CBD oil is having a moment right now. As are all products related to CBD or marijuana.
With so many states making it legal, either for medicinal purposes or recreational or both, many people are now seeing the benefits of it. In fact, 14% of Americans have used some type of CBD product, and 1 in 7 Americans use a CBD product.
While we know CBD oil is all the rage, does it live up to its hype? What are the benefits of it? Is buying everything from CBD oil shampoo to eye cream to CBD oil gummies actually worth it?
In this article, we'll take a look at some of the benefits of CBD oil. We'll also discuss some of the side effects you may experience if you take CBD oil.
Read on for more information, and learn whether it's worth it to get in on this new craze.
What is CBD Oil?
Before we dive into the benefits of CBD oil, let's get to the basics to discuss what it is exactly.
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a derivative of cannabis plants. Many people associate it with marijuana, but why?
That's because CBD is an active ingredient in medical marijuana, and it can contain THC. Most consumer CBD oil is derived from hemp plants, however, which do not get you high. While both have the same benefits in terms of benefits to your body, how the CBD oil is derived and prepared determines whether or not it will get you "high."
Does CBD Oil Get You High?
Most CBD oil on the market does not contain THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, as most are derived from the hemp plant. However, you can purchase CBD oil with THC if it is legal in your state.
THC is the compound that gives one the feeling of being "high," or psychoactive effects, and is only derived from the marijuana plant. One can consume it mixed with CBD oil, by smoking, eating it and a variety of other ways.
The majority of people feel that CBD oil without THC is beneficial to them, and therefore don't want the THC. Some also prefer not to get "high," as it makes them feel "weird" or uncomfortable. Others to use THC when they consume cannabis products.
Can CBD Oil Cure Diseases?
CBD oil and medical marijuana have made a big splash into the consumer market. As such, you've probably heard that CBD oil can cure everything from cancer to chronic pain.
While there are people claiming this is the case, currently, CBD oil is not FDA approved to treat any illness, except for some very specific forms of epilepsy. And no matter what you read on Facebook, CBD oil doesn't cure cancer or any other incurable illness.
Currently, the FDA has only approved the use of CBD for medical treatment in a drug called Epidiolex. The drug treats people with epilepsy, but only those who suffer from two specific forms: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
Some people may be prescribed CBD oil for other forms of epilepsy as well. But doctors are quick to point out that it is not a miracle cure.
But, it is wise to be wary of anyone who says that CBD oil can cure a disease or condition. Currently, it can only help manage some types of epilepsy but does not eradicate.
Now, let's get to the benefits of CBD oil!
1. It May Relieve Symptoms Related to Cancer Treatment
While CBD oil can't cure cancer, or treat underlying cancer itself, many cancer patients still swear by it. Why? Because it helps reduce the symptoms associated with receiving cancer treatment.
Cancer treatment is notoriously rough on the body, particularly chemotherapy. Chemo, as it's known colloquially, can cause nausea, vomiting, and a variety of other extremely unpleasant side effects.
Many cancer patients say that it helps mitigate the nausea so that they can keep food down during their treatment. Maintaining strength during cancer treatment is very important, but it can be difficult to do when food seems like the last thing you want to see.
But, CBD oil, for many, helps them keep their food down and doesn't make food seem unappealing.
There are some studies that show that CBD oil may help fight cancer itself, but these are still in their infancy. CBD oil alone cannot fight cancer off.
2. It Might Help Relieve Menstrual Cramps
Women know that periods aren't a picnic in the park. Many women have extremely painful periods, making the dread their cycle each month. Some women rely on Advil, Midol and other anti-inflammatories to help them feel a bit more themselves during their period.
For women that would rather go the natural, plant-based route, many find that CBD oil helps ease their cramps and makes them able to function better. The bonus is that CBD oil can be consumed as an edible, meaning that women can get in their chocolate and pain relief all at the same time.
You should know, however, that if your periods are particularly painful, you should see a doctor in order to discuss your options and not just rely on CBD oil alone. CBD will not solve your underlying issue, and for some women, it may be something like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) or endometriosis.
While many of the underlying illnesses that cause the pain can be treated with medication, many women still find they need some pain relief each month. They may, then, choose to rely on CBD oil to help take the edge off while under their doctor's care.
3. Many People Swear By CBD Oil Helping Their Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, or the painful swelling of the joints, is something most people deal with as they get older. Many people also deal with arthritis as related to illnesses like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.
Depending on the type of arthritis the person has, it can be degenerative and wear their joints down as well as painful, or it can be just painful. Either way, it's not an enjoyable condition to have.
It has been shown that some people find relief from arthritis with CBD oil and that a combination of THC and CBD can help with sleep for those who have chronic arthritis. Many people with arthritis suffer from something called "painsomnia" wherein they are unable to get a restful night's sleep.
With the combination of CBD and THC, it was found that it helped improve the sleep of those who have rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
4. It Might Help with Multiple Sclerosis, Otherwise Known as MS
Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a debilitating autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's myelin. These are the sheaths that protect nerve fibers, thus causes the body to become unable to communicate between the brain and body.
For some people, this condition not only results in the inability to perform daily tasks, but it can also result in serious pain. One study found that CBD oil, particularly when mixed with THC, showed positive effects.
During the study, many participants found that they had reduced pain and fewer muscle spasms than previously.
There is a medication called Sativex that contains both CBD and THC. This medication is approved to treat some of the symptoms related to MS in a variety of countries around the world.
5. It Can Help Reduce Sciatic Pain
Sciatic pain is relatively common. It affects the lower back, hips and buttocks where the sciatic nerve runs, and as one ages, one finds that this pain often worsens. With so many people working long hours in sedentary jobs or seated positions, many find that their sciatic nerve flares up.
Thankfully, CBD oil can help with sciatic nerve pain. Thus far, it's only been fully proven to do so in rats, but many individuals anecdotally say that CBD helps them cope with the pain.
6. CBD Might Help Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is one of the major causes of pain. It is something many of us are often fighting and can be caused by a variety of issues. For many, inflammation may become debilitating, especially as the pain around it is so great.
One study found that CBD oil reduced inflammation dramatically in lab rats. However, like sciatic pain, many people anecdotally say that CBD oil really helps with their inflammation and reduces pain associated with it.
7. It May Help Reduce Anxiety
Anxiety leaves those who have in a constant feeling of "fight or flight." As they're in a state of hyperarousal, they feel they're unable to calm down or to feel relaxed.
For some people, anxiety is simply a feeling of being "on edge" for a long period of time. For others, they may feel calm and then have seemingly random panic attacks that may come on suddenly. Others still will have constant anxiety peppered with panic attacks, which can make the condition very difficult to live with.
There are many FDA-approved drugs out there that can help people who have anxiety, but there are those who don't wish to try them or wish to rely on something a little bit more natural.
While CBD oil certainly is not a cure-all, it may be able to help with anxiety and reduce the fight or flight sensation.
CBD has been shown to possibly help people who suffer from PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety often occurs with PTSD, as the two disorders are often hand in hand.
8. CBD May Help with Depression
Most people feel sad at certain periods in their lives. And it can be relatively common to feel despondent or in despair after huge life events. These can be loss of a job, the loss of a pet or the loss of family members.
However, when the feeling doesn't go away, or it intensifies to the point it becomes almost or fully debilitating, it is likely depression.
Most people are treated with medication for depression, and for many people that works. But there is evidence to suggest that long-term use of CBD oil may actually help with depression, and help lift an individual's spirits.
9. It Could Help with Insomnia
Insomnia is when it is difficult or impossible to fall asleep. For some people, it is a lifelong battle. For others, it is something they experience when they're ill, in pain, suffer from anxiety or after a major life event.
CBD oil has been shown to help children who have insomnia related to PTSD to sleep better. As such, it should also work on adults who are having a hard time sleeping for whatever reason.
Side Effects of CBD Oil
Now that we've covered some of the benefits of CBD oil, we'll need to discuss some of the side effects.
Generally, CBD oil is incredibly safe. You also are unable to overdose on it, which is a huge plus. However, there are some things that some individuals who take CBD oil experience.
Firstly, CBD can give you fatigue and diarrhea. And like its cousin, marijuana, it can increase your appetite and cause weight changes.
If you're taking any medication that warns you against consuming grapefruit while taking it, you should proceed with caution. CBD oil and grapefruit can both be detrimental to enzymes that help metabolize the drug.
The Benefits of CBD Oil Are Plentiful
As you can see, there are many benefits of CBD oil. We've just reached the tip of the iceberg when it comes to research on how CBD might also help affect other conditions positively.
And with so many benefits and so few side effects, it's worth it to try today!
Head to our online store to find the perfect CBD oil for you.