Having questions, whether you’re an old or new cannabis user, is completely normal. It’s confusing when we talk about hemp, cannabidiol, CBD, cannabis and THC, and how they can all have different effects — especially when they are all linked back to cannabis. Here, we’ll go over everything you should know about CBD, and how it can help you.
CBD is the abbreviation we use to refer to cannabidiol. One of the primary uses of isolated CBD is medicinal. If you suffer from health issues like inflammation, insomnia, anxiety, skin conditions, seizures and more, CBD can provide relief.
Does CBD come from the marijuana plant?
CBD comes from the flower, leaves and stems of cannabis as a naturally occurring substance alongside THC. It is primarily extracted from the flowers to form a paste. Although not psychoactive itself, like THC, CBD is fat-soluble and requires a carrier oil to be absorbed by the body.
Can you become addicted to CBD?
Since CBD is not psychoactive in any way by itself, no, you can’t get addicted to CBD. This is a safe and non-addictive substance that can help ease many symptoms caused by a health condition.
Does CBD get you high?
Again, even though CBD is closely related to another compound found in the plant known as THC, it is non-psychoactive which means it cannot get you high. CBD doesn’t give you that high “Stoned” feeling like THC does.
According to Animal studies, self-reports or research in humans, CBD can help with the following:
Anti-inflammatory: Has the potential to reduce joint pain associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia. It can also help reduce inflammation caused by irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, asthma and many other illnesses that cause inflammation.
Antipsychotic: Can ease symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Schizophrenia, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and psychotic disorders caused by substance abuse.
Anticonvulsive: It helps reduce seizures caused by epilepsy or other health conditions. In June of 2018, the FDA approved EPIDIOLEX which is an oral type of Cannabidiol (CBD) to treat people age two years and old that have seizures associated with two epilepsy syndromes. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet.
Antiemetic: Helps with decreasing vomiting and nausea associated with cancer treatments.
Neuroprotective: this can help slow down the progression of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS)
If you are old enough you probably remember Michael J Fox from such 80s movies like Back to the Future, Teen Wolf and the TV series Family Ties. In 1991, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Michael J. Fox reportedly uses CBD to manage some of his symptoms, and he recommends that other Parkinson’s suffers try the same. You can read more about his story here.
Neurobehavioral disorder, ADHD and autism: CBD is known to work great with reducing anxiety, slowing down seizures, staying focused, relaxation. These symptoms come with ADHD and Autism and CBD could help ease these symptoms.
Can CBD Cure Your Health Conditions?
CBD helps with symptoms brought on by different health concerns. It might help you sleep better, provide temporary pain relief, ease anxiety issues and other conditions. However, as great as CBD is, as of right now, it will not cure things like cancer, etc.
Although, a study by a trusted source of Vitro and in vivo focusing on pancreatic cancer found that cannabinoids can help slow tumour growth.
This could be something we hear more about as more studies are done. Overall, it’s too early to make claims even though the existing small studies look promising.
Is CBD Better for you than other medications?
CBD might be better than the medication you are taking. Lots of medications have a long list of side effects. Although before you make the switch, talk to your health care provider for more information.
What affects does CBD have?
The effects of CBD are more like the “absence of” after you take it. You realize at some point that you slept better, you panic less in a crowd, you fidget less, your thought process was more clear, you had fewer seizures, inflammation was decreased, and the pain was manageable.
What kind of CBD products can you buy?
- Oil drops
- Skin creams, lotion, and soaps
- Teas
- Water
- Vaporizers
- Edibles