CBD is a hot topic these days, and it seems that everyone has an opinion about it. All of a sudden, the market became overflooded with products containing CBD. Today, this ingredient can be found in creams, drinks, gummies, pills, cosmetics, etc. and it is available in supermarkets and specialized shops.
It is a billion-dollars worth industry, and while some people swear on it, others think it is just another overhyped product that does not do anything. So what is the catch? CBD is popular because it is controversial. Today, we are going to go through some of the basic facts about it and try answering the ultimate question, does it really work?
What Will I Learn?
Breaking The CBD Myths
There are a lot of assumptions about CBD, especially the wrong ones, but some people genuinely do not know what exactly it is. Some believe that CBD is marijuana, that it is not safe, or legal, etc. So far, the marketing game is far ahead of science, because there are not enough researches and scientific papers that can give us all the answers we need. That creates the space for various misunderstandings, speculations, and false statements, which sell and make a profit.
Then, what do we know about it? CBD stands for cannabidiol, a chemical compound coming from the cannabis plant. This substance is known as a calming and relaxing ingredient that can be found in various products. Two main components of the cannabis plant are CBD and THC. Unlike THC, CBD is not a psychoactive substance. So no, cannabis oil would not make you high. Some people claim to feel more comfortable or mellow after using it.
Marijuana-derived CBD is the most known one, but cannabidiol can be derived from hemp as well. Hemp is a similar plant, containing slightly less THC than marijuana, and it is often used for ropes or fabrics. Since 2018, hemp is legal in 50 states, meaning that cannabidiol derived from it is also legal. On the other side, the situation is more complicated with cannabidiol coming from marijuana, which is currently in some kind of a legal gray zone.
Is CBD Safe?
We can say that for adults, CBD infused products are safe. For example, the majority uses of CBD oil for sleep, anxiety, pain, and insomnia. However, some people claim to experience side effects of cannabidiol such as fatigue, dry mouth, nausea, and irritability. If you are taking some medications, you should consult with your doctor before taking cannabidiol on your own. Younger than 21 should not use it, because it is still unknown what would be the appropriate dosage for kids.
Small doses of CBD work as mild stimulants and those small doses are enough for treating anxiety symptoms. Higher doses can help you fall asleep, acting like depressants. The required dosage varies from one person to another, so it is always wise to ask your doctor and follow the given advice.
When Shopping for CBD, Pay Attention to These Things
Since cannabidiol is basically everywhere and in everything, it is easily available to anyone. There are several hundreds of CBD-related brands at the moment, and the industry is booming. So the market is vast, and people often get confused about the products and their features. That is why we created a list of shopping tips for CBD products.
So, Does It Work?
This depends a lot on what consumers are expecting to get, what kind of effect. CBD does work in certain cases for some conditions, but definitely not for all the things it’s advertised. There is some evidence that it helps with sleep disorders, chronic aches, anxiety, and muscle spasticity.
Anxiety is a good example, and it appears that people using cannabidiol to cope with their anxiety experience fewer side effects than the ones using standard anxiety medications. But for everything else, so far, there is no scientific proof. Among the variety of products, the ones that can be rubbed onto the skin are the least tested. Hence, it is hard to tell whether or not they can bring any benefits.
Does it work? It is hard to tell. If your expectations are realistic, you have done your research, and you are not looking for a magical pill, then yes. You will notice some enhancement, de-stressing, relaxation, relieve of anxiety symptoms, etc. Otherwise, think twice before you take it, because you may get disappointed.
