There’s a lot of buzz about cannabidiol (CBD), and you might see it marketed as an add-in booster to your post-workout smoothie or morning coffee or even as the magic oil against severe headaches by your pharmacist. But what exactly is CBD, and how does it work? Is it just a fad, or is there science behind it? Find out in this article.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis. It alters mood by boosting serotonin levels in the brain, which calms the nervous system. Balanced serotonin levels increase happiness, calmness, focus, and emotional stability.
How is cannabidiol different from marijuana, cannabis, and hemp?
Cannabidiol has been used to treat insomnia, depression, and anxiety, but do you have to worry about getting into legal consequences for relying on marijuana’s cousin?
Marijuana and hemp plants contain both Cannabidiol and THC- delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that makes people feel “high”.
While CBD is derived from cannabis, it is different from marijuana in that it does not produce a “high” due to its low levels of THC. Hemp is a variety of cannabis that is grown for industrial use and contains minimal THC, making it a common source of CBD.
According to the World Health Organization and the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential, and there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated.
Due to this, CBD offers multiple benefits without the negative effects associated with THC, so you don’t need to worry about getting into legal trouble.
The health benefits of CBD
There’s been extensive research on how CBD works and its benefits. The therapeutic benefits include helping with chronic pain, stress and anxiety and extend to improving symptoms of multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea and even childhood epilepsy syndromes that don’t respond well to antiseizure medications.
Anxiety and CBD
There is scientific evidence to suggest that CBD can calm the nervous system, and alter our mood as it affects the serotonin system. A 2011 study on treating Generalised Social Anxiety Disorder showed that cannabis has anxiolytic effects both in humans and in animals. Another study by the Sleep Foundation revealed that about 80% of participants who used CBD reported lower anxiety levels within a month.
Pain and CBD
The history of cannabis is indeed fascinating and long. Cannabis has been used for many purposes for centuries, including medicinal purposes, without formal approval.
The first recorded evidence can be found in the Shennong Ben Cao Jing encyclopaedia, which dates back to 2900 BC in China and recommended cannabis as a treatment for pain, constipation and malaria. Combined with wine, the plant also provided an anaesthetic effect for patients undergoing surgery.
CBD is still considered to be a great alternative to opioids for chronic pain because it is non-intoxicating. CBD can effectively ease nerve pain and muscular symptoms and discomfort of multiple sclerosis, inflammatory pain, osteoarthritis and many others.
Insomnia and CBD
Insomnia is a stress reaction that spills into rest time when we aren’t trying to process conscious trauma. Research by the Sleep Foundation has shown that more than 65% of participants reported improving sleep at first, followed by fluctuating results. Stress hormone overactivation can be suppressed through CBD and the sleep-wake cycle will be equalised through counteracting hormones.
Is CBD safe?
CBD is safe to use and not addictive. It’s important to keep your healthcare provider informed whenever you use CBD, as it may interact with your existing medications, especially if you are taking blood thinners.
How can I take CBD?
CBD products come in a variety of forms. So, how do you know which CBD product is right for you?
CBD oil
Among the most common and popular delivery methods for CBD are oils. Proponents of CBD oil can be used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, migraines, epilepsy, and depression. Try the eternalbeing CBD oil that contains an intermediate milligram amount of hemp extract that is ideal for everyday use.
CBD cooling balms
A CBD cooling balm can offer relief for aching muscles, shoulders or necks; it can also be used for back pain or general muscle discomfort. After application, it gives the skin a refreshing, restorative, radiant sensation. Moreover, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling. Our Cooling Power Balm creates a cold-like sensation upon application, this will, in turn, assist in the relief of discomfort throughout the area affected.
CBD oil heating balms
For targeted relief CBD oil heating balms work great for easing sore, stiff muscles. Our Arnica balm formulation is a must-have for anyone who trains and works out and helps with aches and bruising. You can also pair it with our Cooling Power Balm for maximum pain relief and comfort. The heating balm helps to warm up the muscles, while the cooling balm helps to reduce inflammation and swelling.
The balms are also great to use before and after physical activity to help with muscle recovery. They are easy to apply and absorb quickly, leaving no greasy residue.
CBD capsules
Natural and tasteless CBD capsules without any artificial additives or hemp aftertaste. The eternalbeing capsules are precision calibrated for accurate dosing and verified to contain no THC. With full-spectrum oils, CBD softgels contain all the turpentine and are as pure as possible.
CBD gummies
Gummies offer a tasty and convenient option for daily CBD intake.. The small and discreet sizes make them ideal for discreet use, and many come in fruity flavours to mask the CBD’s taste. This is why they are quickly catching up to CBD oil in terms of use and popularity. Our CBD gummies are effective at relieving anxiety, depression, pain, and inflammation, and improving sleep. By counting the gummies, you will be able to determine the proper dosage.
CBD patches
CBD patches deliver cannabidiol to the body through the skin. Over several hours, they provide a slow and steady release of CBD, which can treat symptoms like pain, inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia.
Our CBD 50mg patches contain all natural CBD and are designed to reduce inflammation and joint/muscle pain, as well as reduce anxiety. You can also opt for our CBD blend patch with Tumeric, Omega 6, Omega-3, Omega-9, Resveratrol and Menthol provide the body with the nutrients it needs for improved pain relief and no drowsy effect, reducing inflammation and joint/muscle pain, as well as reducing anxiety.
Unable to stay soundly asleep for long periods? With a blend of specially selected herbal extracts and CBD, these convenient Sleep Patches are designed to support a good night’s sleep using a variety of natural ingredients. Goodbye, restless nights! Peel, stick, and go! No more swallowing pills!
In addition, the product may contain other unknown elements. If you buy CBD, it is safest to make sure that there is independent laboratory testing as attested to by a COA (certificate of analysis) that should accompany every CBD product.
Can CBD help you?
If you are interested in using CBD, talk with your healthcare provider first about whether it’s a good idea and how to safely obtain it. Always take CBD from a reputable provider, and start with a small dose to see how it affects you.
