Cannabidiol, or CBD, as it’s more commonly known is a non-psychoactive compound extracted from cannabis or hemp. CBD has been studied for its effect on a variety of ailments, including anxiety, nausea, pain, inflammation, depression, and addiction, and has shown some very promising results. While this sounds great, is CBD healthy for us?
While many people swear by its effectiveness, there are some people who are still cautious about the use of CBD, fearing that it might have negative side effects on the user’s health and mind.
In this article, we will explore this topic in-depth and list the pros and cons of taking cannabidiol supplements. You’ll be able to determine if supplementing with CBD is right for you.
What Does CBD Stand For?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it is one of several different cannabinoids within the cannabis plant family. A cannabinoid is simply a type of plant chemical.
You’ve probably heard of THC before. This is another type cannabinoid.
Research shows that CBD not only has a direct impact on the body but also has indirect effects on other receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This system is involved in regulating many physiological functions such as memory, sleep, appetite, and the immune system.
As a result, the health benefits of CBD can often be attributed to its ability to impact the endocannabinoid system.
Is CBD Healthy?
CBD has been studied for its medicinal benefits and has been found to be safe for human consumption by the World Health Organization. There is no evidence that proves that CBD is unhealthy for humans.
However, there is enough evidence to show that it is not dangerous or harmful, and can be used as a treatment for many diseases and ailments. This means that it’s a perfectly safe compound, with many potential benefits and uses.
Whether or not CBD is right for you depends on your circumstances, but the mounting anecdotal and scientific evidence is leaning towards CBD being a safe, effective, and incredibly useful supplement for many diseases and ailments.
An alternative that is almost certainly a healthier option than many of the pharmaceutical options on the market, which although effective in some cases, come with a myriad of side effects and health-related impacts on the user.
With all these facts in mind, it’s safe to say that cannabidiol is healthy and safe for most people to use.
CBD Benefits
Initially, CBD was dismissed as nothing more than a fad or “bro-science”, to the uninformed. Over the last decade, numerous scientific studies have backed up many of the claims made by users.
The benefits of CBD have been shown to reduce anxiety, relieve chronic back pain, and treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders.
Is CBD Healthy for Your Body?
Yes, CBD is healthy for your body. CBD has been used to prevent and combat ailments related to aging like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Some of the other potential health benefits of CBD oil include:
Pain Relief
CBD oil has been found to reduce inflammation in the body and ease pain. This makes it ideal for people with arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or other chronic inflammatory disorders.
Epilepsy
People with epilepsy have found that CBD oil helps reduce seizures and decreases the number of seizures the person goes through per month.
Diabetes
Studies have shown that diabetes patients who take CBD oil have blood sugar levels that remain normal.
Immunity
People with autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or HIV/AIDS can take CBD oil to help restore the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Energy and Mood
CBD has been shown to improve mood, making it a beneficial alternative to antidepressant medications. Lower doses of CBD can actually provide a stimulating effect. People are just now discovering that CBD for energy is actually better than caffeine.
CBD Cannot Cure Everything
It’s a shame that I have to mention this, but CBD cannot cure everything for everyone. One of the unfortunate side effects of zero regulation is that companies who want to take your money will tell you anything you want to hear about using cannabidiol.
There are a number of reasons why people perceive that supplementing with CBD oil can be dangerous, and that’s down to some of the more outlandish claims made about its’ benefits. I’m talking about claims that any reputable manufacturer or reseller never makes.
It has been marketed to cure cancer, schizophrenia, and even AIDS. While it has been shown to help with some of these conditions and their symptoms, there is no evidence whatsoever that CBD can cure any of these ailments directly.
Please be wary about purchasing CBD from anyone making such claims.
Safety of CBD
Let’s go over some of the things that you need to remember about the safety of CBD:
- Lack of regulation – Cannabidiol is not a regulated substance under the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and, as a result, there are a number of companies making fake CBD products.
- CBD oil can interact with several medications including opioids, benzodiazepines, anti-psychotics, and antidepressants. If you are taking any of these medications, you should not take CBD without first consulting your doctor.
- Unhealthy ingredients – Some products that you can find on the market contain unhealthy ingredients like synthetic cannabinoids, heavy metals, fillers, and other harmful substances. This is why it’s absolutely crucial that you do your research and source your CBD from a reputable source, such as New Phase Blends, that way you’ll know you’re getting the possible CBD blend.
Side Effects
While relatively safe compared to other medications, CBD still has some mild side effects. Some people may experience nausea or vomiting while using CBD oil. This is usually a sign that the oil is too strong or the person is sensitive to it, so best to start with a low dosage and work your way up (if needed).
Is CBD Legal?
Like any natural product, CBD of course has its negative aspects. The most prominent of these is its legality. In some places it’s legal, in some places it’s not. So, is CBD legal? What does that mean?
Yes, CBD is legal on a federal level. Almost all states have followed in the footsteps of the federal government, too.
Get Healthy With CBD Products
If you haven’t already started using CBD products, you should start soon. It is a healthy way of offering relief from several discomforts that life can bring.
As with any other health and wellness product, make sure you are purchasing from a reputable brand, and you’ll be good to go.
References
Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry: http://rbppsiquiatria.org.br/details/2175/en-US/cannabidiol-and-mental-health–possibilities–uncertainties–and-controversies-for-addiction-treatment
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/Web MD: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1439/cannabidiol-cbd