CBD Oil: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions
CBD Oil: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions
Table of Contents
Over the last few years, there has been a lot of buzz about organic CBD oil and its possible uses. The whole marijuana or hemp plant has been receiving increased attention.
Hemp is useful in everything from concrete to medical treatments! While the federal government still has not legalized marijuana on a national scale, they have turned a blind eye to states that have decided to legalize the plant on their own.
This has allowed for a huge burst in research into the abilities of hemp, especially in the medical field. CBD oil is a medical advancement that has a wide range of applications, with minimal side effects.
While studies are still ongoing about all of the possible effects of the substance, the research looks to be extremely promising when it comes to dealing with many chronic health issues.
What’s the Difference Between Marijuana and Hemp?
The marijuana plant has been around for centuries and has been utilized by different cultures around the world for a variety of uses. The plant is sought after for both its psychoactive properties and the strong fibers that it produces.
Scientifically, there is no difference between the actual species of the hemp plant and the marijuana plant. The key distinction between the two is the amount of THC present in the plant. THC levels make up the legal difference between hemp and marijuana.
If a state has legalized hemp, but not marijuana, all of the plants within the state must keep their THC levels low, or they will be destroyed and the growers prosecuted. In the rest of this article, plants that have notable levels of THC will be referred to as marijuana, while plants that have low amounts of THC will be referred to as hemp.
Marijuana is best known for its ability to get you high. There are two main strains of marijuana, known as Sativa and Indica. Each strain has its own properties that affect the way that you feel when you absorb the THC of the plant into your system. Marijuana is also known as cannabis. Marijuana plants have more than 0.3% THC. Products from marijuana typically have both THC and CBD.
“Hemp” specifically means plants that have 0.3% or less THC. This is not enough THC to affect the brain. You will not get high from smoking hemp. Despite this, there is still somewhat of a stigma against hemp in certain areas because it is genetically identical to marijuana. Nevertheless, hemp is still very useful. It can be used to make clothing, concrete, ropes, and other useful items. CBD products can be made from hemp as well since they do not require any levels of THC.
What’s the Difference Between THC and CBD?
When discussing products derived from hemp or marijuana, you may come across the terms THC and CBD. These two substances are both presents in mature marijuana plants, but they are not the same compound. The effects of THC and the effects of CBD on the human body are very different.
THC is the component in marijuana that gets you “high.” The full name of THC is tetrahydrocannabinol. This compound creates psychoactive effects when it is absorbed into the human body. The categorization of a plant as either hemp or marijuana is based on the amount of THC within the plant. In states where marijuana is outlawed, THC products are outlawed as well.
Recently, there have been some medical discoveries involving THC. It has been used in a mouth spray that alleviates the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and other conditions. However, most medical treatments that are derived from marijuana plants tend to avoid THC in their ingredients.
CBD is the other main compound of note in marijuana. Also known as cannabidiol, this substance has been the base component of multiple new medical advances. It is derived from the Sativa strain of marijuana plants. CBD differs from THC in that it will not get you high. It may come from the same plant, but the chemical compound has no psychoactive properties.
However, it still shows amazing effects on a variety of conditions that make CBD a valuable medical resource for many. The fact that CBD does not make its user feel sedated or change their consciousness is a big plus for many medical professionals. While it is unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery when under the effects of THC, CBD will not affect your cognitive abilities this way.
Organic Hemp Oil Effects on Illness
Organic Hemp Oil seems like it is just another plant derivative. Does it have any kind of effect on medical issues? Well, the answer may surprise you. CBD has been added to oils, sprays, lotions, and oral supplements. In these different forms, it has been shown to positively affect the health of test subjects suffering from a huge range of health conditions, many of which are difficult to treat with traditional medicines.
Mental Health
Mental health has received more attention in recent times than ever before. Therapy, psychological medicines, and other treatments are being talked about more. While there is still work to be done before the stigma of seeking help for the mind is completely eliminated, the medical advancements that are occurring every day move us closer to treating mental health issues. CBD oil is a substance that has been shown to help patients suffering from mental health issues, especially anxiety and depression.
Studies conducted on anxiety (which were based around events such as public speaking) showed that adults who take CBD oil have lower anxiety than typical. Long-term treatment also showed the same effects. Test subjects who routinely took the oil reported lower anxiety scores in general. However, it should be noted that the exact dosage that should be prescribed for anxiety is still being fine-tuned. While it is known that CBD helps anxiety, medical professionals are still unsure what the best amount of the substance is to treat this condition.
Depression is another extremely common mental health issue. Unfortunately, depression also carries with it the serious risk of self-harm in extreme cases. CBD has also shown promise in treating this issue. It affects the serotonin levels in the brain, which help regulate mood. Combined with the calming, anti-stress effect of CBD that treats anxiety, this can make a large difference in a patient’s mood and general wellbeing. This does require more studies to hone in on the exact dosage and effects for test subjects with depression, but CBD shows a lot of promise in this arena.
One of the main appeals of CBD oil is its comparison to the alternative. Patients with mental health problems will often be prescribed medication that causes serious side effects, though it may help their condition. CBD oil does not run the same risks as potent psychological medications.
Sleeping Issues
CBD has been added to some sleeping medications. It has been shown to assist with test subjects falling asleep and having more restful nights. This is less of a targeted condition when it comes to CBD, but instead a side effect of the CBD managing pain or de-stressing patients. No negative effects on sleeping have been found that were linked to taking CBD.
Chronic Pain
The common use of CBD is to treat a patient that is suffering from some form of chronic pain. CBD reduces inflammation, providing much-needed relief for people suffering from arthritis, joint damage, or other issues. This is not limited to one type of pain, as altering the method of CBD application has affected both internal and external pain. Topical CBD treatments can reduce scarring and inflammatory skin diseases, while CBD taken orally relieves stomach pain and neurological issues.
Cancer
While not all cancers are the same, CBD has promising results when used to treat certain kinds of cancer. If a cancer patient is undergoing chemotherapy or other painful treatments, CBD will relieve their pain and nausea. It may also increase the effectiveness of the chemo against cancer itself. CBD has stopped and even destroyed certain cancer cells in a laboratory setting. This field needs more research, but the outlook is positive.
Skin Treatments
CBD applied on the skin has noticeable positive effects. When the body’s sebaceous cells produce too much of a substance called sebum, acne develops. CBD directly counters this process by lowering the overproduction of sebum. CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects help treat redness in acne as well. It can even help alleviate psoriasis or other inflammatory skin problems.
Other Benefits
The strongest benefits of CBD oil can provide relief for many people that suffer from chronic medical conditions. CBD has routinely proven its effectiveness with anti-inflammation and stress relief. These effects translate into lower blood pressure, decreased pain levels, relief from nausea, and other health problems.
Why Use CBD Oil?
While CBD oil has a laundry list of benefits, you may still be wondering why it is superior to anything else on the market. The CBD market is a very valuable industry that is still continuously growing and creating new products. The full effects of this compound have not been completely explored, but what has known means that it is a very effective compound.
The current drugs on the market can be potentially dangerous. America is facing an opioid epidemic brought about by over-prescribing and addiction. Opioids can cause permanent liver damage, as well as neurological issues if they are used for a long time. On the other hand, CBD has not been shown to have these harmful side effects. Instead, it provides similar pain relief with little risk to the user.
CBD is a natural treatment that appeals to many people who are concerned about putting artificial compounds in their bodies. While it is true that some CBD products may contain the same chemicals as other medicine, you can also search out organic CBD. Organic CBD oil is available from certain online retailers and provides a healthier and more natural alternative to other treatments.
You should always speak with your doctor before changing your supplements or medications. Do not stop a medication to replace it immediately with CBD oil unless instructed to do so.
CBD oil can also be cheaper than other medicines. Depending on your source, you can get high-quality organic CBD oil for relatively little money. The potential benefits of this product mean that often it makes much more financial sense to buy CBD than it does to miss out.
Potential Side Effects of CBD
You should always research the potential side effects of any medication that you are considering. By informing yourself about all aspects of medical treatments, you will be able to understand exactly how these medicines treat your body and mind, and what to look for before damage is done.
Like everything else, the dosage of CBD determines its effectiveness. This also determines what potential risks may come from consuming CBD oil. It is important to note that these side effects are only encountered when test subjects consumed a huge amount of CBD oil in a short time. Studies that report side effects of CBD often run their experiments by force-feeding mice CBD until symptoms are noticed. This means that these side effects are not usually encountered by typical human users of CBD oil.
Some side effects that may arise from CBD oil include:
- Nausea
- Mood changes
- Liver damage
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea
If you are already taking medication, always consult a medical professional before taking CBD oil. Your medication may have potential interactions with the compound.
CBD Regulation
Because marijuana is not federally legalized, the FDA does not regulate CBD products. This means that you run the risk of purchasing a lower-quality product if you do not do your research. Only buy from companies that are open and honest about where their plants come from and where they are processed. You should also stick to 100% organic CBD oil, so no pesticides or other additives contaminate the product.