CBD Oil: A Miracle Cure?

Over the past few years, cannabinoids from the marijuana plant have become a mainstream treatment option for various medical conditions. CBD (cannabidiol), in particular, is effective in reducing seizures and panic disorders.
These cannabis compounds can also improve your pet’s health and resolve conditions like arthritis pain, muscle exhaustion, and seizures.
As such, athletes and fitness enthusiasts are starting to look at CBD for achieving various medicinal benefits.
The main areas where cannabinoids can impact include rest and recovery, sleep, appetite, pain relief, mental and cardiovascular health, gut health, and metabolism, among others.
However, these areas require more study.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is one of the popular cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Cannabis has various species, including Sativa and Indica.
Hemp and marijuana are also famous names you will come across, although they refer to a broad categorization of cannabis. Virtually all strains of cannabis contain cannabinoids.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the most popular, but the plant has more than 300 different compounds, around 80 of which are cannabinoids.
CBD oil is a unique medicinal oil that features CBD from cannabis and carrier oil. Coconut, olive, and sesame are the most common oils that manufacturers use today.
CBD oil is merely one of the various forms in which CBD is available. Others include tinctures, pure isolate, edibles, and gummies, concentrates, waxes and shatters, among others.
Tinctures are more like CBD oil, but they contain solvents such as alcohol or glycerin instead of plant oils (coconut, sesame). As a prescription, CBD oil comes inside a bottle in liquid form.
You can also find CBD oil capsules that you can take as supplements.
CBD does not possess euphoric psychoactive properties like THC and therefore doesn’t result in a high. However, most CBD oil products also contain traces of THC.
In the US, the federal government only permits CBD products that contain less than 0.3% THC. In Canada, both medical and recreational marijuana is legal. Experts also identify CBD as safe for human consumption since it contains very low (less than 0.3%) THC.
It is virtually impossible to suffer THC intoxication from consuming CBD, as this would require taking enormous amounts of CBD within a short time.
What is the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil?
Hemp oil and CBD oil is a common debate, especially among new cannabis users. Hemp is one of the oldest varieties of cannabis known to man. Over the centuries, farmers have grown industrial hemp for its fiber and use in the textile industry.
Hemp farmers focus on the fiber content of the plant and less on the cannabinoids. All the essential oils, cannabinoids, flavonoids, phytochemicals, and micronutrients in the cannabis plant are in the trichomes.
Hemp seeds are also available as a nutritious dietary addition. Most of the hemp oil you see comes from hemp seeds. CBD oil, on the other hand, comes from the whole cannabis plant.
Hemp seeds and plants also contain CBD. As such, manufacturers need to separate CBD from other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and phytochemicals in the plant.
How to make CBD oil?
Manufacturers have various choices when it comes to extracting CBD and processing its oil. Whole-plant extraction, for instance, involves extracting CBD, THC, terpenes, and other cannabinoids in the hemp plant. Isolate extraction, on the other hand, offers pure CBD without THC and other compounds. Butane Hash Oil (BHO) and CO2 extraction are the two common processes available today. It involves heating the plant and passing a solvent (like fluid CO2 or ethanol) to dissolve all the active compounds and essential oils in the plant.
Manufacturers then use a combination of heat and pressure to purge out the solvent leaving a high concentration of cannabis compounds and oils. You can also prepare CBD oil at home.
This process involves finely grinding hemp flowers, seeds, or other parts before heating and mixing in the oil of your choice. Make sure you choose high-quality flowers and buds.
How to use CBD oil?
CBD is responsible for the medicinal properties of cannabis. As such, it is recommendable to use it for therapeutic benefits, which require a prescription from a professional doctor.
You can also add CBD to your health and fitness regimen. In this case, you only need a small amount for your cooking and baking. Although there are various ways to take CBD, you can use the oil in two main approaches as follows:
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Sublingual and oral ingestion
Taking CBD oil sublingually is a convenient and effective way to deliver the critical medical benefits of cannabis. You can use a dropper (tit pipette) to place a few drops of CBD oil under the tongue. Capillaries and other blood vessels in the mouth quickly absorb the active compounds. This makes the sublingual application quite potent. Ingesting CBD oil is another close method. You can add CBD oil to baked goods such as cakes and cookies or even include them in smoothies and shakes, tea, and beer. The onset of ingested CBD is a bit slower because of digestion and metabolism processes. However, it stays longer in your system, which is ideal for pain relief and other benefits. -
Topical application
Applying CBD massage oil on the skin is an effective method for targeting sore, exhausted muscles. It also suits those who want to get rid of skin infections such as psoriasis dermatitis, acne, and dry skin. Topical application mainly offers moisturization and therapeutic, relaxing effects. Unlike ingestion, it is highly unlikely that the CBD will appear in your system if you apply it on your skin. You can add oil to your bathing water or even use bodysprays. Your doctor will determine the best mode of delivery, depending on your unique needs. In some cases, you may combine oral ingestion with the topical application or even consider other methods of CBD delivery like vaping.
How well CBD oil benefits?
The medicinal benefits of CBD oil range from pain relief to improvements in sleep and appetite. The compound is currently available for treating seizures and epilepsy symptoms. However, it impacts many areas and surpasses its medical benefits. CBD is more like a micronutrient that can improve various aspects of your health. Once you ingest it, the active compounds attach to the CB-1 and CB-2 receptors in your body to cause multiple changes.
These receptors are part of the extensive endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates mood, appetite, sleep, metabolism, pain and emotions as well as immunity.
All humans have naturally occurring cannabinoids that are part of the ECS. Anandamide is a good example.
This fatty acid neurotransmitter can elevate your moods and calm your nerves during homeostasis. Some of the medical benefits of CBD include:
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Pain relief
According to studies, consuming CBD oil can aid in the treatment of chronic pain. This includes arthritis pain, injury pain, lower back, neck and shoulder pain, post-chemotherapy, surgery pain, postpartum pain, migraines and headaches, among others. As such, CBD oil is recommendable for pretty much all conditions that have pain as a symptom or side effect. It is a nerve tonic that aids relaxation and reduces spasms. The oil also soothes sore muscles and exhaustion. -
Seizures and epilepsy
CBD oil is mainly available for treating seizures, fainting and related epilepsy symptoms. It can prevent or reduce the likelihood of seizures. Besides, CBD oil also improves mental and cardiovascular health, which indirectly reduces the risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. -
Fighting cancer and inflammatory diseases
CBD oil has known anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling in different areas. CBD also helps to fight tumor and cancer cells. You can use it to prevent injury and post-surgery swelling as well as inflammatory autoimmune responses. CBD oil contains antioxidants that can help remove free radicals and oxidants from your system. This cleansing makes it much easier to combat foreign cells and inflammatory compounds. -
Sleep, rest and recovery
Through its interactions with the human endocannabinoid system, CBD oil can improve the quality of sleep you get. As a muscle and nerve tonic, CBD can relax and soothe you into a deep sleep. It slows down brain activity helping you fall asleep. Moreover, CBD relieves pain, migraine, muscle and mental exhaustion, allowing you to slumber into deep rest naturally. You can use CBD oil to treat poor sleep patterns and conditions like insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). -
Mood and appetite
CBD can elevate your spirit and increase your appetite for food. It is recommendable for cancer, AIDs and drug withdrawal patients who have an appetite and gastrointestinal issues. CBD also improves gut health, digestion and metabolism. Postmenopausal and postpartum women can use CBD to treat nausea and mood swings while increasing appetite. -
Anxiety and panic disorders
CBD oil can reduce anxiety, panic, fear and paranoia episodes. Doctors also prescribe it for depression and other mental health issues. CBD increases the level of feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters that also have a calming effect on both brain and body muscles. It can help relieve nervousness and symptoms of depression. CBD is recommendable for PPD (postpartum depression) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). It also relieves pain and resolves a myriad of other conditions. This ultimately reduces the risk of suffering from mental health issues.
How is CBD oil for dogs used?
CBD oil has the same effect on both humans and other mammals like dogs.
You can administer CBD oil if your dog suffers from seizures, arthritis, cancer, exhaustion and erratic behavior.
The best way to use CBD for dogs involves adding it to meals and treats. You can also use a dropper to place CBD oil under the dog’s tongue. However, dogs tend to pant with the tongue out, so most of the CBD might end up drooling out.
It is essential to discuss with your vet and find the best CBD oil dog products for the specific medical condition. Some formulas include other healthy micronutrients for your dog.
Make sure you follow the vet’s dosage and monitor any improvements or side effects.
Is CBD Oil Safe for prolonged use?
The consensus among most experts maintain that CBD is safe for human consumption. Information on long term use is scanty as this cannabinoid is relatively new in the medical market.
The main concern is about quality and formulation. Not all CBD oil you come across meets high standards of production. Plants and strains also vary from brand to brand.
It is essential to know where your CBD is coming from. Narrow it down to the farm and ensure you are getting the highest quality CBD.
It is also recommendable to ensure your CBD product contains not more than 0.3% THC.
Although this is the standard and legal requirement in various regions, you should still verify it.
Is CBD oil legal?
According to US federal law, hemp-derived CBD is legal as they contain less than 0.3% THC. In Canada, you can easily mail order CBD oil and other cannabis products.
Australia also permits the prescription of CBD products for selected medical conditions.
You should review your state laws carefully before purchasing CBD, especially since some regions prohibit prescribing any cannabis compounds to dogs and other pets.
Others have restrictions on the volume one can ship or transport.
CBD takes 3-5 days in the body and can leave traces. However, drug tests do not look for CBD. Instead, they test for THC and opiates.
As long as you consume CBD in moderation, you will have no THC toxicity issues.
Conclusion
Even as more places continue to legalize marijuana products, CBD is cementing its position as a viable compound for treating different health and fitness conditions.
Studies are also quite promising in various areas, including fighting cancer, enhancing sleep and recovery, soothing pain, treating seizures, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and skin diseases, among others.
When choosing CBD oil, you must choose high-quality products and brands from reputable retailers.
You can quickly browse user reviews to gain insights on what you can expect from a given dispensary.
CBD oil is an excellent addition to any health and fitness regimen, especially if you get high-quality products.
In addition to relieving various medical conditions, CBD oil can provide essential micronutrients for general health and wellness.