One of the most popular products in the health and wellness industry today is CBD Oil. It has become so trendy that you can now find so many brands sold in wellness stores and over the internet. CBD Oil is often sold in small bottles resembling essential oils with a dropper. Most people take CBD oil orally by putting drops under the tongue until it is absorbed by the body. Some users mix CBD Oil in food products like brownies, chocolate bars, and candy to disguise its taste. There are also beauty and skin products that incorporate CBD Oil.
For people who are not familiar with this product, they might think that CBD Oil is similar to other beneficial oils like coconut oil or other essential oils, but the truth is, it is quite different because of its source. To learn more about CBD Oil, here are seven useful pieces of information about this product.
1. CBD Oil is extracted from Cannabis Sativa plant
To produce CBD Oil, resin from the stalks of cannabis sativa plants is extracted and then diluted with carrier oils like olive oil or coconut oil. Many people are often surprised to learn that CBD, which stands for “cannabidiol”, comes from cannabis sativa plants like hemp and marijuana. While hemp and marijuana are taxonomically the same plant that even look and smell the same, the ratio of their components make them quite different.
Both hemp and marijuana contain the two major compounds CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the psychoactive compound that produces mind-altering effects. Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC as compared to marijuana, which has a higher level of THC. This is why most CBD products marketed for medicinal use often comes from hemp plants. However, there are also products now that extract CBD from marijuana plants.
2. CBD Oil is non-psychoactive
Even if CBD is closely associated with marijuana, that does not mean you will get high when using it. As already explained above, CBD is different with the psychoactive compound THC. If the oil that you are taking is pure CBD Oil then you really have nothing to worry about because it will not get you high. Because it does not alter the mind, pure CBD oil is non-addictive.
However, you have to be aware that if a product states that it contains THC in addition to the CBD, then there is a chance for you to get psychoactive effects. Products with CBD Oil are also different from marijuana infused products like marijuana brownies, marijuana infused beverages and other marijuana edibles because these products with marijuana have higher THC in them so it is possible to get high or even experience harmful effects.
3. CBD Oil has pain-relieving properties
There are numerous studies suggesting that CBD is a compound that can help in relieving pain. Many people who use CBD Oil do so in order to treat chronic pain and reduce inflammation in the body. Instead of taking prescription medications like opioids, which can be addictive, CBD Oil is seen as a natural alternative.
4. CBD Oil is being used to treat a variety of ailments
Aside from treating pain, CBD is also being used in the treatment of various ailments such as epilepsy and mental health disorders. CBD Oil is also being touted as a cure for substance addiction. Other conditions wherein CBD Oil is deemed helpful include the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Heart health
- Acne and skin conditions
- Cancer-related symptoms
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Muscle spasms
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Eating disorders and appetite loss
- Migraines
- Inflammation
- Nausea
- Glaucoma
5. CBD Oil side effects
While most people do not experience negative side effects, there are studies showing that the use of CBD may trigger some side effects including increased anxiety, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, and changes in mood or appetite.
6. CBD Oil without THC is legal in all 50 states
If your CBD Oil is hemp-derived, meaning it has less than 0.3% THC then it is legal in all 50 states in the US. However, if your CBD Oil is marijuana derived and has higher levels of THC, some states consider this product illegal.
7. CBD Oil could be contaminated with THC
The US Food and Drug Administration or FDA does not yet regulate CBD products including CBD Oil. What this means is that there is really no guarantee whether the CBD Oil you’re buying is pure CBD. A recent study found that 70% of CBD products sold online were mislabeled with products either not having the amount of CBD indicated, not having CBD at all, having high levels of THC, or mixed with dangerous contaminants.
A contaminated bottle of CBD Oil can be harmful especially if it contains THC. Some people have found themselves fail a drug test because of CBD Oil because they were not aware that what they were using was contaminated with THC.
When buying CBD Oil, make sure that you’re purchasing from a certified dispensary or a reputable supplier. If you want to use CBD Oil for medical purposes, it is best to consult with a professional to know whether CBD will be beneficial to your condition.
If you are struggling with substance abuse and are considering CBD Oil as a potential treatment, we recommend that you consult with a licensed addiction treatment center to get a comprehensive program that can help. Contact Morningside Recovery to learn more.