In the not too distant past, CBD (cannabidiol) was considered the younger, less sophisticated sibling of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). However, those days are long gone as CBD has developed a massive following of people who swear by the chemical’s ability to reduce anxiety, reduce pain, relieve insomnia, treat seizures and far more. In this article, we will discover some of the things that CBD can help with.
CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis and hemp plants. However, unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects. There are several ways to use it: smoke it, drink it/eat it, rub it on your skin, or drop it under your tongue. That said, no matter which form you choose, CBD will not get you high.
It is important to note that much of the research into what CBD does is still in the pre-clinical phase and more research is needed, early results indicate that it offers therapeutic benefits when used daily for approximately 30 days.
To help you determine whether you should consider CBD, here’s what current research shows. However, if you want to treat your medical condition with CBD, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor. After all, a quality CBD product doesn’t come cheap, and a professional can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Potential uses of CBD
Next, we’ll explore several potential uses for CBD. Hopefully, this can help you learn what CBD can help with.
CBD for Anxiety: Can It Really Help You Calm Down?
You’ve likely noticed that there seem to be many CBD products on the market that claim to relieve anxiety. You’ve probably wondered if there’s any truth to it or if it’s all just a bunch of hype. There isn’t a lot of research at this point, but based on a review of 49 small preclinical studies, it appears that CBD helps manage anxiety.
However, the question of how much should be taken and for how long is still debated. Many studies indicate that it must be taken daily for several weeks to show any effect. For example, a 2019 study indicated that 25 milligrams daily for a period of about 30 days worked best for most participants.
CBD for Pain: What Kind of Pain Can CBD Treat?
When you hear CBD being used for pain relief, it’s usually referring to chronic pain. This means that the pain has been felt daily for at least 3 months. Chronic pain is usually more common in older populations, but there are certain conditions such as muscle injuries, endometriosis, and IBD that could be responsible for chronic pain in younger populations.
Again, although the research is still fairly new, there is some indication that taking 25 milligrams of CBD every day for at least 2 weeks helps relieve body and nerve pain. That said, there are also some indications that it seems to work best when paired with 27 milligrams of THC. Research also indicates that this same dose is effective in the long term, so you don’t need to keep increasing the dose to get the effects.
CBD For Insomnia: Can It Really Help You Get More High-Quality Sleep?
You probably don’t need to be reminded of the importance of sleep when it comes to living your best life. Over the years, CBD has gotten a lot of attention when it comes to sleep. Research on this topic has been mixed. However, studies have indicated that it can help with REM sleep and may decrease nightmares in people with PTSD, as well as help people with chronic pain sleep better.
Again, don’t expect miracles. The effects will not occur immediately. In most research studies, a dose of 25 to 175 milligrams per day for a period of about 3 months was indicated to be most effective. Since there’s a big difference between 25 milligrams and 175 milligrams, it’s best to start low and work your way up if you don’t feel a change. Be sure to give it about a week for your body to adjust to the new dose.
CBD for Skin Care: Is This the Next Big Thing?
What happens when you combine fanatical skincare marketing with an already popular ingredient like CBD? You end up making a lot of promises with little or no evidence to back them up. Of course, that doesn’t mean CBD can’t help your skin, but before you jump on the CBD bandwagon, you might want to consider other less expensive skin care products.
The area of skin care that has the best CBD research is acne. A 2014 study had researchers apply CBD to tissue/cell samples. CBD reduced oil production and offered some anti-inflammatory effects, which is a factor involved in acne formation. A 2016 study supported the findings that the anti-inflammatory properties associated with CBD could be helpful for skin conditions.
That said, it’s important to understand that none of these involved applying CBD directly to human skin. So expect more studies in the future.
CBD for Cancer: Can It Kill Cancer Cells?
When it comes to animal studies and test tube studies, yes, CBD can kill cancer cells, which is interesting to consider. However, it is too early to claim that CBD is a cure for cancer. The research that has been done, such as this 2007 study and this 2011 study on CBD and breast cancer are still fairly new and more research is required to confirm these findings.
CBD for Seizures: What’s Best for Treating
By now, with all these “maybes” associated with CBD, you’re probably wondering if research has revealed anything definitive in terms of medical use. The answer is yes. CBD, more specifically, a drug known as Epidiolex has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of seizures. This is a nasal spray with equal parts CBD and THC. A 2019 study indicated that this drug substantially reduced seizures in most participants.
If you are interested in using CBD to treat your seizures, or know someone who is, be sure to check with a doctor. Most of the time, for best results, CBD is combined with other medications.
Is CBD legal?
Since CBD comes from the cannabis plant, there’s a big question in the back of everyone’s mind: Is it legal? Unfortunately, this is where it gets a little complicated.
Basically, CBD products can have up to 0.3% THC and still be legal at the federal level, but illegal at the state level. So, if you live in one of the states where recreational cannabis is legal, you can buy it anywhere that sells it without a problem.
If you are unsure of the specific laws in your state, click here for more information.
Another issue that often comes up is whether or not CBD will make you test positive on a drug screen. In most cases, you should be perfectly fine. However, it is also important to note that cross-contamination can occur, and due to the fact that these products are not regulated by the FDA, you may not be able to rely on the dosage/potency listed on the label.
Is CBD safe?
According to current research, it is difficult to overdose on CBD. For example, one study indicated that 1500 milligrams per day is safe for humans. This is much higher than most of the doses mentioned in this article.
Of course, it’s important to note that there are some potential negative side effects, such as changes in appetite, diarrhea, and fatigue. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid CBD if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as there isn’t enough research to determine its safety in developing fetuses or growing babies.
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