Even if you have never heard of CBD before, you may have seen it mentioned in the media as an ingredient in your post-workout milkshake or a cup of cappuccino. Even a CBD-infused sports bra is now available for purchase. To begin with, what does Cannabidiol do? What is so appealing about it?
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What Distinguishes Cannabidiol From Cannabis, Hemp, and Other Related Cannabinoids?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the second most common active component in cannabis (marijuana). As a constituent of medicinal marijuana, CBD is either extracted from the hemp plant or produced in a laboratory.
A part of cannabis, CBD does not generate a “high” on its own. It is only one of several components. When administered, CBD shows no signs of misuse or dependency. Pure CBD has not been linked to any public health issues this far.
Is the Use of CBD Legal in the United States?
Yes, technically, but the solution isn’t as simple as it would seem at first glance. There are a large number of distinct strains of the cannabis plant. Although the DEA has handled them for generations, they classified cannabis as a Schedule I drug. There are no recognized medicinal uses and significant potential for misuse of Schedule I medications; hence they are unlawful to create or possess.
When it comes to the farm bill, things have altered dramatically. The Farm Bill made “hemp,” which was described as cannabis with less than 0.3 percent THC, legal across the United States. That is why you need a Colorado Certified Hemp Testing Laboratory to ensure your product meets the set guidelines.
CBD products derived from hemp plants are lawful, but those derived from marijuana plants are banned under federal law, regardless of local regulations. Because of problems like cross-pollination and the lack of industry oversight, even if it does originate from a hemp plant, there is no assurance that it won’t include THC. For some years, the FDA has been looking for methods to research and regulate CBD. There are currently no FDA-approved or authorized over-the-counter cannabidiol, and there is no federal mandate for CBD products.
The Health Benefits of Cannabidiol
Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) are two of the most severe forms of pediatric epilepsy. CBD is useful in treating these conditions, which often do not respond to antiseizure drugs.
While CBD has been shown to lessen seizures, it has been able to halt their progression entirely in certain situations. On the internet, you may see videos of the positive benefits of CBD on these youngsters and their seizures. Epidiolex, which includes CBD, was recently authorized by the FDA as the first cannabis-derived drug for these diseases.
Anxiety is a primary reason people turn to CBD, and research suggests that it may also assist those who have trouble sleeping and remain asleep at night.
You may treat various kinds of chronic pain with CBD. According to animal research published in the European Journal of Pain, topically applying CBD to the skin reduces pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
The mechanism by which CBD reduces inflammation and neuropathic pain, two of the most challenging chronic pain types to treat, was also established in another research. More human studies are required to verify the pain-relieving claims of CBD proponents.
Is It Safe to Use CBD Products?
The regulatory system does not guarantee that these items are tested, properly labeled, and free of contamination. You can’t tell how much someone should take or know whether it’s improving their disease, and we still don’t know which people benefit most from CBD vs. another therapeutic intervention since there is no way to identify how much someone should take.
Anxiety, sleeplessness, PTSD, chronic pain, and even autism are among the most frequent conditions for which scientists are studying CBD.
We don’t have any proof that using CBD for general well-being is a good idea for anybody. Chronic pharmaceutical use affects the body’s physiology. It may be damaging. Hemp was recently granted regulatory authority by the US Food and Drug Administration, which subsequently limits CBD. It is currently against the law to sell CBD as a dietary supplement or an ingredient in the food.
Unfounded claims that CBD is a cancer treatment or a panacea for COVID-19 have landed several companies in water with the federal authorities. It is too early to tell if CBD may assist people with anxiety, sleeplessness, and chronic pain in a safe, non-addictive way.
We can’t specify adequate amounts because of the lack of high-quality information from human trials. Since CBD is presently accessible as an unregulated supplement, knowing what you are receiving is challenging.
It will help if you get your CBD from a reliable supplier. Also, please arrange an appointment with your physician to confirm that it will not interfere with any other medications you are already taking.
