What are cbd oil benefits?
Before we get into the nitty gritties, lets us understand what does CBD stand for?
Many people who suffer from pain and other conditions have turned to hemp oil to help with their condition.
In addition, many people want to try this oil as a supplement or as an alternative to traditional medicine.
As a CBD enthusiast, I have done extensive research before writing this article.
If you’re looking to find out more about what the benefits of CBD are, then you’ve come to the right place.
So, without wasting any time, let's dive in.
What is CBD oil?
Cannabidiol is also known as CBD in common parlance, is obtained from the cannabis plant.
In recent times, there has been an increase in the use of CBD due to the health benefits associated with it.
Cannabidiol is the chemical compound that is found in the cannabis or the marijuana plant.
This is where the possible connection of marijuana restricts many people from using CBD.
A point needs to be clear here, that the psychoactive compound THC is absent in CBD and therefore it doesn't make you high like other drugs.
Medical marijuana has also been in use for some ailments.
CBD oil benefits can be related to several medical conditions. The FDA also states that less than 0.3% THC in CBD oils is treated as legal.
CBD has to be diluted with some carrier oil so that the application is easy.
What is the CBD Oil Dosage?
There is no exact prescribed dose for taking CBD oil.
A 30 ml bottle of CBD oil will have nearly 600 drops of oil.
If used as a tincture, one drop would have nearly 2.5 mg of CBD oil.
The dosage would depend on your weight, age, the cause which is to be treated, the power of the oil used, tolerance to CBD, your body chemistry, etc.
You should start with low doses initially and this too after consultation with your doctor.
Some people may take as low as 1 mg and some others may be prescribed as high as 100 mg.
The dose also depends on the way you are going to use CBD oil.
It can be in capsule form, gummies, vapour, drops, etc. Read the instructions on the cover of the product to find out its potency.
What are the Different Types of CBD?
Typically, 3 main types of CBD are present, namely:
- Full-spectrum CBD contains all ingredients of the cannabis plant and also a very small amount of THC.
- Broad-spectrum CBD contains all components of the plant except the THC factor.
- The CBD isolate is exclusively CBD only.
What do we know about the legality of CBD oil?
The cannabidiol oil is obtained from the Cannabis plant as we have seen above.
This contains many variants, out of which some of them like Marijuana, have more than the recommended amount of THC content.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to be considered legal, the quantity of THC should be less than 0.3%. [1]
There is another derivative of the cannabidiol plant, than Hemp which adheres to the minimum prescribed by the FDA.
If CBD oil is made from hemp plants, it is considered legal.
Still, some states may consider this illegal, so the state laws are to be followed when you carry CBD, especially when you are travelling.
Nearly 50 U.S. states have legalized CBD with varying levels of restrictions.
A very important decision in this regard is the Farm Bill, which made hemp legal in the U.S.
Hemp has been removed from the controlled substances Act, and you can easily buy hemp seed oil online too. [2]
What are the various ways CBD oil can be used?
There are many ways you can use CBD oil, some of which are listed below.
- Use it sublingually which means you place the oil below your tongue and let it remain as it is for a minute before swallowing.
- You can take tablets orally or add CBD oil to your food.
- You can also apply CBD oil topically in lotion or cream form.
- You can place the CBD patches on your skin to let it penetrate into the bloodstream.
- You can inhale CBD infused liquids by heating them in a vaporizer.
Out of the above, the best way to take CBD oil is sublingual. Let us see how.
The Sublingual is the large blood vessel found under the tongue.
Liquids that you place here can easily travel to the bloodstream by passing through the thin membranes.
All it takes is a few minutes for you to get the optimum benefit of this oil.
27 Amazing Benefits of CBD oil
There are several benefits associated with CBD oil.
A variety of conditions can be managed by using CBD oils. To discuss this further, we will look at the benefits for skin, and hair, for treating cancer, correct sleep disorders, etc.
Benefits for the skin
CBD oil is considered highly beneficial for the skin. Even small quantities can do wonders in treating many skin-related issues.
1. Helps Moderate Oil Production
CBD oil helps to moisturise the skin but without clogging the pores.
It helps to hydrate the skin and moderates the oil production, thereby making it your skin's best companion.
2. Helps Acne-prone Skin
Acne is an inflammation of the skin and needs to be treated with anti-inflammatory agents.
CBD oil helps here as it has this property and helps to soothe the skin.
Oil production, which is a primary cause of acne is easily controlled.
It contains Omega 6 fatty acids that can help to reduce irritation of the skin.
3. Anti-ageing Properties
CBD oil is rich in antioxidants that help to slow down the visible signs of ageing.
You have many lotions and creams that are infused with CBD oil and these can help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
4. Can Help in Atopic Dermatitis
A random research has identified that CBD oil helps reduce the symptoms of atopic dermatitis after nearly 20 weeks of use.
The reason is the abundance of Omega 3 fatty acids in these oils.
5. Helps to Treat Scalp Conditions
Due to the anti-inflammatory nature of the oil, it can be used to treat eczema of the scalp.
This way, it can help to soothe the inflammation.
The anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties help in treating any infection on the scalp.
6. Promotes Hair Growth
Omega-3 fatty acids present in the CBD oils are beneficial to keeping the moisture in the scalp intact and nourishing them from the roots.
It also helps to improve blood circulation thereby promoting the growth of new hair. Regular massage can help strengthen the hair follicles.
7. Treats Hair Loss
Hair loss can be due to several reasons, one of them being hormonal.
Cannabinoids interact with the receptors which control the hormone regulation in your body.
It has anti-anxiety and anti-stress benefits that will treat hair loss symptoms from the roots.
8. Helps in Treating Anxiety Disorders
The calming effect possessed by CBD oil plays a crucial role in treating anxiety disorders.
It helps to reduce stress, check increased heart rate, induce sleep to treat sleep disorders and thereby treat anxiety.
There is chemical serotonin to which your brain's receptor responds and this is linked to your mental health. CBD oil changes the way this response is created to avoid stress.
9. Role in Pain Relief
CBD oil can help to treat chronic pain by managing the endocannabinoid receptor activity.
It interacts with the neurotransmitters of the body and can help in pain related to conditions like arthritis, muscle spasms, and other chronic non-cancer pain.
In a group of people who were treated with CBD oil for 4 weeks, researchers noticed a drastic reduction in pain and that too without any side effects.
Oral administration of CBD is also prevalent in some places, where a small amount of THC is also added.
This can help in pain in people suffering from multiple sclerosis.
10. Treating Some Forms of Epilepsy
Though research on this is in its initial stages, a positive role in treating some types of epilepsy has been found.
Research is underway to find the safe use of cannabinoids in treating seizures.
A study was conducted in 2016 wherein 214 people with epilepsy were administered 2 to 5 mg of CBD in addition to their regular medicines.
After 3 months, 36.5% of the participants had fewer seizures per month.
Nearly 3.4 million of the U.S population are living with a seizure disorder and CBD can play a great role when its role here is established.
11. Neuroprotective Role
An animal study has revealed that CBD might offer neuro-protective activity in several health conditions like Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Multiple sclerosis.
The antioxidant properties of CBD help with neuropsychiatric symptoms.
It can reduce the inflammation that can make the disease worse. CBD plays an important role in brain health.
It also helps to stimulate the development of new brain cells. Pre=mature cell death can also be significantly reduced by using this oil.
Neuropathic pain can be managed by using CBD. Social anxiety that may arise due to mental health conditions may also find relief.
12. Diabetes and obesity
The role of CBD oil has been seen in diabetic management too.
There is research that says CBD can help patients with diabetes by decreasing the resistance to insulin.
The rate of obesity in cannabis users was found to be significantly lower in a study in 2011 by the American Journal of Epidemiology. [3]
The incidence of diabetes can be reduced to a great extent if insulin resistance is brought down.
13. Lowers Risk of Cancer
Among many other benefits, CBD oil's use is also related to treating cancer-related symptoms and also the side effects that may arise due to cancer treatment.
Patients who were administered a mixture of the certified amount of THC with CBD seemed to have reduced cancer-related pain.
Research is still pursued to establish the effects of cannabis as there has been a mixed response to the benefits of cannabis.
It is essential to consult the physician before proceeding to use cannabis-derived compounds for managing cancer-related symptoms.
14. Benefits for Sleep Disorders
CBD oil is beneficial for treating sleep disorders.
It has a calming effect on the minds of people and thus helps to stimulate sleep.
More research is still needed to establish this in a large population.
By reducing anxiety, CBD can help to induce sleep. In about 66% of participants in a study, an improvement in sleep was found.
15. Beneficial for Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is the chronic pain and stiffness around the joints.
This can reduce mobility when the pain is severe.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another kind, where the immune system of the body affects the joints. People who are administered CBD topically or through food have found good relief in arthritis pain.
The inflammation also seemed to reduce considerably in a certain human studies.
16. Opioid Addiction can be Treated
Research says that CBD can be useful in treating people addicted to opioids.
CBD helps to relieve cravings for drugs, withdrawal anxiety and salivary cortisol levels.
There were no significant adverse effects due to this use.
Psychiatric disorders that may arise due to drug overuse can be reduced. Drug use withdrawal has found good applications with CBD oils.
17. Treats PTSD
PTSD is Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cannabis-based medicine has found use in treating PTSD.
Psychiatric care coupled with oral administration of CBD can help tremendously in reducing the symptoms of PTSD.
Negative memories and nightmares see a drastic fall when the patients are treated with CBD oil.
18. Treats Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS is the urge to pass stools frequently.
Health benefits of CBD have also been found in treating IBS. In this case, full-spectrum or broad-spectrum oil is used.
Many other beneficial chemical compounds along with CBD are found in the full or broad-spectrum oils and this is very much useful for the treatment of IBS.
19. Strengthens the Cardiovascular System
CBD oil is said to have a direct effect on the arteries, whereby it helps to reduce inflammation and improves blood flow.
When the blood flow is streamlined, it benefits the heart. Thus it helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system.
20. Can help in Glaucoma
Medical cannabis is taken as an alternative medicine to treating glaucoma, though its role in treatment is limited to a short duration.
It has been found that Cannabis can help to reduce intraocular pressure. This is also dependent on the dosage and can be around for 3-4 hours. [4]
21. Has Anti-inflammatory Properties
We have results from clinical studies that state that CBD reduces the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and restricts T cell proliferation and the migration of immune cells.
The effects of cannabidiol can be associated with treating the inflammation caused by many medical conditions like sports injuries, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, etc.
22. ALS Symptoms can be Contained
ALS is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that results in damage to nerve cells, which may lead to loss of muscle control.
There are just 2 medications that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prescribes for this condition since the exact cause is still unknown.
A mild dose of THC with CBD in varying doses were given to patients and people with mild sclerosis symptoms were found to be highly satisfied.
People with high symptoms of spasticity found even higher satisfaction, was the result found.
23. Glioblastoma Patients can have a Possible Extension of Life
The treatment mechanism that involves administering CBD oil along with the permitted levels of THC can help to extend the life of some patients suffering from Glioblastoma.
This is an aggressive form of cancer and research is still underway to find its guaranteed usage here.
24. Treats Depression
This is also related to anxiety and mental health. Mood disorders can lead to depression over time.
CBD with its calming effect on mind can help in stabilising your mood. If left untreated, depression can also be one reason for mental health disorders.
25. Treating Parkinson's Disease
People suffering from Parkinson's disease are moving towards medical marijuana as a means of alternative medicine.
Extensive clinical trials are not available for the use of CGD in the treatment of Parkinson's. CBD is already used for treating various symptoms of Parkinson's like anxiety, pain, tremor, and insomnia.
26. CBD for Menstrual Cramps
CBD oil can help in controlling menstrual cramps and period pain.
A full-spectrum CBD may be highly beneficial here. It can be taken in the form of capsules, tinctures or gummies.
A topical CBD gel or lotion can also help to relieve pain. It is also said to be useful in treating menopause symptoms.
27. Helps in Bone Structure
CBD oil helps to improve bone density and strengthens collagen in places where there is a break. Bone healing is also said to improve on the application of CBD.
In the case of spinal cord injury, CBD helps to improve motor function and reduces muscle spasms.
How to use CBD oils?
CBD oil cannot be directly applied.
After extraction from the cannabis plant, CBD is diluted with some carrier oil like hemp seed oil, olive oil, coconut oil, Medium-chain glyceride oil or avocado oil.
This makes the application easier.
CBD Oil and Pregnancy
Since CBD comes with many benefits, people would want to know about its use during pregnancy.
You should not use CBD oil while you are pregnant or breastfeeding the baby. The risk can be passed on to the fetus.
Though the effects haven't been fully established, for safety reasons, it is best avoided.
Risks Associated with CBD
Risks and side effects are common in any kind of therapy and it is the same with CBD oils application too.
It may interact with other drugs and medicines that you may consume.
The potential risks associated with its usage should first be analysed and discussed with the physician before administering.
Many CBD products have not undergone complete human study and this means many of them do not have approval from the FDA.
Also, the risk may differ from person to person. The potential benefits have to be weighed along with the potential side effects that CBD can give rise to.
Whether CBD is used as a prescription drug or not, you have to consult a doctor to analyse the pros and cons it may have upon you.
The possible risks are:
- Loss of appetite
- Damage to liver
- reduction in fertility in males
- irritability and mood swings
- Change in alertness
- interaction with other medicines
- dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Anxiety
Conclusion
The above is a detailed list of benefits of using CBD oil for your physical and mental wellness.
How you use it depends on which condition you need to treat.
Always consult a physician before you start using CBD oils as there may be some side effects which you should be aware of.
Various research is still underway to find out more applications of CBD oils.
Since people are showing great interest in the role of CBD oil in treating various conditions, its use will see an increasing trend in the future.
FAQs
Q.1 How old should you be to buy CBD oil?
The age limit is dependent on several factors like the place you live, the type of CBD and where it has been sourced from. In most locations, you should be 18 or 21 years old to buy CBD oil.
Q. 2 Can you get high on consuming CBD?
THC is the psychoactive component that makes you get high, but this is absent in CBD oil and thus cannot make you high.
Q. 3 What happens if you have an overdose of CBD oil?
You should take care with regard to the dosage by consulting a doctor. Overdose may result in many side effects and could be dangerous based on your health conditions.
Q.4 What are the various available forms of CBD oil?
CBD can be available as oils and tinctures, edibles like gummies, drinks, food items, creams and lotions and vaporisers. Depending on the severity of your condition and the strength of the oil, the form of CBD can be decided.
Q.5 Is CBD safe to use?
Mild side effects have been reported and these may be due to drug interactions. It is safe to buy from a trusted seller and ensure the quality of the product.
Q.6 What is the difference between CBD oil and hemp?
Hemp seed oil is an extract from the hemp plant and hemp seed is considered a food. CBD oil is a hemp extract which involves an industrial process whereby the level of THC is reduced and CBD is increased.
