As cannabidol (CBD) oil becomes more widely used and sold, you may be wondering if it would be a helpful product to incorporate into your life. Finding out what CBD oil is, how it works, and what is available will help you learn more about the product. Armed with this information, you can make the best decision for your health and needs.
What CBD Oil Is (and What It’s Not)
Cannabidiol is one of many compounds found in the cannabis plant. CBD oil is made by extracting cannabidiol from the plant and diluting it with coconut oil, hemp-seed oil, or another carrier oil. The resulting oil can be taken directly by placing a drop under your tongue and holding it there for a minute before swallowing. You can also mix it into a beverage like juice or coffee.
CBD is not the same as the psychoactive drug, commonly known as marijuana, that is derived from the cannabis plant. Marijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of dried flowers from the plant and contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the active ingredient that causes the high associated with marijuana. CBD oil does not typically contain THC, and, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD doesn’t seem to carry a potential for dependence or abuse.
Types of CBD Oil
CBD products come in three basic varieties: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Full-spectrum CBD contains every component of the cannabis plant, including a very small amount of THC. Broad-spectrum CBD contains every component except THC, and CBD isolate is 100% CBD with no other ingredients.
Benefits and Side Effects of CBD Oil
The strongest evidence shows that CBD can be used to treat childhood epilepsy syndromes that do not respond to anti-seizure medications. CBD oil has also shown some promise in the treatment of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, nausea, insomnia, arthritis, acne, high blood pressure, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Because CBD is currently classified as a supplement rather than a medication, the safety and purity of CBD products are not regulated by the FDA. However, CBD is generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects seem to be relatively mild and include fatigue, nausea, irritability, drowsiness, diarrhea, and dry mouth. CBD may also increase your blood levels when taken with certain medications, such as blood thinners, in the same way grapefruit juice does.
How to Get CBD Oil
If you aren’t sure how to get CBD oil, do a little research into what’s available and what to look for. Your doctor may be able to recommend a reputable brand or a specific product that fits your needs. In general, CBD oil is readily available across the United States, so the biggest question will be finding a high-quality product from a trusted source. You can find CBD oil in both online and brick-and-mortar stores.
If you suffer from one of the conditions mentioned above, CBD oil could an effective, low-risk treatment to try, especially if other treatments haven’t worked for you. Just be sure to talk to your doctor first to make sure that the CBD won’t interact with any other medications or supplements you may be taking.