Confused About CBD Oil?
There has been a lot of buzz about CBD oil and many people are confused about what it is, how it differs from marijuana (cannabis) and how to use it. Cannabis is a drug that is approved for recreational/medicinal use in some states in the US. Cannabis contains a substance called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is responsible for the psychoactive properties of the plant. In additional to THC, cannabis contains many other biologically active compounds called phytocannabinoids. One of these compounds is called cannabidiol (CBD), and it has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory and pain reducing propertieswithout the psychoactive “high” effect of THC.Therefore, cannabis oil is not the same as CBD oil since cannabis oil contains CBD oil and THC while CBD oil does not.
Research has shown many benefits from CBD oil including pain relief, decreased anxiety and depression, a reduction in cancer-related symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, improvement of acne, neuroprotective properties, treatment of symptoms related to Parkinson’s and epilepsy, and improvement of gut health and heart health. Further some research shows that CBD oil may help treat diabetes and substance abuse and prevent certain cancers and diabetes.
CBD oil is derived either from the cannabis plant or the hemp plant and then diluted with a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil. Hemp is a plant that comes from the same genus as the Cannabis plant, but only has trace amount of THC,usually less than .3%. The majority of CBD oil comes from industrial hemp.CBD oil can be extracted as a full spectrum oil or a crystalline isolate.
CBD oil products come as oils, tinctures, vapors, capsules, topical balms, teas, and sprays and they vary in concentrations. Higher concentrations have more CBD cannabinoid. It is difficult to suggest a dosage for CBD oil, because everyone is different, and weight, genetics, environment, diet, metabolism, and the product type all affect how it works. It is always important to start with the minimal suggested dose of the product then increase the dosage gradually. The dosage should be determined by your body weight, the reason you are taking CBD,and what kind of effect(mild, moderate, or high)you desire.
There are varying recommendations for determining the correct CBD dosage. Some experts state that 5 mg is a good starting point, and it can be increased 7-10mg per use as necessary. Desired effects are often found at 10 mg 1-2 times per day. Other guidelines state those under 130# should take a dosage ranging from 11-17mg, while those over 230 pounds should range from 23-45 mg.Websites on pain recommend higher doses, with as much as 1-6mg per every 10 pounds of body weight.
It is very important to buy high quality CBD oil, since it is not regulated by the FDA. High quality oil has been tested by accredited laboratories and is free of pesticides, residual solvents from the extractions process, heavy metals, bacteria and fungus. When purchasing CBD oil, you should determine the extraction method used to process the oil. You do not want to buy a product that uses toxic materials like propane or butane. Instead look for safer extraction methods, such as ethanol and carbon dioxide. You should also research if the hemp is organic and learn about the farm where it is grown so it is not contaminated with metals and unwanted minerals.Also consider whether the CBD oil was tested by a third-party to meet quality standards, and avoid oils that do not give information about their third party testing.
As with all supplements, consult a doctor before you take CBD oil to determine if it is right for you