Cannabis is a big deal nowadays. Whether it’s the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana or the approval of cannabidiol (CBD) as a legal natural remedy that can be sold across state lines, cannabis, CBD, THC, and hemp are major buzzwords at the moment. It has been shown to have many benefits that range from pain management to schizophrenia to epilepsy. But as useful as CBD oil is and can be, you’re probably wondering if there are any side effects that may accompany using this natural remedy. Consider this your complete online guide to the uses and side effects of CBD oil.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is an oil that is extracted from hemp that is high in cannabidiol and low in THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Cannabidiol is also referred to as CBD, and it makes up about 40% of the hemp plant and is the most dominant cannabinoid component that naturally occurs in hemp. It is just one of more than 100 cannabinoids that scientists have identified in cannabis.
CBD oil should not be confused with medical marijuana. Marijuana, although it is a hemp variety, is generally high in THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of the plant and lower in CBD. CBD oil has trace amounts of THC, so it is not a product that shouldn’t result in a psychoactive high like marijuana gives.
What is the Difference Between CBD and THC?
The main difference between THC and CBD is that CBD is considered non-psychoactive and THC is psychoactive. THC will produce a euphoric sensation, while CBD will not. These two compounds make up the larger portion of cannabinoids found in cannabis and are the two that have the most empirical data and scientific studies to support the claims that cannabis and hemp are worth including in both allopathic (modern) medicine and alternative (nature derived) medicine. Both compounds work within the body via the endocannabinoid system, which helps to regulate appetite, mood, pain, cellular cycles and more.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is found in all small mammals, including humans. It has millions of cannabinoid receptor sites that participate in neural communication. These receptor sites are mainly located throughout the brain, central nervous system, and immune system. Although it is one of the lesser known regulatory body systems, its job is very important. It regulates our immune response, our metabolism and appetite, the communication between cells and helping the body maintain homeostasis.
What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil?
There are many, many benefits to making CBD part of your medicinal arsenal. Not only does it positively influence the endocannabinoid system it can also be used for the management and elimination of many diseases, disorders, discomforts, and mental illnesses. More than 20,000 studies have been published assessing the use of CBD oil in medical applications. Some of these studies have made strong positive connections between anxiety, epilepsy, inflammation, cancer and many other conditions.
CBD can help to relieve pain, so those who suffer from fibromyalgia, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other painful conditions should see an improvement in the level of pain or discomfort. It is also a companion to many cancer treatments. CBD can help ease nausea, vomiting, and pain. It may even have some cancer-fighting abilities. One surprising use of CBD is for the treatment of acne. Because acne is often caused by inflammation and high sebum production, CBD looks quite promising. And the benefits of CBD oil aren’t just for humans, you can even treat your household mammal pets with it.
There is lot more research to do surrounding the benefits of CBD oil, but there is promising potential for its use in the reduction of the size and growth of tumors, the prevention of diabetes, the treatment of substance abuse and the reduction of psychotic symptoms in certain mental illnesses.
How Do I Use CBD Oil?
Using CBD oil is pretty simple. Oral CBD oil packaging is different from common Marijuana oil packing solution. Marijuana oil can be packed in can or bottle, while oral CBD oil is most often administered in capsule form, with a dropper or by spraying. It is considered safe for human consumption and non-toxic, even in high amounts. To find your dosage, it’s a good idea to start with the dosage instructions on the packaging, but you can also do a little less to learn how much your body needs.
You can also use CBD oil topically. Topical CBD oil works well for use on painful joints, sore muscles, and overall skin and hair maintenance. Topical CBD often combines other carrier oils and essential oils to offer an extended range of benefits. It is also available as a vaporizer oil. These can usually be used in most vaporizers with no problem. Vaping CBD oil allows the medicine to work faster because it doesn’t have to go through the digestive system before reaching your bloodstream.
What Are the Side Effects?
Although CBD is usually well tolerated in most people, there are some who experience adverse effects when taking CBD oil. Some of the side effects that have been noted in scientific studies include:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Appetite Loss
- Hypotension
- Dry Mouth
CBD oil does interact with certain medications, so check with your healthcare provider before adding it to your medicine cabinet.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
CBD oil that comes from hemp plants grown in America is legal. It is, however, illegal for hemp to be grown for commercial purposes in the United States. A bill was passed in 2014 that made it legal for hemp to be grown for pilot programs and research. Since hemp isn’t available for commercial growing, all of the products containing hemp, including clothing, accessories, building materials, food materials and more, are imported from other countries around the world. Europe, namely, is one of the major exporters of hemp-derived goods. The hemp industry is exploding, and this multi-million dollar industry has caused America to legalize hemp. This renewable resource and healing plant has the potential to revolutionize American agriculture.
The Short of It
CBD oil is generally safe to use, even in high amounts. Side effects are usually quite mild and not too common. It has many indications for use in widespread applications. Research is ongoing and there are many more conclusions and therapeutic uses to be discovered.
