Depending on where you live in the United States, CBD retailers have been popping up almost overnight. Media attention concerning the product has also surged and almost every print and online source has numerous articles regarding use of legal CBD to treat a variety of health conditions. So, the question remains, “What is Hemp-based CBD?” Can it work for me?
More and more research has been (and continues to be) conducted about this “mysterious” product that constantly stirs up controversy. Is it really marijuana? Will I get high if I use it? What is its value? We will answer your questions here.
Marijuana comes from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant and contains more than .3 percent THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is the main non-psychotropic chemical found only in the cannabis sativa plant and is used to treat health issues like chronic pain and epilepsy, without providing the “high” that results from marijuana use. CBD is only one of up to 100 cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant.
Many states have strict laws against marijuana-based CBD and only permit its use for very sick children. However, according to the federal government, it is an illegal drug. Why, then, can you find CBD products in stores and online across the country?
The difference lies between CBD that comes from hemp and that which comes from marijuana. Pot is grown to harvest the buds. These contain the properties that will get users stoned. Hemp is yielded from the stalks and seeds. While a little THC is present in hemp, it is less than .3 percent.
Hemp-based CBD oil contains only minute traces of CBD, about 3.5 percent, and CBD oil can have as much as 20 percent. The oil with the higher concentration of CBD is what is used for treatment of health issues – much like pharmaceutical grade medication. Hemp-based CBD is more like a vitamin that contains high amounts of magnesium and potassium and is available in health food stores virtually everywhere. It is legal in the United States.
While marijuana-based CBD use, whether ingested or smoked, is associated with feelings of pain relief, euphoria, paranoia and excess anxiety, this is not the case with hemp-based CBD.
Early indications suggest that legal CBD reduces nausea and nervousness, lowers depression levels, has anti-psychotic and anti-inflammatory properties and can even fight tumors in the body. Studies are now showing that hemp-based CBD might be an excellent alternative treatment option for diabetes and multiple sclerosis. It could also improve overall well-being and healthy skin and hair. It contains anti-seizure properties and can be used in cancer treatment. Other benefits to using CBD might be:
- Reducing side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea and vomiting
- Treating acne because of its ability to lessen sebum production and anti-inflammatory properties
- Improving the lives of those with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
- Increasing heart health by lowering blood pressure
- Lessening the occurrence of psychotic episodes for those with mental disorders like schizophrenia
- Helping substance abusers reduce drug dependence
- Preventing the spread of lung, prostate, colon, brain and breast cancer
Those with RA or rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, who use CBD see a decrease in inflammation and pain in the joints of the hands and feet. Patients with osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease, also report less inflammation and pain from using CBD. This compound showed promise in a 2017 study for OA use.
One distinct advantage of using hemp-based CBD is that it can be used by all individuals – children, women who are pregnant or nursing and people who are unable to utilize pharmaceutical medication for one reason or another.
CBD can be used as a powder or oil, which can be utilized to make topical gels and creams to apply to the skin. It is also available as an oral spray or can be generated into a capsule form for ingestion. As with any treatment, it is a good idea to talk with your physician before using CBD.
There are a few side effects possible when taking or using CBD, although the majority of people handle the compound well. Some people may experience irritability, nausea, difficulty sleeping and being tired.
There are many current studies in place that are studying the effectiveness of legal CBD and its uses for a variety of health conditions. Talk with your local retailer about using hemp-based CBD for your health concerns and the best type of product that will meet your needs. What is hemp-based CBD? Its benefits for common health issues are obviously the future of non-conventional medical care.
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