By now, you’ve heard of CBD oil. But, does CBD oil work? Many different user reviews make it seem incredible, but is it? It’s been all the rage over the past couple of years, and with good reason.
Not only does it have potential health benefits that include treating anxiety, depression, and pain, but it also has no psychoactive effects, unlike THC which is also found in cannabis products that are commonly smoked or vaped.
That said, CBD and THC are completely different. It isn’t possible to get ‘high off of CBD.’ In this article, we’ll review exactly why CBD works so well, and discuss some places you can purchase pure CBD oil products.
CBD Works at the Cellular Level
Discover: How CBD Works in the Body
For decades, scientists have been researching how all living things—humans included—communicate. One of these areas is called cellular communication; where cells talk to each other via a variety of different methods.
Turns out, one of these methods of cell-to-cell communication involves a lot of listening. In particular, receptors on one cell type will listen for certain signals that tell them what to do.
Your nervous system naturally produces cannabinoid receptors (don’t worry if you haven’t heard that term before). What happens when your body releases endocannabinoids (which it does constantly) is that these cannabinoids listen for instructions from outside factors like CBD oil.
When they hear those instructions, they can change how cells behave and communicate with each other.
This means that there are a lot of different ways in which CBD oil can improve your health by working at a cellular level to make sure your cells are doing what they should be doing.
CBD vs THC
Cannabinoids are a class of chemicals that influence our endocannabinoid system for optimal health. They come in a variety of substances, with THC and CBD being among the most commonly produced and consumed. Hemp is a form of cannabis Sativa that contains only trace amounts of THC, but high levels of CBD.
Both THC and CBD have been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of diseases through their interaction with our endocannabinoid system—so much so that clinical trials are underway to test whether or not whole-plant cannabis can treat epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and other conditions.
That said, there is one huge difference between CBD and THC. THC will get you extremely high if you use it, and CBD will not. CBD is not intoxicating – at all. We can now reap a lot of the benefits of the cannabis plant without getting high.
Related: CBD vs THC for Anxiety
How do you distinguish the two when making products, then, since they are both in cannabis?
Good question!
Marijuana and industrial hemp both make up the cannabis plant family
The Endocannabinoid System is Widespread
Endocannabinoids are lipids that activate receptors throughout our bodies to promote homeostasis and overall good health. One study found that many disease processes involve their deficiency.
Many natural components regulate these receptors including vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds like cannabinoids from hemp plants.
These receptors make up our endocannabinoid system.
Cannabidiol Interacts with Different Receptors
Unlike THC, which interacts primarily with CB1 receptors in a relatively short pathway within a synapse, cannabidiol interacts with many receptors, proteins, and other chemicals throughout your brain and body. This complex dance of compounds is how CBD produces its wide range of effects on your mind and body.
CBD oil is extracted from industrial hemp plants, rather than the intoxicating cannabis plant, which means it doesn’t affect your state of mind as you consume it (again, unlike THC).
Discover: Cannabidiol Edibles
Each individual has their own endocannabinoid system (ECS) that responds to cannabinoids differently, making it unique. Regardless of how each individual reacts to cannabidiol, however, we still have much to learn about how our bodies process it effectively.
CBD is Safe and Non-Toxic
Cannabidiol is actually very safe. Among its biggest benefits, CBD oil is non-toxic. Many other treatments for various conditions or diseases have severe side effects, but not CBD oil.
This is because most other medications are processed through your liver, where many things become toxic before being metabolized into harmless substances and excreted from your body. Because CBD oil doesn’t go through your liver, it has fewer harmful side effects than most other drugs you might take for a serious condition.
That’s one reason why it’s considered safe for almost anyone who could benefit from its use—from children with epilepsy to adults with chronic pain issues like arthritis or fibromyalgia.
There Are Many Different Types of Cannabinoids
Hemp is a specific variety of cannabis that contains a high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD). There are over 120 different cannabinoids, but only five have been studied extensively: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC).
Discover: All Known Cannabinoids
Of these, THC is by far the most well known. Studies have shown that many cannabinoids influence neurochemical mechanisms involved in mood and anxiety disorders. For example, studies show that CBD acts as an anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory agent.
In fact, it may be more effective than some of its counterparts. Research suggests that CBD can reduce social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms in patients with SAD who do not respond to traditional treatments like antidepressants or therapy.
The mechanism behind how CBD alleviates social anxiety disorder symptoms are still unclear, but researchers believe it has something to do with serotonin receptors in our brain called 5-HT1A receptors.
In one study involving 24 people with SAD who were given either 600 mg of CBD or a placebo for eight weeks; participants who received the CBD experienced a reduction in their anxiety scores compared to those who took a placebo pill.
No Addictive Qualities
Because it doesn’t contain THC, CBD isn’t addictive. In fact, unlike other products that might get you high, CBD won’t leave you feeling much different at all—physically or mentally—then when you started.
This makes it an appealing option for patients looking for relief from pain and other conditions without feelings of lethargy or dysphoria. You can even keep your regular routine: take your morning shower, pop a little CBD, and get right to work on whatever task needs doing next.
Because its effects are milder than those of THC (and others in marijuana), you don’t have to worry about feeling stoned when you use CBD-rich products—in fact if anything, they may leave you feeling a little energized instead.
The calming effects are also useful for people who experience anxiety during high-pressure situations like public speaking or performing in front of large crowds.
There Are a Variety of Products Available
With products such as New Phase Blends CBD Oil, you’ll have no trouble finding a way to incorporate CBD into your daily routine. The capsules are especially convenient because they contain a precise dosage of CBD, which means you can count on getting that amount each time you take one.
New Phase Blends’ oils are top-quality products that let you control how much CBD goes into your system—so it won’t build up in your body over time.
Essentially, any type of product that uses CBD—from gummies to lotions—has received praise for being an effective way to promote health and well-being. Now that’s something worth smiling about!
Why Doesn’t CBD Work For Some People?
Some people report CBD doesn’t work for them. Why is that? There are several reasons for this, but product quality seems to top the charts as reasons CBD doesn’t work for people.
If you aren’t taking genuine, pure CBD items, it’s just not going to work for you (obviously). A lot of companies produce CBD products that are either underdosed, or severely fake. They trick people into buying what they think is CBD oil, but isn’t.
How to Use CBD Oil
Figuring out how to take CBD oil is simple. The fastest way to feel its effects is by applying it topically. Drop a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue and hold it there for a few minutes.
Discover: Benefits of 1,000 mg CBD Oil Tinctures
Alternatively, mix it with your favorite food or drink (it’s especially delicious in coffee or tea). If you use it in cooking, be sure to keep your recipes below 1 gram of CBD per serving, as recommended by manufacturers.
So, Does CBD Oil Work?
Yes, CBD does work. CBD is a healthy alternative to medications, most notably prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. It’s non-toxic and comes with no high, unlike THC. Like any other medical aid, check with your doctor before trying CBD products of any kind.
Biological Psychiatry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789136/
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576607/
