CBD Oil – Its Uses and Effects on the Body

The days of reefer madness are long gone with the marijuana gold rush sweeping the nation. The stigma of cannabis is lessening as they are finding medicinal benefits without the adverse side effects that most pharmaceutical medicines have. There are, on the other hand, psychotropic side effects from the THC compound found in marijuana. That is where cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, comes in.

Closely related to cannabis without the psychotropic side effects, CBD is becoming the go-to for pain relief. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has removed CBD from the 2018 Prohibited List allowing athletes to use it in and out of competition.

The nuts and bolts of CBD have to do with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that helps regulate immune system responses, sleep and pain. Anandamide is a compound associated with this system and helps to inhibit pain. As levels of this compound increase in the blood, the less pain a person may feel. CBD stops the body from absorbing anandamide.

Is CBD oil right for you?

A recent study has shown that CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to target certain receptors associated with inflammation. That is great news if ibuprofen or any other type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is a part of your daily regimen to fight off neuropathic or inflammatory pain.

CBD has no known negative health consequences that ibuprofen and NSAIDs have from repeatedly taking these medications. In addition to the anti-inflammatory benefits that CBD has shown, there has been preclinical evidence that CBD can reduce anxiety behaviors associated with multiple disorders making it a better choice than Valium or Xanax, which have side effects.

How to Take and Use CBD Oil

Introducing CBD to the body can take on many forms such as gummies, butter, cookies, sublingual oil and topical cream – just to name a few. Reading a few articles on the subject has lead me to believe that a transdermal CBD cream is best for localized pain or soreness. The transdermal CBD cream can be absorbed through the skin, penetrating the soft tissue and muscle, and eventually enters the bloodstream. Most lotions and creams stay on the skin and do not penetrate to the bloodstream. Oral CBD, such as sublingual oil must work its way through the kidneys causing it to lose some of its potency along the way.

If this is just a fad, it has yet to be determined as more clinical trials need to be done to adamantly prove the efficacy of CBD. As with most herbs or health related products it is best to discuss it with your primary care physician before use.

To yours in better health!

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