CBD – What to Know
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many active compounds in cannabis and is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis (marijuana). It is non-psychoactive, unlike its counterpart tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This means that CBD does not cause a “high” though it can have minor effects in mood and behavior, usually of a positive nature.
What is CBD?
CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana and is derived directly from the hemp plant or can be manufactured in a laboratory. Cannabis-derived CBD products may be more effective than lab-derived which still provides some health benefits. Statistically, most people prefer the natural version.
CBD Health Benefits
There’s not a lot of research on CBD, but the results of what has been studied are promising. Some studies have found it may be effective in providing relief from various mental health and physical conditions. CBD has been shown to be practically effective for a wide variety of health issues.
The strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the most daunting childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to anti-seizure medications. In numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and, in some cases, stop them altogether. Epidiolex, which contains CBD, is the first cannabis-derived medicine approved by the FDA for these conditions.
According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
One study on rats found that CBD oil may treat pain associated with arthritis, while another study on human cells found that CBD cream was effective for muscle pain and an effective anti-inflammatory. More research is needed to truly understand the potential benefits of using CBD as a treatment for mental and physical health conditions.
Some studies, self-reports, and research in humans, suggest CBD may also help with:
- Anxiety.
- Insomnia.
- Chronic pain.
- Inflammation due to arthritis
- Inflammatory and neuropathic pain, which are difficult treat.
- Addiction. CBD can help lower cravings for tobacco and heroin under certain conditions, according to some research in humans. Animal models of addiction suggest it may also help lessen cravings for alcohol, cannabis, opiates, and stimulants.
Is CBD Safe?
Side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue and irritability. CBD can increase the level of blood thinning and other medicines in your blood by competing for the liver enzymes that break down these drugs. Grapefruit has a similar effect with certain medicines.
It’s important not to mix CBD with alcohol or any medications that have a sedative effect. It’s also a good idea to watch for any changes in your mood or thinking patterns.
People taking high doses of CBD may show abnormalities in liver related blood tests. Many non-prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have this same effect. So, you should let your doctor know if you are regularly using CBD.
A significant safety concern with CBD is that it is primarily marketed and sold as a supplement, not a medication. Currently, the FDA does not regulate the safety and purity of dietary supplements. So, you cannot be sure that the product you buy has active ingredients at the dose listed on the label. In addition, the product may contain other unknown elements. We also don’t know the most effective therapeutic dose of CBD for any particular medical condition.
Is CBD Legal?
CBD is readily obtainable in most parts of the United States, though its exact legal status varies by state. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction. You can purchase Hemp-based products and some topical CBD products online. The actual ingestible products such as oils, gummies and pills are not necessarily legal everywhere though there’s little in the way of enforceable restrictions.
In December 2015, the FDA eased the regulatory requirements to allow researchers to conduct CBD trials. In 2018, the Farm Bill removed all hemp-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, which criminalizes the possession of drugs. In essence, this means that CBD is legal if it comes from hemp, but not if it comes from cannabis (marijuana) – even though it is the exact same molecule. It is like making oranges legal but keeping orange juice illegal. Currently, many people obtain CBD online without a medical marijuana license, which is legal in most states.
It is also possible that you could fail a drug test if you’re taking a version that is “full spectrum” which means it contains a small level of THC, just enough to show up on a urinalysis. There are products that provides the benefit without the risk. Look for “Broad Spectrum” as shown below.
Pricing
CBD pricing varies depending on a number of factors, none of which you will likely figure out or understand to be honest. It is important to understand that the actual process of manufacturing pure and refined Hemp-derived CBD is expensive and difficult. Therefore, be careful of products that mix other oils or ingredients into the product but have just enough CBD in them to call it CBD.
If you’re spending $10 on a bottle of “CBD Oil”, you’re probably getting ripped off. For pure, full-spectrum CBD, you can expect to pay somewhere around $80 for a product of excellence. We recommend products from HempWorx as they have been shown to be some of the best in the business and they had a product on the market before CBD became popular. In full disclosure, we are a HempWorx affiliate.
Options and Application
CBD comes in many forms, including oils, extracts, capsules, patches, vapes, and topical preparations for use on skin. If you’re hoping to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle and joint pain, a topical CBD-infused oil, lotion or cream – or even a bath bomb — may be the best option. Alternatively, a CBC patch or a tincture or spray designed to be placed under the tongue allows CBD to directly enter the bloodstream.
Dosages
Dosages of CBD vary but generally begin to be effective at 500mg if of a pure product. A quality product generally doesn’t need to be more than 1500mg to be most effective when taken as directed. Most dosages shouldn’t be more than once or twice a day. Since this an unregulated aspect of the market, if you see really high dosages of a product and for a very low price, you can expect that there are impurities within the ingredient list and there may be an attempt at taking advantage. The effects should generally be felt after the first couple weeks of consistent use, sometimes sooner. You’ll want to give it at least 30-days before making a decision to continue or move on to either another product or discontinue.
Oils and Tinctures
CBD liquids, usually oils, are infused with CBD and placed under the tongue with a dropper. The oral mucosa is full of tiny capillaries that absorb the compounds quickly. Oils and tinctures are a good choice for people who can’t take pills or capsules.
Epidermically / Topical
CBD-infused topicals can be used to treat muscle and joint pain. They can also treat some skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis. CBD patches work similarly to nicotine patches.
Capsules and Pills
CBD capsules and pills can be used for the systemic treatment of seizure disorders, digestive issues, and can be a way to take CBD when the taste is unpalatable. There’s one drawback with capsule forms in that the time from ingestion to the onset of effect can take a while and capsules have been known to pass through the digestive track without fully releasing their medicinal contents.
Edibles
Gummies and other edibles are the most popular way to take CBD. It is the surest way to know your dosage level and they generally taste pretty good. Just remember not to “snack” on them and treat it like any other medication.
Vaping
Inhaling vaporized CBD oil, like e-cigs for CBD, is the fastest way to experience the effects but it may not be good for your lungs. Many vaping solutions have a catalyst that is added to atomize the CBD solution and it’s the catalyst you don’t want.
Outside of the US, the prescription drug Sativex (also known as Nabiximols), which uses CBD as an active ingredient, is approved for muscle spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and for cancer pain. Within the US, Epidiolex is approved for certain types of epilepsy and tuberous sclerosis.
Conclusion
CBD is certainly one of the most promising natural remedies for a number of important medical conditions in our society. It does work but is not a panacea. Some CBD manufacturers have come under government scrutiny for wild and often indefensible claims concerning the efficacy of CBD. There’s been claims that CBD is a cure-all for everything from the common cold to cancer, which it is not. It is also not a replacement for proven medical practices and regular consultation with your doctor. It is nevertheless, a means for dealing with problems that don’t necessarily have a clear medical solution or chronic problems where pain management requires supplementation. Until we have sufficient, high-quality evidence from studies in human trials, we can’t determine the most effective practices. As an unregulated supplement, it can be difficult knowing what you are buying and the quality of its effectiveness so be careful. If you’re going to try CBD, make the right choice based on quality and not on price alone. Finally, make sure you are getting it from a reputable source and talk with your doctor to make sure that it won’t affect any other medications you take.
