The rise in popularity of alternative therapy and wellness practices have made CBD commonplace today. Most people are aware of CBD by now. However, if you belong to the section of the population that is still unaware of this trending wellness product, we attempt to fill you in below. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about CBD in this article. Curious? Read on.
What is CBD?
You hear of CBD lattes, chewables and even, facials nowadays! What is CBD and why has it suddenly caught everyone’s attention? We find out.
CBD is an abbreviation for Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is an active chemical ingredient found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. Cannabis Sativa is a strain of marijuana/hemp. Cannabidiol is one of the ingredient responsible for the feelings of calm and wellness when you ingest hemp or marijuana. It has none of the psychoactive properties associated with THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the main ingredient of marijuana, responsible for giving you a “high”. Cannabidiol is largely derived from hemp.
CBD is legal in the US after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. The Bill allows for the legal sale of hemp and hemp products. However, there are restrictions on its sale. Cannabidiol cannot be included into food, as it is a new drug still being researched. It can only be sold as a cosmetic product and only if the THC content in it is less than 0.3%.
How is CBD useful?
Cannabidiol is used primarily in the treatment of seizures in epilepsy, anxiety disorders, for pain relief and other health ailments. Research is still being carried out on the effects it has on our brain. It has an apparent effect on the way our brain registers mood, pain and executes mental function. It is also rumored to be preventative in the breakdown of a chemical in our brain which encourages psychotic symptoms linked to conditions such as schizophrenia. It is believed to work as an anxiety and pain depressor and also counter the pschoactive effects of THC.
It has also been thought to be effective in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. Research conducted has found that using cannabidiol spray under your tongue can improve incidences of muscle tightness and pain, which are common symptoms of this diagnosis.
Early research conducted to study the benefits of using CBD has found that using CBD can help with drug and smoking related withdrawal symptoms. It can also lower the incidences of psychotic symptoms related with Parkinson’s disease.
How Can I Access CBD Legally?
The FDA approved the CBD medication Epidiolex recently. It is the only CBD medication which has been given the go-ahead by the FDA. Epidiolex has been approved for usage by epilepsy patients who struggle with a severe form of the disorder. You need to have a prescription in order to purchase this drug. The recommended initial dosage for Epidiolex is 2.5mg per kg of your body weight, two times a day. The dosage may be doubled after a week’s time.
It is not safe to use CBD products which haven’t been FDA approved, as they do not have any medically researched dosage guidelines. Also, manufacturers of these CBD products make tall unverified claims to market and improve the sales of their products. The quality of these products is not vouched for, and it is best that you do not compromise your safety by experimenting with them.
CBD Product Delivery Forms?
Products are available in various forms, such as, sublingual tablets, nasal sprays, capsules and oil solutions. The dosage for each differs due to their different modes of administration. While there have been many anecdotal evidences which support the usage of CBD, the same is not enough to risk your health. Well-researched evidence is still scarce on the advantages of using CBD-infused products and you are recommended to wait till such is available before using them.
Some Final Considerations
CBD has become a favorite topic of discussion for wellness experts around the world. With the number of conditions that it is apparently effective in treating, there is little doubt why. However, caution must be observed when dealing with ingestibles/products we are not knowledgeable about. It has been reported as safe for usage fot the majority of population by the WHO. However, the compound is said to react differently for different individuals. If you happen to experience adverse effects from drugs such as Tylenol, maybe CBD products are not right for you either. The uses of CBD are still being researched and soon, we will have more information on this apparent wonder cure-all.