The news has been filled with all things cannabis for years now. “Experiments’ with legalization have led to other states legalizing cannabis.
There are potential medical uses discovered in researching this formerly off-limits plant. It seems that cannabis always has something new going on.
One of the latest additions to the cycle is CBD oil, which is not new by any stretch of the imagination, but which is getting a lot of time in the spotlight as it grows in popularity.
So what is CBD oil? Does CBD get you high?
The Facts About CBD Oil
First things first, CBD stands for cannabidiol. This material is harvested from hemp plants, not marijuana.
This material interacts with the body’s cannabinoid receptors and creates a variety of effects in those who take it. CBD can have effects on mood, sleep, appetite, hormone regulation, pain, and other regulatory systems of the body.
While CBD oil and marijuana are often talked about as if they’re close cousins, they’re actually quite different in terms of the effects users get. Marijuana contains large amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive component that gives users a high.
Because CBD oil is harvested from hemp, though, there are only trace amounts of THC in it. So while users may experience similar effects in terms of controlling pain, or balancing mood or appetite, CBD oil cannot give someone the high marijuana can.
As such, many states do not regulate it as a drug at all, and it can be legally purchased over-the-counter, and used by anyone who wishes to.
Does CBD Oil Work?
CBD oil is used by countless people as an alternative treatment for a variety of conditions. Those who suffer from chronic pain, for example, may use CBD as a way to avoid using more addictive prescription painkillers.
Those who suffer from mood disorders, from anxiety, or from depression may be able to help control their conditions by using CBD in combination with other forms of therapy.
Some people use CBD to recover from particularly hard physical labor or exercise. Others use it to deal with headaches rather than reaching for a bottle of aspirin.
With all of that said, though, every individual is unique. So while a certain dose of CBD oil may work for one person, there is no guarantee that the same dose will work for someone else.
While everyone’s body has an endocannabinoid system, it’s important to try CBD oil with realistic expectations.
Can I Use It?
Whether you can purchase and use CBD oil legally depends entirely on what state you’re in. As Hemp Meds points out, there are 33 states at the time of writing that have laws specifically about hemp and products made from hemp. There are 24 other states that treat industrial hemp as a separate plant and have removed barriers to its production, as well as products made from it.
Additionally, depending on the political winds in your state, there may be local ordinances and state laws regarding production, as well as products made from it. A fight over the product raged in Indiana for some time, where CBD’s status as a legal product was in question for months until the state legislature finally clarified that it was, in fact, legal.
As to whether it’s safe, the answer is yes. CBD oil should be used in controlled doses, but as long as you follow both common sense and recommended use protocols, you will be perfectly fine.
Does CBD Get You High?
The “high” associated with marijuana is related to the active psychotropic component, THC, found naturally in cannabis. CBD, or cannabidiol, is non-psychoactive and is easily extracted from the rest of the plant in processing.
Although it won’t produce the psychotropic effects typical of marijuana, CBD oil can have some positive impacts on your brain chemistry. It can lower stress and mediate anxiety.
Though further studies are in progress, there are powerful studies that show CBD oil can offer therapeutic interventions to those suffering from multiple anxiety disorders.
This offers consumers a way to relax and decrease stress without the psychotropic effects of marijuana.
It Can Help Mediate Symptoms of Multiple Diseases
It’s incredible to see the list of diseases and conditions that CBD oil can help mediate. For example, it’s been found to be neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and a potent anticonvulsant.
This means it can be supportive in cases of epilepsy. It can relieve pain stemming from osteoarthritis, and also prevent joint damage.
Animal studies have indicated CBD oil may help cases of irritable bowel disorder by decreasing intestinal inflammation.
Other studies have shown that it may help with alcohol-induced liver disease. In addition to its use in cancer-related palliative care, cannabinoids have been shown in some studies to promote anti-cancer effects.
It Can Lead to Better Sleep and Less Insomnia
CBD oil is linked to better sleep in a couple of ways. First of all, it’s known to mediate anxiety which can help lead to better sleep.
For cases which involve post-traumatic stress disorder, CBD oil has been shown to be helpful in decreasing insomnia thanks to those anti-anxiety and relaxing effects.
In animal studies, CBD oil has been known to create balance in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, leading to a more normalized sleep experience.
Try CBD Oil
Does CBD get you high? No, but there are a ton of positive effects of CBD oil. These benefits and more have merited increasing scientific studies and generated buzz in the alternative health realm.
Organic, lab-tested CBD oil offers an array of everyday benefits supported by various clinical trials, without some of the drawbacks of THC-containing marijuana.