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Cannabis sativa contains a chemical called cannabidiol (CBD), which is also known as cannabis or hemp. In the United States, one specific type of CBD has been authorized as a seizure medication.
The Cannabis sativa plant contains approximately 80 chemicals known as cannabinoids. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most well-known component in cannabis. CBD, on the other hand, comes from hemp, a type of Cannabis sativa plant that only contains tiny amounts of THC. CBD has been observed to modify some brain chemicals in ways that differ from those altered by THC.
Although many people believe that cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid present in cannabis plants that has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration to treat epileptic seizures, this is not the case. CBD is also utilized to alleviate anxiety, pain, muscular dystrophy called dystonia, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, and a variety of other ailments without the support of scientific evidence.
Hemp has been legal in the United States since 2018, when several new laws were passed. However, that does not signify that all CBD goods manufactured from hemp are lawful. Because CBD is a licensed prescription medication, it cannot lawfully be included in food or dietary supplements. Only “cosmetic” items may contain CBD. However, there are still dietary supplements on the market that include CBD. The amount of CBD in these items isn’t always accurate as stated on the label.
What is CBD oil?
The chemical name for CBD, like that of all other cannabinoids, is delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol. Cannabinoids are chemicals present in the cannabis plant that alter human behavior when ingested. CBD is one of many cannabinoids (compounds) found in the plant. Researchers have studied possible therapeutic applications of CBD.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the components in cannabis. These substances have varied effects.
Until quite recently, THC was the most well-known component in cannabis. It is the most powerful component and has a psychological impact. When a person smokes it or cooks with it, it generates a mind-altering “high.” This is due to the fact that THC is destroyed when heat is applied to it and introduced into the body.
CBN, on the other hand, does not have a mind-altering effect. It has no ill effects on a person’s health. Its major benefits are as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant treatment for neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
Where does CBD come from?
CBD is a chemical found in the cannabis plant. Hemp and marijuana are the names given to cannabis plants depending on their amount of THC.
Hemp plants are legal under the Farm Bill as long as they contain less than 0.3 percent THC, according to the FDA.
Over time, marijuana growers have developed plants with high amounts of THC and other components that suited their needs through selective breeding.
Hemp, on the other hand, does not require any modifications. CBD oil is produced from these legal hemp plants.
How CBD works
Cannabinoids have receptors in the brain and throughout the body, which are part of the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system has been linked to a variety of functions ranging from pain relief to appetite regulation.
The body produces two receptors:
- Cannabinoid receptors CB1 are widely distributed in the body, especially in the brain. They control movement, pain, emotion, mood, thinking, hunger, memories, and a variety of other activities.
- Cannabinoid receptors CB2 are more common in the immune system. Inflammation and pain are influenced by them.
THC binds to CB1 receptors, although CBD activates trusted sources such as the ECS, causing the body to generate its own cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids.
Is cannabidiol legal?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a non-intoxicating compound found in the cannabis plant. While it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for several medical indications, there are currently no FDA-approved medications that contain pure CBD. Cannabidiol is readily available throughout the United States, however its legal status has been fluctuating. All 50 states have laws legalize CBD with variable degrees of restriction. The FDA eased regulatory requirements in December 2015 to allow researchers to perform CBD studies. In 2018, hemp was declared lawful in the United States, making it near-impossible to keep CBD illegal – that would be akin to legalizing oranges but criminalizing orange juice.
The Farm Bill eliminated hemp-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, which criminalizes the possession of controlled substances. This means that CBD is legal if it comes from hemp but not if it comes from cannabis (marijuana), even though they are both molecules. Many people now purchase CBD online without a medical marijuana license, which is permitted in most states.
The evidence for cannabidiol health benefits
The strongest scientific evidence for the efficacy of CBD in treating some of the most severe childhood epilepsynetwork Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which don’t respond to antiseizure medications, comes from studies on CBD’s effectiveness in treating these cruelest epileptic disorders. CBD was successful in decreasing the number of seizures and, in certain situations, ending them completely in several research. Epidiolex, a cannabis-derived medication containing CBD, is the first FDA-approved drug for these disorders.
CBD may help with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, nausea and vomiting, as demonstrated by animal studies and self-reports or research in people.
- CBD has been shown to help with anxiety in several studies and clinical trials.
- Insomnia. CBD has been shown to aid in both falling asleep and remaining asleep, according to studies.
- Chronic pain. It’s possible that cannabis extracts might be used to treat pain. While CBD has shown promise in animal studies, human research is still needed to confirm these claims. When applied to the skin, CBD reduced pain and inflammation caused by arthritis in rats according to one study from the European Journal of Pain. According to other research, CBD may help reduce inflammatory and neuropathic pain that is difficult to relieve.
- Addiction. According to certain research in humans, CBD may help decrease nicotine and heroin cravings under specific circumstances. Animal models of addiction have suggested that it might aid with the reduction of alcohol, cannabis, opiates, and stimulant cravings.
Is CBD safe?
CBD has been linked to a number of negative effects, including nausea, tiredness, and irritability. CBD competes for liver enzymes that break down medications in the blood, which can lead to an increase in the amount of blood thinning and other medicines in your body. Grapefruit can have a similar impact on some medicines.
Some people who use a lot of CBD have revealed abnormalities in liver-related blood tests. Many non-prescription medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have the same impact. If you’re using CBD on a regular basis, you should tell your doctor.
CBD is not yet regulated by the FDA, owing to its legal status as a supplement rather than a drug. The FDA does not oversee the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements at this time. As a result, you can’t trust that the goods you’re buying contain active components at the amount stated on the label. Furthermore, other unknown substances may be inside. We also don’t know what is considered the optimal therapeutic dosage of CBD for any particular medical situation.
How can CBD be taken?
There are several ways to consume CBD, including oils, extracts, capsules, patches, vapes, and topical applications for the skin. If you want to reduce inflammation and alleviate muscular and joint pain with a topical CBD-infused oil, lotion or cream – or even a bath bomb – this may be your best bet. A CBC patch or a tincture or spray meant to be placed beneath the tongue instead allows CBD to enter the circulation directly.
Outside of the United States, Sativex, which includes CBD as a active component, is authorized for the treatment of muscular spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and cancer pain. Epidiolex is allowed in the US for two types of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and tuberous sclerosis.
The bottom line
CBD has been linked to a laundry list of exaggerated, indefensible claims, including that it is a cure-all for cancer or COVID-19, which it is not. CBD may prove to be a beneficial, relatively non-toxic anxiety treatment with more study. We can’t determine effective doses until there’s more high-quality evidence in humans because CBD is presently available as an unregulated supplement; it’s also difficult to know exactly what you’re consuming since CBD is commonly sold as an unregulated supplement.
If you decide to experiment with CBD, make sure you get it from a reliable source. Also, talk to your doctor to ensure that it does not interfere with any other medicines you take.
