Cannabidiol, or more commonly known as CBD, is a compound found in the hemp plant. It is said that CBD has many health benefits but currently, CBD products are not regulated by the FDA. They are however considered legal if they contain less than 3% THC. Many people who use CBD claim that it helps ease anxiety, pain, and even depression. There is currently not enough research for these claims to be approved by doctors and because of this, it is advised that you speak to your doctor before administering any CBD product. If you’d like to know more about CBD and why you should consider trying it, here are a few things you need to know.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the main active ingredients in the marijuana plant, more specifically hemp. Unlike the other main active ingredient THC, CBD does not have any psychoactive effect. Many people use CBD medically to treat a variety of conditions such as depression, anxiety, pain, and even the side effects of chemotherapy. Many medical doctors claim that there is not yet sufficient evidence to claim the healing powers of CBD however, many users advocate that this plant has helped them heal holistically. In the past, cannabis in all forms was illegal and you could even be criminalized however, in recent years, legalization has spread and CBD is now federally legal as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.
How to consume it?
There are many ways to consume CBD so regardless of your personal preference, you will find a method to suit your needs. A few popular consumption methods include:
- Dry herb vaporizers: These are handheld inhalation devices that are battery-powered and produce vapor instead of smoke which makes them healthier than more traditional inhalation methods such as joints. These devices also heat the herb instead of burning it and you have the option of choosing your own desired heating temperature for personalized effects, however, you will still need a grinder, like these, to work effectively.
- Edibles: Edibles are food, baked goods, and drinks that contain cannabis and you consume them orally. When consumed, they get processed in your digestive system and your liver which can take as long as 2 hours, however when the effects kick in, it can last upward of 12 hours. Edibles are notoriously more intense than other consumption methods.
- Topicals: these are lotions, creams, oils, etc that contain cannabis and can be used directly on your skin allowing you to target problem areas such as acne, eczema, and even sore muscles from exercise.
- Tinctures: Tinctures are dry cannabis that has been dissolved in alcohol to form a liquid that you consume sublingually. Place 2-3 drops underneath your tongue and then swallow after 2 minutes.
These methods are the most popular and each caters to a specific need and customer. Dry herb vaporizers are by far the most popular on this list.
Pain relief
CBD is most commonly used for pain relief and it has been proven effective. When consumed, CBD interacts with the pain receptors in the brain which reduces pain significantly. CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties and there are no negative side effects when taking CBD as treatment. Typically, we would pop a pill to numb pain however, pharmaceuticals have known side effects which is why CBD is seen as a better alternative. CBD is 100% natural and the best way to consume it for pain relief depends on the type of pain experienced. For example, muscle and joint pain will benefit from topicals.
Reduce anxiety and depression
CBD induces a state of relaxation and calm which helps fight off anxiety. CBD is also a natural mood regulator and stimulates serotonin release which makes it an ideal treatment for depression. This is a holistic way to treat conditions that usually require harmful pharmaceuticals that can create dependency. It’s best to consume via tinctures.
Better sleep
Sleeping disorders affect many people in society and instead of addictive sleeping pills, CBD can be used to treat this condition holistically. CBD relaxes and calms your entire body which makes it ideal for consumption just before bedtime. CBD has also been shown to increase the duration of sleep as well as the quality of sleep. Tinctures, edibles, or vaping is the ideal consumption method.
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