What is CBD Oil?

The CBD revolution has absolutely taken the health and wellness industry by storm. In fact, it seems odd to think of a health shop that doesn’t stock some kind of cannabis derivative product!

If you are looking for a particularly reliable CBD vendor, then look no further than Cannacares. They offer a wide range of organic, vegan-friendly and medically-certified industry-leading products including 24 hour CBD patches, CBD vapes and effective CBD topicals.

With such a wide range of therapeutic benefits, there is no doubt about the driving force behind this explosion in popularity. In fact, there are very few who wouldn’t benefit from regular CBD usage.

This article will outline exactly what CBD is and explain a number of the associated health benefits that have been researched to date, including battling anxiety, epilepsy and migraines.

Firstly, we must briefly cover exactly what CBD is.

What is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol. This is one of the most prevalent cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD oil is extracted from the stalk, seeds and buds of the plant.

Once this extract is mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or MCT oil it is then described as a tincture. This is a term you may have heard used for bottles of CBD oil with droppers.

How CBD works is a question that has confounded many a leading mind in research circles around the world. We do know that it works largely by interacting with our own internal endocannabinoid system. However, we also lack a firm grasp of what this does exactly as well.

What we do know is that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of receptors throughout the immune system, brain and nervous system. These receptors are sites for external cannabinoids – such as CBD. These cannabinoids then attach themselves to these sites and interact with our ECS.

A large part of the confusion around CBD comes from what many have learned from years of government propaganda and disinformation around cannabis. Many conflate CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) into one homogenous area of focus. However they are wildly different.

THC is the main psychoactive ingredient of the cannabis plant. This is responsible for causing the ‘high’ often depicted in popular culture. Think red eyes and an insatiable appetite.

On the other hand, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not impair the user cognitively. High quality CBD is extracted from hemp plants, rather than marijuana plants – ensuring that there are no psychoactive properties to the derivative.

What are the benefits of CBD oil?

The nature of prohibition around the globe, in relation to cannabis, has formed quite the roadblock to clinical research in recent years, with many avoiding it altogether due to excessive red tape.

That said, the last 10-15 years have seen a sharp increase in the number of studies surrounding cannabis as attitudes slowly change. Many academics are now far more positive and attracted to unlocking the therapeutic potential of cannabis.

There have been a number of important studies conducted in recent years that have shed an increasing amount of light on to an industry that desperately needed it. We know that CBD can benefit the user across a number of ailments. This includes the following:

Migraines

Regular CBD oil usage can offer effective relief for those suffering with migraines. Various recent research has suggested that CBD can help in the following ways, all of which are relevant to migraines:

• Pain relief

• Easing nausea

• Reducing inflammation

• Anticonvulsive effects

Epilepsy

As referenced above, there have been a number of promising studies detailing the potential anticonvulsive properties of CBD. There have also been several studies specifically researching epileptic patients. The results of these studies have been incredibly positive and highlight the potential to offer significant relief to epileptic patients. In fact, The Epilepsy Foundation now acknowledge the ability of CBD to reduce seizures and provide effective relief.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common reasons for people using CBD. The anecdotal evidence is hugely promising, however the murky empirical nature of anxiety and depression makes peer-reviewed research difficult to draw conclusions from.

Some have suggested that CBD has a potential anti-depressant effect and many doctors recommend including CBD in your regular treatment regime.

Alcoholism

There is evidence that regular CBD usage has the potential to minimise the neurodegenerative effects of chronic binge drinking, otherwise known as alcoholism. This should limit cognitive decline.

Chronic Pain and Joint Pain

Chronic pain is another incredibly popular reason for using CBD oil due to its high efficacy. CBD has been found to reduce not only chronic pain, but also inflammation and joint swelling. As such, it has become very popular with sufferers of arthritis.

We are increasingly seeing CBD prescribed more frequently by doctors, particularly in the USA, as an effective method of pain relief for those suffering with pain associated with cancer, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia.

CBD patches are often a popular choice of delivery method when it comes to pain relief. This is due to the steady, consistent way in which CBD is delivered directly into the bloodstream across a 24-hour period.

Insomnia & Improving Sleep Quality

Sleep quality is very hard to empirically review, however a handful of smaller studies have shown some promising results – particularly in those with sleep disorders such as insomnia.

That said, a high dose of CBD is required to impact sleep, so it is important to keep this in mind. The sedative effect of CBD at high doses, combined with its antianxiety and general calming properties make it a great natural option for those looking to improve their quality of sleep.

Eczema and Psoriasis

There is no doubt that anecdotal evidence here is rife. There have also been a number of peer-reviewed studies that have amassed promising findings.

The soothing properties of CBD are accentuated in a topical product, such as CBD balm or CBD moisturiser. This not only provides instantaneous relief, but also should act in a preventative fashion with regular, consistent use.

The fact that CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory also serves it well when treating psoriasis, eczema and other such skin conditions.

FAQS

There are a number of commonly asked questions around CBD. The 3 most popular are answered below:

Is CBD Legal?

CBD derived from industrial hemp that is EU-approved and does not contain THC is completely legal. This is why it is important to request a Certificate of Analysis, particularly when buying CBD from a new company.

This is an independent document curated by a third-party laboratory that confirms the exact ingredients of the product.

Will CBD Make me High?

No, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound. Furthermore, while there is a 0.2% legal limit for THC, this is not sufficient to get the user high - the levels are far too low.

How do you take CBD?

This all depends on your delivery method of choice. Below are a few of the most popular:

• CBD Oil Tinctures – drop the oil under your tongue, hold it for 60 seconds and then swallow the remnants.

• CBD Capsules – swallow with water with each meal.

• CBD Patches – These last for 24 hours and can simply be replaced each morning.

• CBD Vapes – If you purchase a medically-certified vape, such as those available from Cannacares, the vape is pre-dosed. Each ‘draw’, or ‘puff’, is 1mg of CBD. This makes dosing a doddle.

• CBD Topicals – Apply regularly throughout the day to affected areas.

What CBD delivery method you choose is dictated by personal preference and reasons for using CBD. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer – different products will be better for different people! Let’s get experimenting!