May 16, 2019 | CBD Oil
By, Lauraine Kanders, ANP, ACNP-BC
Use of CBD Oil (CBD) is somewhat debated. Yet, it is used to treat various symptoms. There is also some uncertainty about how our bodies are affected exactly by the oil. Having said that, the oil does have health benefits. In many places today, products that have the compound cannabidiol oil are legal. In this article, we explore some key facts about CBD Oil.
What is CBD?
CBD is a cannabinoid, a cannabis plant compound. The oil has concentrations of CBD and the uses vary considerably. The most popular compound in cannabis is delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. It is a marijuana active ingredient. Marijuana has CBD and THC, and both have different effects.
THC changes your mind when you smoke or cook with it. That’s because heat breaks it down. CBD is not psychoactive, unlike THC. This means that use does not influence your state of mind. Significant changes within the human body can be appreciated, however, suggesting medical benefits.
Where is CBD sourced from?
Hemp is a part of the cannabis plant and is not processed in most cases. A lot of the CBD is extracted here. Marijuana and hemp come from sativa cannabis, but they’re quite different. Today, marijuana farmers are breeding plants specifically to have high THC levels. Hemp farmers do not need to modify plants and are used to produce CBD oil.
How does CBD work?
By attaching to different receptors, cannabinoids can have an effect on the body. The body produces some cannabinoids and there are receptors for CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located throughout the body, many of which are in the brain. These receptors are triggers for mood, emotions, pain, movement, coordination, memory, appetite, thinking, and many other functions. THC affects these receptors.
As far as CB2 receptors are concerned, they are mainly in one’s immune system, affecting pain and inflammation. While CBD does not attach directly to CB2 receptors, it directs the body to use more cannabinoids.
What are the benefits of CBD?
In various ways, CBD is beneficial to human health. It is a natural, anti-inflammatory pain reliever. This makes it ideal for use in over the counter drugs used for pain relief. Most people prefer a more natural alternative and this is where CBD oil proves useful.
One challenge worthy of mention is the inconsistency in purity about products. This is likely to change if CBD oil becomes regulated.
Research has proven that, especially for people with chronic pain, CBD provides better treatment.
There is also evidence suggesting that using CBD can be very helpful to anyone who tries to stop smoking or deal with drug withdrawals. In a study, it was seen that smokers who had CBD inhalers tended to smoke less than they used to and without any further cigarette cravings. CBD could be a great treatment especially for people with opioids based addiction disorders.
CBD supports many other medical conditions, including epilepsy, LGA, Dravet syndrome, seizures, etc. More research on the effects of CBD on the human body is being conducted and the results are quite promising. Also considered is the possibility of fighting cancer and various anxiety disorders.
In short, CBD oil is proving to be a great remedy for various kinds of conditions and disorders affecting the human body.
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