There’s so much talk about CBD in recent years, and people have sworn that it has helped them improve their health in many ways. Although there are many misconceptions about it, people’s interest is not waning; if at all, the curiosity about CBD is rising.
In 2022, the U.S. consumer sales of CBD will reach USD$1.8 billion, a far cry from 2018’s half-billion-dollar consumer sales. This is primarily due to the passing of the instrumental Farm Bill of 2018, which will be discussed later. But first, what is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol—a chemical found in marijuana. It’s the non-psychoactive compound of the hemp plant that many growers and manufacturers use to make tinctures, oils, balms, and other products. CBD is widely used to treat many conditions. However, there’s only one FDA-approved drug, a prescription oil called Cannabidiol oral solution used to treat two types of epilepsy available legally in the market today. The rest are labeled as supplements, thus, not FDA-regulated.
A Brief History Of CBD
The use of marijuana or cannabis for therapeutic reasons goes back thousands of years in ancient China. It was first used as tea by an ancient Chinese emperor named Emperor Cheng Neng. It was believed the tea helped improve his gout and rheumatism. The plant traveled to different parts of the world and was even recorded to treat Queen Victoria of England for her cramps.
In the modern world, the cannabis plant has a very colorful history tied to racism and the mafia. In the late 19th century, interest in the medicinal properties of marijuana resurfaced, but it was only in 1940 that CBD was first isolated from marijuana. Today, CBD is widely used as a substance to help alleviate pain and anxiety, and many other conditions. It comes in many forms, including oils, balms, roll-ons, and edibles.
The Legality Of CBD
The legality surrounding CBD is pretty complicated. CBD is legal in 47 of the 50 U.S. states, including the District of Columbia, although some states stipulate what CBD can contain. Some states allow at least 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in CBD, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Above this, there will be penalties. Three states, Idaho, South Dakota, and Nebraska, are still not allowing CBD.
In Idaho, the product must be labeled and classified as ‘not marijuana.’ CBD is technically illegal in Nebraska, while hemp-derived products were recently removed from the controlled substances list. Nebraska is very strict with the less than 0.3% THC rule, and they have precise manufacturing, testing, and delivery rules. With all the haziness of the rules, ensure you are fully knowledgeable of your state’s regulations before buying and using CBD.
CBD And The Farm Bill Of 2018
The former U.S. President, Donald J. Trump, signed The Farm Bill 2018 in December 2018, which includes the ruling removing hemp and derivatives of cannabis with extremely low concentrations of THC, which includes CBD, from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Since then, sales and interest in the product have surged. You can now see a lot of dispensaries in many areas, and CBD can now be easily bought online.
The Effectiveness Of CBD
Although further research about CBD still needs to be conducted, there are several studies supporting the use of CBD for various illnesses shedding light on questions like ‘Is CBD good for gout and other illnesses?’ Furthermore, CBD has been believed to help people with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Some also show that CBD may be a possible treatment for gout pain.
However, because CBD’s effect is not the same for everyone, one person’s experience cannot be relied upon as a basis for one’s own CBD journey. Thus, it would be better to try it with the lowest dosage and observe your body’s response. Ideally, you must try it for 30 days, record your observations, and gradually increase your dosage if you feel you need more.
There have been many people claiming that their lives improved because of CBD. Many have lived free from chronic pain and improved their mental and emotional health. To give you a better idea, here are ways you can use CBD for a happier and healthier life:
- Taking A Few Drops Of CBD May Help With Sleep
A night of good, restful sleep seems to be evading people despite their body’s fatigue. Because of distractions, stress, and all the worries that hound busy adults, even if they lay in bed, sleep seems to be very elusive. And this results in waking up tired and lethargic. A few drops of CBD oil under the tongue may help you fall asleep to charge your body entirely.
CBD is known to enhance the cannabinoid receptors in the hypothalamus, the part responsible for manipulating the body’s circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm is the body’s internal clock that tells when to sleep and wake up.
In addition, CBD may help the body relax, which is needed to put the body in NREM stage 1. This is the stage where the body prepares to sleep—the transition period between wakefulness and sleep.
When one achieves the correct number of recommended hours of sleep, a lot can change in one’s health. You will be more alert, focused, productive, and creative. You’ll also feel happier, and your cognitive capacity will also improve.
- Taking CBD Gummies May Help Reduce Inflammation
Although no published study claims that CBD can treat pain and inflammation, the results of some studies looked very promising. The body itself has endocannabinoids, and CBD interacts with neurotransmitters and endocannabinoid receptor activity. This may help reduce inflammation, thereby possibly reducing pain.
- A Few Drops On Your Coffee May Help Reduce Anxiety And Depression
Before you start your day, have a cup of coffee infused with CBD oil, which is known to help calm your nerves and prepare you for what’s ahead. CBD is known to interact with your body’s cannabinoid and serotonin receptors to help keep you calm and centered. And since CBD doesn’t have THC, it will produce the opposite effect, which may help keep you placid and relaxed.
Furthermore, CBD is believed to bind itself with the body’s CB1 receptors, which are responsible for the production of serotonin. Serotonin is the body’s chemical messenger that sends signals between the nerve cells. It regulates your mood, appetite, sleep, and wound healing. Once the proper serotonin levels are achieved, one can experience more pleasure and be happier, helping alleviate depression.
- Diffusing CBD Oil May Help Keep You Calm
CBD oil infused with the scent of lavender or peppermint can make your room smell heavenly and instantly relax your body. Just ensure you’re the only one inside the room and that there are no pets or children because the effect may not be the same for them. Even though CBD is well-tolerated, it would be best to err on the side of caution.
- Applying CBD Oil Topically May Help Treat Acne
Acne forms because of overactive sebaceous glands, the glands under the skin attached to the hair follicles producing the oil on the face, and the fatty substance called sebum. CBD’s anti-inflammatory effect may help calm those glands—limiting sebum production and keeping the skin clear. This is excellent news for those who want to increase their confidence and self-esteem.
The Potential Risks And Side Effects Of CBD
Although CBD has been thought to offer numerous benefits, such as its known capability of alleviating certain diseases, potential risks and side effects have also been observed. With this, the FDA has released a list of potential harm and side effects of CBD. These include the following:
- It may cause liver injury—extremely high doses of CBD have been found to increase liver toxicity.
- It may alter the effectiveness of the drugs you’re currently taking. For instance, if you’re on medicine for cardiovascular disease or are undergoing chemotherapy, CBD may affect how those drugs react and treat your illness. Thus, it would be best to consult your physician if you plan to take CBD if you have a pre-existing condition.
- It may increase drowsiness and sedation if used simultaneously with alcohol and other drugs for mental disorders. For instance, if you’re taking pills for your anxiety and PTSD, taking CBD alongside it may increase drowsiness that may result in injuries.
- It may cause diarrhea. For many people, CBD has been observed to regulate gut motility, and this increased movement in the stomach causes digestion to move quickly.
- It may cause a reduction in fertility for males because, in a few animal studies, CBD has been found to reduce the testes’ size, the number of sperm, and the hormone levels of mice.
Conclusion
The interest in CBD to treat several conditions is relatively juvenile but promising. Chronic pain, acne, illnesses, and depression can severely impact one’s life. If you think CBD is the solution, you can always explore your options and know the risks. This way, you only have to be diligent and careful in weighing your choices.