Cannabidiol (CBD) is often featured in the media and can be seen advertised as an extra booster in post-workout smoothies or morning coffee. You can also buy CBD-infused sports bras. But what exactly is CBD?
And why is it so popular?
How is cannabidiol different from marijuana, cannabis, and hemp?
CBD or cannabidiol is the second most widespread active ingredient in cannabis (marijuana). CBD UK is an essential component of medical marijuana, but it is either extracted directly from marijuana’s cousin, the hemp plant, or manufactured in a laboratory. CBD, one of the hundreds of constituents of marijuana, is not “high” by itself. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), “In humans, CBD does not produce effects indicating possible abuse or dependence. To date, there is no evidence of public health concerns associated with the use of pure CBD.”
Is Cannabidiol Legal?
CBD is readily available in most parts of the United States, but its exact legal status is fluid. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction. the FDA relaxed regulatory requirements to allow researchers to conduct CBD trials. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp in the US, making it virtually impossible to keep CBD illegal. It’s like keeping orange juice illegal while making oranges legal.
The Farm Bill exempted all hemp-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, which criminalizes drug possession. Essentially, this means that CBD is legal if it comes from hemp, but not if it comes from cannabis (marijuana). Many people now get CBD online without a medical marijuana license, which is legal in most states.
Evidence for Cannabidiol Health Benefits
CBD has been touted for a variety of health problems, but the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating the most brutal pediatric epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which are usually unresponsive. to anticonvulsants. In numerous studies, CBD has been able to reduce the number of seizures and in some cases stop them altogether. Epidiolex with CBD is the first cannabis-derived drug approved by the FDA for these conditions.
Animal studies, self-reports, or studies in humans suggest that CBD may also help:
Anxiety research and clinical trials are exploring common reports that CBD can reduce anxiety.
obscurity. Studies show that CBD can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
chronic pain. More human studies are needed to substantiate claims that CBD helps control pain. An animal study in the European Journal of Pain found that when applied topically, CBD may help reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. Other studies confirm how CBD inhibits difficult-to-treat inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
addiction. Some research in humans suggests that CBD may help lower cravings for cigarettes and heroin under certain conditions. Animal models of addiction also suggest that it may help reduce cravings for alcohol, cannabis, opiates, and stimulants.
Is CBD Safe?
Side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. CBD competes with liver enzymes that break down these drugs, which can increase blood thinning and other drug levels. Grapefruit has effects similar to certain pharmaceuticals.
People taking high doses of CBD may show abnormalities in liver-related blood tests. Many over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), have the same effect. Therefore, you should tell your doctor if you are using CBD on a regular basis.
