
CBD Oil Supplementation - 16 Keys to Consider
So what's up with CBD? It's the new buzzword that's gaining a lot of popularity.
Cannabidiol, or its easier to type name CBD, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp and cannabis plant.
It was discovered in 1940 and it wasn't thought to be pharmaceutically active. Accounting for up to 40% of a hemp plant's extract, it can be a very sustainable product.
Related - 10 Things You Should Know About CBD Oil
CBD research has been picking up steam. In 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved a CBD prescription drug called Epidiolex. Its uses have been limited to two rare forms of childhood epilepsy. They've classed this medicine in the "least restrictive" category of controlled substances, right next to the 'Tussin AC.
CBD can be taken into the body in a few different ways — inhalation of cannabis smoke or vapor, using an aerosol spray into your cheek, or with a tincture by mouth. There are a few more ways you can supplement with CBD, but more on that later.
How It Works
The way all cannabinoids work is to attach to certain receptors in the body. We produce these cannabinoids on our own, and we have two receptors for them called the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CB1 Receptors
Present throughout the body, but mostly in the brain.
Help the brain deal with your movement and coordination, emotions, mood, pain, thinking, appetite, memories, and other functions.
THC attaches to these receptors.
CB2 Receptors
These are more common in your immune system.
They affect our pain and inflammation.
Changes in receptor function is synonymous with pretty much every type of human disease.
THC binds to both receptor types, but CBD actually doesn't have a binding affinity — CBD's therapeutic benefits happen through indirect actions. TRPV1 Receptors are involved in regulating pain, inflammation, and body temperature, and CBD activates them. CBD also inhibits Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase. This means that there will be higher levels of endocannabinoids in your system, like anandamide.
Anandamide is known as the bliss molecule, and it plays a role in neural generation of pleasure and motivation.
So before I lose you with a lot of boring facts, let's jump into the 16 keys to consider.
Before Considering CBD
#1 - CBD Naturally Occurs in Your Body
Your body, as well as every other mammal, is equipped with an endocannabinoid system. CBD is produced in our bodies to help provide nourishment and help with homeostasis.
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound. Unlike THC, CBD won't get you high.
#2 - CBD Won't Get You High
Found predominantly in hemp, but also in cannabis, CBD doesn't have the same psychoactive properties that THC does. This means you can supplement with CBD and not have any mental impairment.
#3 - Supplementing CBD Boosts Your Overall Health
We already produce this in our bodies — supplementing just improves the total amount.
This gives your body more tools to clean, improve, repair, and strengthen all of your physiological systems.
#4 - Daily Use is Most Beneficial
While CBD can be expensive, daily use is more beneficial than sporadic use. Be sure to take a look at a CBD dosage guide.
#5 - It Will Help Regulate Pain Response
While not a miracle product, studies suggest that CBD can help regulate your pain response. It has been referred to as a possible replacement for big pharma's pain medication.
#6 - CBD Promotes Emotional Homeostasis
The huge ups and downs of emotional upset and other psychological conditions have normally been "fixed" with a pill.
Studies suggest CBD has been shown to help with emotional homeostasis.
#7 - CBD Helps Maintain a Healthy Appetite
Research hasn't been strong in this area yet, but some studies have found that CBD may help cancer patients maintain a healthy appetite. Since CBD can be applied topically or orally, patients who cannot smoke medical marijuana due to a compromised immune system can still benefit from CBD.
#8 - CBD Could Help with Stress
Stress is everywhere. In small doses, CBD may help the calm feelings return.
#9 - It Can Help You Sleep Better
Are you losing sleep because of stress? Is your back hurting too bad to sleep?
CBD has been found to help people fall asleep and stay asleep. Take a dose before bed.
#10 - CBD Oil is Legal is All 50 states
With legislation changing a bit lately, CBD is legal in all 50 states as long as it is derived from a plant with less than 0.3% THC. If your CBD has been derived from a traditional cannabis plant that tests higher than 0.3% THC, you do not have a federally legal CBD product.
As long as the CBD is derived from hemp, it is federally legal to possess and consume.
#11 - CBD is Available Online
Since CBD is legal in all 50 states, you can also buy products online. As long as your product has been derived from a hemp plant, it's federally legal to have.
#12 - CBD Won't Show up on a Drug Test
If you have to go take a whiz quiz, they are checking for THC... among other things.
Since your CBD products have been derived from plants with less than 0.3% THC, you will not test positive — even with regular supplementation.
#13 - You Don't Need a Prescription or Medical Card
While I suggest that you talk to your doctor before supplementing with CBD, you can walk right into a store, dispensary, or order it online.
#14 - It's Impossible to Overdose
CBD is non-toxic — meaning no fatal overdose levels have been reported. It's been scientifically tested up to 1,500 mg a day, which is more than the average person would take.
I've also watched YouTube cannabis channels ingest 1,000 mg in one sitting.
#15 - It's Holistic
If you're looking for an alternative to all of your pills and other pharmaceuticals, CBD is produced without chemicals and uses the entire plant.
#16 - All-Natural Health
If you're interested in the environment and taking care of your own personal health, hemp is a highly sustainable product that grows as a hardy plant outdoors. Stalks and seeds are harvested for everything from clothing to body lotion, and the flowers are what are used to produce CBD supplements.
Wrapping It Up
After you've made the decision to try out CBD, make sure to research brands and companies. Finding a quality CBD supplement is similar to finding a quality protein supplement — there are bad brands, and there are great brands. Do the legwork and make sure you're getting a quality CBD supplement.
Frankly, CBD is a bit expensive, when you want to take this as a daily supplement, but studies suggest there are many benefits to supplementing with CBD.
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