The Skinny on CBD Oil
No, it is not marijuana and no, it doesn’t get you high but what it does do is so much more. This is not your stoner drug and yes, CBD is legal in all 50 states. Since marijuana legalization has been allowed in a handful of American states, CBD (cannabidiol) oil, also called hemp oil, has become more available and a product people are starting to see more of due to the allowance of hemp crop growth. CBD, or cannabidiol, contains cannabinoids and there are many types of cannabinoid molecules. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found naturally in many plants but in highest amount in the hemp plant. THC, tetrahydrocannabinol is also a cannabinoid, but it is the psychoactive kind, whereas CBD is one of many non-psychoactive cannabinoids discovered. Let’s be honest, there is not a lot of good information or evidence out there clarifying the facts about cannabinoids thus the necessity of this article addressing the basics and facts about what CBD oil is, what it is not, and what it is doing for people.
As there are different parts of any plant, the same goes for the hemp, or cannabis, plant. There are many species of the Cannabis family; some are better for use as a rotation crop, some better for high CBD oil levels, and some are chosen for their buds to harvest for marijuana products that are high in THC. The cannabis plant has a stalk, stems, leaves, flowers, buds, and seeds. The stalk and stems are very fibrous and used for clothing, paper, construction materials, and compostable plastic-like products. Hemp seeds are nutritive edible seeds that are commonly used in foods for added fiber and nutrients; hemp seeds contain no THC. CBD oil is extracted from the whole plant, particularly the flowers. When people think of marijuana, they are thinking of the skunky smelling bud, which is harvested for it’s THC content. The hemp plant is actually a very hardy and sustainable plant that, if it were allowed, would be one of the best rotation crops for farmers around the world because it is very nutritive, requires little water, and replenishes soils better than most other crops. The hemp plant also does not require all the pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides that are required for most, if not all, rotation crops.
So let’s get into some of the science of CBD. All cannabinoids so far isolated are derived from long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs are your healthy fatty acids that help decrease inflammation, the risk of cardiovascular events, and bad cholesterol levels. As we ingest cannabinoids, our body uses the compounds as part of our endocannabinoid system. This system is comprised of receptors that are predominantly in our neuro-endo-immune cell membranes. The two receptors we see the most interaction with are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors are most concentrated in our neurological system in the brain and CB2 are predominantly found in our immune tissue and cells. This means that when you ingest CBD, it binds to these receptors on these cells in our neurological, endocrine, and immune system thus inducing a cascade of various effects in your body. Effects on your body include systemic anti-inflammation through our immune system, calming the nervous system and reducing pain, hormone balancing, and many other processes that we are still exploring.
Ailments CBD oil is commonly used to for:
Arthritis or rheumatic conditions
Joint and muscle pains
Migraines and chronic headaches
Local or systemic inflammation
Certain tremors and epilepsy
IBS and other gastrointestinal spasticity or motility disorders
Nausea/Vomit
Infertility
Anxiety, depression
Insomnia
Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
Certain Cancers
More
Each CBD product is created differently by means of quality, strength, dosage form, and molecular form. Some CBD oil products are meant for external use only while others are both for internal and external use so be sure it is clear how the product is supposed to be administered. If you choose to use CBD product, please use your best judgment when purchasing a product as there have been cases of CBD oils being tainted with other drugs or not actually containing CBD. This is due to the fact that most CBD products are not FDA regulated like most supplements. When purchasing a CBD product, always ask about the level of CBD and THC, where the product was made, and who the manufacturer is. Some CBD products also contain small or moderate amounts of THC so be sure to verify with the distributor about the level of THC in the product as some levels of THC are detectable on drug tests. The detection of THC on drug tests also depends on the chronicity of product use so the longer a product is used, the higher the likelihood THC will be detectable.
The future of CBD and the hemp plant is looking very positive yet uncertain. The current legislature is changing on a regular basis in favor and against the growth and use of hemp products. Many of the pharmaceutical companies are doing some very fast studying and research on the endocannabinoid system to develop more drugs that target this system to benefit the pharmaceutical industry. I will be honest; this is how we got into the pharmaceutical mess in the first place. Because there are agendas and mad money to be made with drugs that are extracted from our beautiful plant, it will be done.
When using a true, organic CBD oil extract from a real plant, you will get more health benefits and effects than taking a drug made in a lab. When we respect and honor the whole plant for health and healing, our body responds in a positive way.
HERE TO EMPOWER YOU WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTHINESS,
DR. MEG
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. There are no financial ties to any supplement companies, pharmaceutical companies, or to any of the products mentioned in this post. This post is not meant to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose conditions or diseases and is meant for educational purposes. As always, please consult your doctor before trying any new treatments or supplements.
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