CBD oil, Hemp oil and Cannabis oil explained
By now everyone has at least heard the term CBD oil, or cannabis oil, or hemp oil. Because of the chaotic history of the hemp plant, there is a ton of confusion and misinformation about the oil that is made using the plant. We’ve all seen the headlines and posts on Facebook and other social media about the miracle cure that is CBD oil, but what information can you trust and what is nothing other than old wives tales? That is why this article has been created, to help you learn more about CBD oil (or hemp oil, or cannabis oil, whatever you want to call it). This article will serve as your first stepping stone into gathering the information you need to decide if there is a product that suits your needs.
What is the CBD in CBD oil?
CBD is an abbreviation for Cannabidiol, one of the cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis sativa (or hemp) plant. CBD is only one of at least 113 cannabinoids that have been identified in cannabis. CBD is one of the most researched cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, along with the more commonly known THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) cannabinoid. Although a lot of research has been done on some of the cannabinoids found in cannabis we are still making new discoveries almost daily. For now, it is important for you to understand that CBD is the main cannabinoid used for medical purposes or as a medicine.
Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause the high associated with using cannabis. That’s right, CBD seems to have no psychoactive effect. Actually, the majority of known cannabinoids will not make you high. THC seems to be the main culprit when it comes to the intoxicating effects of cannabis. The potential uses of the CBD compound is continuously a subject of research and studies around the world.
Is CBD oil legal?
The legal status of cannabis is changing around the whole world. But even though THC containing cannabis sativa is not legal in a lot of countries, the low THC, high CBD hemp plant is legal in many more countries. Even where it is not legal to grow CBD legally, CBD containing products are imported and sold legally so that any person who chooses to medicate with CBD can obtain it without having to break any laws.
Because CBD does not make you high like THC, it is not as strictly regulated like it’s intoxicating big brother. Hemp plants are mostly used to produce CBD products like oils and to be classified as hemp the THC content of the plant has to be below 0.3%. 0.3% THC is nowhere near enough to get anyone high, and as such, there is no risk of getting high when using a CBD only product. Even in South Africa we can order CBD oil online and have it delivered to our doorstep, and it’s completely legal.
What is CBD oil used for?
CBD oil is used to treat a wide range of conditions and ailments. It is widely used as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Because it relieves pain and the discomfort caused by inflammation, it is used to treat many symptoms and diseases that cause either inflammation or pain. Multiple sclerosis is one of the more common conditions that CBD oil is used for, specifically because of how effective it is in treating neuropathic pain. CDB is also an effective way to treat anxiety, especially if the anxiety is caused by another medical condition like MS or cancer.
CBD is also well known as a medication used by cancer sufferers or patients receiving chemo. The use of CBD oil while receiving chemo can dramatically help increase the patient’s appetite while also relieving pain and nausea that can be caused by the treatment of cancer by chemotherapy. Sleeplessness is also an undesired side effect of chemotherapy that can be helped by CBD treatment. CBD oil also has strong effects for many suffering from seizures and other neurological disorders. There have even been cases where traditional anti-epileptic drugs had zero to little effectiveness in preventing or reducing seizures, but the introduction of high CBD cannabis dramatically reduced the occurrence of seizures in the patient.
How is CBD taken?
There are various methods to take CBD. The most common way is also one of the unhealthiest ways to ingest CBD, by smoking cannabis. Obviously, there are risks attached to smoking anything and as such many patients and users of CBD prefer to ingest their CBD through other methods. CBD can also be vaporized, it can be eaten or simply taken in oil form. There is a wide range of cannabis vaporizers on the market that is used to vaporize the cannabinoids, without actually burning the plant materials or CBD rich oil. By not burning anything, no carcinogens are ingested along with the CBD.
High CBD cannabis or CBD oils are often used in baking or cooking and can them be easily ingested by simply eating what has been made. High CBD edibles come in pretty much every form you can think of so that anyone can find an edible that they prefer. Gummies, jellies, cookies, brownies, lollipops, sodas, chocolates, popcorn and much much more have all been used as an edible to ingest CBD easily while eating something that actually tastes good. Oral sprays are also a preferred method of consumption for many, with sprays coming in various flavors.
CBD oils or capsules are also available for purchase. With the oils, you simply take a drop or two a day. With CBD capsules you just drink them like you would any other vitamin or medication in capsule or pill form. CBD creams are also produced and are often used for the treatment of skin ailments, although the absorption of creams through the skin is also an effective way to get CBD into your system.
With any CBD product is it important to be aware of the dosage. All products should be labeled with the exact dosage found in the product. CBD content is shown in milligrams (mg) like the example below that has 250mg CBD.
CBD oil for pets
CBD is not only used by humans to treat or prevent various medical conditions. Many also give their pets CBD oils for the treatment of cancer, arthritis and even anxiety. Some might think it’s strange adding a few drops of CBD oil to your pet’s food, but in reality, it’s more natural than you think. Just ask anyone who has pets and has ever grown the cannabis plant. Chances are that they will tell you that they had to put the plants out of reach of their pets because both dogs and cats will have a few bites of the cannabis plants if they can reach them. Many pet owners prefer using CBD oil to treat their pets because there are virtually no side effects. At most you might have a cat or dog that sleeps a little more than it normally does.
In many cases treating a pet with CBD oil is also much more affordable than getting pet medications from your local vet. Any vet visit can be expensive, especially when medications are added to the mix. CBD oil o the other hand is not only affordable, but one purchase will last you much longer than you expect because of the small amounts that are given with each treatment.
CBD a natural alternative with almost no side effects
There are various medications available to treat almost any illness or condition you can treat with CBD. But many of these pharmacological medications have severe side effects or addictive traits. CBD has almost no side effects and it is not addictive at all. CBD oil is often used as an alternative to opioid-based pain management medications, simply because opioid-based medications are extremely addictive and one can accidentally overdose on these medications. You cannot overdose on CBD in any form, and not only is it not addictive but it is often used as a way to treat addiction to various other substances. Many ex-tobacco smokers used CBD oil to help them kick the cigarette habit.
CBD is a natural alternative to many medications. Our bodies have an endocannabinoid system for a reason as we are designed by nature to be able to ingest and absorb CBD and other cannabinoids into our bodies. The positives of CBD treatment far outweigh the negatives and it offers an affordable way to treat many conditions in young and old. Instead of young children having their bodies and state of mind wrecked by pharmaceutical drugs, many parents opt for CBD oil treatment because it is simply more natural. The risks involved with CBD treatment is just far lower when compared to pharmaceutical drugs and as more research is done more effective CBD treatments will be created to help anyone who has a need for it.
Have you used hemp oil or any other CBD product? Are you using it as a preventative measure or are you using it to treat a specific disease or ailment? Please share your CBD story in the comments below so that other readers can also learn from your comments.
