- The health benefits of CBD oil include reducing pain, treating epilepsy, and possibly relieving anxiety.
- You should not take CBD oil if you are pregnant or taking certain medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotics.
- Be sure to check your state’s CBD laws, as it’s illegal in some states, or you may need a medical card.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a type of chemical found in the same plant that produces weeds.
However, CBD is different from weed and will not make you “high”. This is because it does not contain the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, THC, which is the chemical responsible for the feeling of intoxication associated with the consumption of weeds.
Recently, CBD has gained strength in the scientific community for its ability to treat multiple conditions, from chronic pain to epilepsy. Here are some of the benefits of CBD oil and if science says it may be helpful for you.
1. CBD oil relieves pain
CBD has been widely studied as a natural, non-addictive way to manage and treat pain symptoms, especially as an alternative to opioids for patients with severe pain.
Although research in animals has found CBD to be a promising treatment for neuropathic pain and inflammatory pain, few studies have examined its effects in humans.
However, researchers know that CBD has antinociceptive and antihyperalgesic effects, meaning it can block the detection of pain by neurons and counteract pain sensitivity.
“CBD has more than 65 different targets in the brain and body, working on many receptors and other areas to change the messages that cells send each other. If the pain message is sent from one cell. In another, CBD can block or decrease this message, “says Bonni Goldstein, MD, medical director of Canna-Centers, a California-based medical practice dedicated to patients on the use of cannabis for health conditions. severe or chronic.
Goldstein says higher proportions of CBD to THC tend to be more effective for inflammatory pain like rheumatoid arthritis, while lower proportions are more effective for nerve-based pain like shingles.
A 2006 study found that the combination of THC and CBD increased the effectiveness of each cannabinoid in reducing pain and decreased the adverse effects of THC use alone.
“Studies clearly show that all types of pain respond better to products that contain both compounds instead of each alone,” Goldstein says.
2. CBD oil can treat epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which abnormal brain activity causes seizures. Recent studies show that CBD may be an effective treatment for epilepsy, although scientists are unsure of the exact mechanisms, Goldstein says.
A 2017 study of patients between the ages of two and 46 with treatment-resistant epilepsy found that 86% of patients experienced a reduction in seizures after consuming various formulations of artisanal CBD, which is CBD that contains small amounts of THC. Of the participants, 10% stated that they were free of seizures.
Another small 2018 study found that children taking a daily dose of 20 mg / kg of CBD oil saw a significant decrease in the frequency of seizures compared to a placebo. However, the study found that seizure intensity increased in patients taking CBD.
3. CBD oil can reduce anxiety
Early research has found that CBD can reduce the symptoms of a number of anxiety disorders, such as:
A small 2011 study of patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) found that 600 mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort when patients were subjected to a stressful situation such as public speaking.
Goldstein says CBD affects the brain in multiple ways, including improving the chemicals themselves that reduce brain anxiety and targeting serotonin receptors involved in mood.
“There is preliminary research pointing to neuroinflammation as the cause of anxiety. CBD is a potent, well-proven anti-inflammatory that may contribute to its anxiety-reducing effects,” Goldstein says.
Risks of CBD oil
However, much research on CBD oil is still preliminary and there are also several health risks to consider before using it.
It is not regulated. Unless you’re buying CBD with a medical card from a state-licensed store, known as a dispensary, or in a state where cannabis is legalized, you’ll need to navigate an unregulated market that is potentially full of “fakes” or low level. Quality CBD. Be sure to check your state’s laws and look for companies that participate in third-party testing before you buy CBD, Goldstein says.
It can interact with medications. CBD breaks down in the liver, where many other drugs are metabolized. Drugs that CBD can interact with include:
- Seizure medications such as Brivaracetam or Carbamazepine
- Chemotherapy drugs such as Everolimus
- Muscle relaxants such as chlorzoxazone
- Respiratory drugs such as theophylline
- Medications for high blood pressure such as Verapamil or Propranolol
- Antidepressants such as amitriptyline
- Antipsychotic drugs such as Haloperidol or Clozapine
“Anyone with serious medical conditions who take medications should avoid using CBD without medical supervision,” Goldstein says. “Patients taking certain medications, such as anticoagulants or other medications for serious illnesses, should always have medical supervision.”
It can be unsafe if you are pregnant. Although there is a lack of research studying the effects of CBD on pregnant women and their children, the FDA recommends that pregnant and lactating women avoid CBD oil.
Animal studies have shown that maternal or paternal exposure to CBD and THC can hinder proper fetal development, and unregulated CBD products may be contaminated with substances that could harm fetuses or breastfed infants.
It can have side effects. CBD is often well tolerated, but adverse reactions can occur at higher doses. These side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Sedation
- Worsening of seizures in people with epilepsy
- Decreased appetite
How to use CBD oil safely
In 2018, the U.S. Congress passed a bill regulating the production of hemp, or cannabis with extremely low levels of THC, which allowed it to be grown and manufactured into products. But not all states have adjusted their laws, so CBD is still illegal in some states, such as Idaho, Nebraska and Iowa.
In states where CBD is legal, you must be 18 or 21 years old to purchase it, and be sure to check local laws before traveling across state borders with it.
Although there are several ways to consume CBD, it seems that oral consumption is the preferred method. This is because vaporizing and smoking can cause damage to the lungs. In addition, topical application may be difficult to measure the dose.
Popular consumption methods include:
- Oral consumption (oils, tinctures, pills, edibles)
- Smoking or steaming
- Topical application (creams, lotions, transdermal patches)
- Intranasal consumption (sprays)
CBD has a very wide therapeutic range, with doses ranging from 10 mg per day to 800 mg per day. “The only way to find the dose is to start with a low dose and increase it gradually, looking for the dose that gives the best effects,” Goldstein says.
Takeaway food
Although more human studies are needed, CBD appears to be a promising therapeutic tool for a number of conditions such as anxiety, epilepsy, and chronic pain. If you want to try it, be sure to investigate your state’s laws and consult with a doctor to make sure you consume it safely and legally.
