
CBD for Sleep
While CBD may not exactly make you tired, since it can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, it may promote a feeling of calmness that can make getting to sleep easier. However, studies indicate that for best results when it comes to sleep, you will want a product that contains some THC.
THC has been shown to reduce the amount of REM sleep you experience. For those with PTSD, this can mean a reduction of nightmares. It can also mean an increased amount of time in deep sleep, which is the most restorative phase of the sleep cycle.
However, REM sleep is vital to healthy cognitive and immune function. Cannabis with high THC levels could impair your sleep quality. For this reason, you will probably want a product that contains a higher ratio of CBD to THC.
CBD Products You Can Use
From capsules to gummies, CBD comes in a variety of forms. Some methods of ingestion may work better for you than others, and that can require some experimentation.
- Edibles – CBD is being infused in a variety of edible products. You can find it being sold in the form of gummy candies, lollipops, baked goods, chocolate, and even infused into teas and coffees.
- Topicals – CBD is now being integrated into everything from moisturizers to pain-relieving salves and Epsom salts. These topical products are best for spot treatment of localized pain.
- Dry Herbs and Concentrates – CBD oil is available for use in portable vaporizers in the form of oils that can be added to a vape pen or mod as well as dry flower for use in a dry herb vaporizer.
- Tinctures – CBD can also be found as a tincture, which is placed under the tongue where it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Capsules – CBD is also available in capsule form for those who prefer it.
Possible Side Effects of CBD
For the most part, CBD is well tolerated in healthy adults. Side effects are rare and most have been noted in patients taking the prescription CBD drug Epidolex for epilepsy. These side effects include somnolence or a feeling of sleepiness. Diarrhea was also a reported side effect in 10% of patients taking Epidolex but has not been reported with the use of other forms of CBD.
Another reported side effect are changes in appetite and weight. It is mainly seen in patients taking Epidolex and a reported 16% of patients experienced a reduction in appetite.
Things to Consider When You Decide to Use CBD
If you are new to cannabis use, a marijuana introductory product via CBD which may be beneficial. If you find that your symptoms are alleviated through the use of CBD, there may be no need to seek out cannabis containing THC. Another thing to consider is any other medications that you may be taking, including supplements.
CBD may increase or reduce the effectiveness and the amount of certain medications within the body, so always speak with your doctor or certified medical professional before adding CBD as a part of your routine.
CBD is all the rage right now when it comes to health care and the holistic healing industry. CBD may prove to be beneficial to you, but it may take some experimentation to find the right dose and product. Take care to research a product before buying – many less than reputable suppliers will claim a product has more CBD than it actually does. Always buy from a reputable source that can provide test results for the amount of CBD and also is willing to share where their CBD is sourced.
