I’m sure you have heard all of the hubbub about CBD going around. It is all over the news, all over the internet and I’m sure most stores in your town are selling it in one form or the other.
So what exactly is CBD? Is it safe to use for everyone? What should you look for when you are wanting to take that leap of faith and buy some?
In this article, I will go over exactly those things: what CBD is, what are some of the health benefits that people are saying CBD could have, and what things should you be looking for when you are shopping for CBD oil.
So let’s start with the basics. What is CBD and where does it exactly come from?
What Is CBD?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of many cannabinoids, or chemical compounds, found in cannabis and hemp. Even though it comes from cannabis plants, CBD doesn’t cause a “high” effect or cause any form of intoxication — that’s caused by another cannabinoid, known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). All this to say, if you use CBD, you are getting all of the so-called “health benefits” of cannabis but are not getting that “high” feeling that many people are looking to avoid.
CBD comes in many forms. Here are a few of the most common forms:
- Creams and lotions
- Capsules and pills
- Edibles
- Vaping
- Oils and tinctures
CBD Oil Uses & Benefits
So let’s talk about some of the health benefits that people are saying CBD can provide. While there’s pretty limited (and conflicting!) research on CBD oil right now, we can expect a lot more studies to happen in the next few years as CBD oil becomes more popular in the U.S.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic Disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Pain
- Sleep Problems
- Digestion
- Bone Structure
- Appetite Control
- Asthma
- Glaucoma
CBD Oil for Pain
A few of the best ways to use CBD for pain would be a topical ointment such as a lotion, body butter, or a massage cream. You would want to take about a dime-sized amount of the ointment and rub unto the area that is causing you pain. You can also try using the oil orally – normally by placing some oil under your tongue with a dropper – as this is another way to get the CBD benefits.
CBD Oil for Anxiety
The best application for helping with anxiety would be taking it orally. You can take the recommended dose orally, and it should help with some of the anxiety-related symptoms.
CBD Oil for Sleep
The best application for sleep would be to take the CBD oil orally. Make sure that you are going by the recommended dose, and to always check with your doctor before trying anything new.
CBD Oil Side Effects
There is not a lot of research out there on possible side effects, as this is still a new product in the medical world. From what little research that has been done these are the most common side effects that COULD happen: dry mouth, low blood pressure, light-headedness, and drowsiness.
How to Shop for CBD Oil
Now that we know what CBD is and what it can help with, let’s talk about what you should look for on the packaging and ingredients list.
The short answer to this question would be to educate yourself on what makes a CBD product high-quality! As with buying anything new for the first time, make sure to do your research!
There are tons and tons of companies out there today that are selling CBD. Some of the CBD is low quality or contains a higher amount of THC. When you are looking at purchasing CBD you need to know what you personally are hoping the CBD will help you with, as this will determine what kind, and what dose of CBD is appropriate for you.
As the industry continues to grow and the marketplace becomes more swamped with products, it has become way more important for consumers to know what to look for when buying CBD oil.
1. The THC Content
While THC is legal in a handful of states, it still remains illegal in many. For a CBD product to qualify as a legal hemp product, it must contain less than 0.3% THC. This is the amount that is typically regarded as safe and should not impose the intoxicating effects of THC. For some, the amount of THC in the product may not matter, but if you will be operating heavy machinery or taking a drug test in a state where cannabis is illegal, you will need to find a CBD product that is at or under the 0.3% mark.
2. Third-Party Testing
This is the most important detail of what to look for when buying CBD oil. If a product has been third-party tested, then lab reports should be readily available somewhere on the company’s website. These testing results would need to be done by a third party, but by the company selling the oil. Any company can tell you that their product is pure. Unless they can provide proof of testing that proves this claim, you cannot trust that this statement is true.
3. Concentration
The concentration, or amount of CBD in the product, is important because it lets you know how much you get with each dose. Products should state not only how much CBD is in the entire container, but also in each dose. It is important to know just how much you’re consuming. If you are taking any other medication, prescription or over-the-counter, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some medications may interact with CBD, so it’s always best to ask, just to be safe.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
CBD Oil is approved for medical use in most states and over-the-counter use in many. Laws are constantly changing, so any advice given here could be out of date by next week. We recommend checking your state’s current guidelines on CBD oil before ordering it online.
How will you take advantage of all the CBD oil uses and benefits??
So there you have it, folks. You now know the general points of what CBD actually is, what it can help with when it comes to your health, and how to shop around to get the best quality product.