No matter what kind of upbringing you hand, or which stellar genetics your parents were able to pass down. From time to time, as we age, almost everyone will experience some type of pain or discomfort that can limit job prospects, social interactions, and physical exercise. All of which are essential to our mental health and physical well-being. Here you will learn about the basics of the cannabinoid cannabidiol, how it is often used, what types of CBD products are out there, the ailments that CBD oil benefits can help to alleviate, and how all of this together can help you to grow as an individual.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of well over 100 different naturally produced cannabinoids that are found in cannabis plants and makes up to 40% of the plant materials total extract.
What are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are found across multiple species of cannabis plants, in the form of naturally produced compounds that include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, cannabidiol (CBD), and terpenes.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is CBD in a concentrated form that has been derived from one of two plant species including cannabis Sativa and hemp plants. CBD oil that has been extracted from hemp is often labeled as pure CBD oil and should never exceed 0.03% CBD, which results in a product that is not psychoactive. Cannabis oil that has been taken from marijuana plants will typically contain much higher levels of THC than CBD, which is the euphoric elements that are often associated with recreational use.
How is CBD Used?
CBD oil benefits are broad, which requires a variety of consumption methods to suit almost any type of need. CBD can be taken orally, vaped, smoked, applied topically, or eaten.
Common problems that CBD can help to eliminate
CBD oil benefits can vary from one individual to the next, but will typically include a lessening of common symptoms and conditions including:
Insomnia
According to the World Health Organization CBD does not produce in an intense high and results in fewer disruptions to REM sleep, which is necessary to heal and restore yourself.
Chronic pain
Using CBD products can help to calm inflammation, which takes down swelling and helps to reduce the symptoms of arthritis and many other chronic pain-inducing conditions.
Area-specific pain
A CBD topical or orally ingested product can help to treat pain that is location-specific which is often caused by injury, arthritis, cancer, and many other conditions that stay in one area of the body.
Injury
CBD can help to reduce inflammation and swelling around an injured area in the body; the CBD oil benefits go even more profound when there are long term issues like nerve damage. CBD can help to heal those severed nerve connections and repair the link for your body’s communication to the brain. This can help to alleviate seizures, spasms, nerve pain, and in many cases, even get rid of these uncomfortable symptoms completely.
Depression & Anxiety
Several clinical trials have shown that CBD can be therapeutic for patients with psychosis, anxiety, or depression.
Appetite
Whether you are eating way too much or struggling to get enough into your system, CBD can help to regulate your body’s release of chemicals that trigger sensations like hunger or sleepiness.
Nausea
Though this is also considered to be a possible side effect from taking CBD, most patients report feeling less nausea after taking CBD. This is especially helpful for those who are undergoing harsh treatments like chemotherapy that come saddled with this uncomfortable symptom.
Inflammatory diseases
Toxic elements that are ingested or generated by the body tend to hand around for quite some time. These same substances are often the culprits of many diseases, including stroke, bowel disease, and other inflammatory conditions. CBD can help to rid the body of these harmful elements, which can help to prevent these illnesses and their symptoms.
Degenerative diseases
Those same toxic substances that can cause inflammatory diseases and their symptoms can also cause damage that leads to several age-related conditions such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer's disease.
Side effects of CBD
Though there are very few potential side effects from taking CBD products, and very few people who ever experience these adverse sensations there are a couple of possibilities that are worth mentioning including diarrhea, nausea, and irritability.
Types of CBD products
There has been plenty of media coverage for CBD oils, but very little for the rest of the extensive list of options that you could choose from. Here are the most popular CBD products that are available today.
1. CBD marijuana
Though it is true that most CBD pure oil is derived from hemp plants, there are now several CBD pure marijuana strains to choose from.
How is CBD bud flower used?
CBD pure marijuana buds can be smoked, vaped, or turned into any other type of CBD concentrate including edibles, oils, tinctures, capsules, and CBD topicals.
2. CBD oil
CBD oil is a broad term that is used in reference to all CBD infused oils, but there is more than one kind out there and knowing the difference is crucial. All CBD oils are derived from cannabis plants, but not all of them are ingested in the same manner.
How is CBD oil used?
Some CBD oil is made with cooking oils that are safe to take orally via a dropper or used for baking to create CBD infused edibles. These oils are typically clear and watery. Others are, much darker and thicker, and those are generally meant for oral consumption. A grain-sized piece of CBD oil can be placed underneath the tongue or rubbed along the lower gum line for direct contact with the bloodstream.
3. CBD topicals
CBD topical is a term used about any CBD infused products that are meant for external application including ointments, muscle creams, salves, balms, and more. These products will often come infused with significant amounts of cannabidiol, and this is for a good reason. When CBD topical products are applied, very little of the cannabinoid makes it into the bloodstream, so more potent mixtures are necessary and just as effective as other low dosed options.
How are CBD topicals used?
CBD topical products are applied to the outer parts of the body, and not meant for internal ingestion. They are generally used in the same manner as muscle creams, by spreading a small portion on one affected area. This makes these CBD products perfect for spot treatments.
4. CBD tinctures
Tinctures that are CBD infused are a combination of alcohol and cannabidiol. The alcohol is used to extract the compound from plant materials, and never fully evaporates.
How are CBD tinctures used?
These CBD products are generally not recommended for edibles since they do have a strong flavor. However, they are often added to alcoholic beverages, juice, or taken orally pure to garner the benefits.
5. CBD capsules
CBD pills are typically filled with a CBD oil that is safe for ingestion. The oil is encapsulated for easy dosing and administration.
How are CBD capsules used?
CBD pills are taken just like another other oral medication and swallowed whole either alone or with a liquid up to three times per day.
6. CBD edibles
CBD edibles can take many forms. Everything from spaghetti sauce and meatballs, to simple homemade cookies, can be easily infused with CBD oil.
How are CBD edibles used?
CBD infused edibles are eaten, come with almost no smell or taste, and are one of the most recommended ways of using CBD oil.
7. Hemp flowers
Industrial hemp strains do not produce the same type of bud flowers as cannabis plants, but some do provide a yield of more scraggly buds that are naturally full of CBD.
How are hemp flowers used?
Hemp flowers are often smoked, vaped, turned into CBD concentrates or eaten to obtain the benefits.
How taking CBD can help you to grow
If you are one of the lucky few, then this may not pertain to you, but many of us could greatly benefit from the benefits that CBD oil can offer. A better night’s rest and fewer pains or discomforts can help you to stay motivated, more productive, and feeling energetic and refreshed, which is incredibly beneficial in this pace paced age for both our physical and mental well-being. Imagine no longer feeling restricted to your home and not being restricted in your daily activities and progress towards goals. These are just a few of the benefits that CBD oil can help to provide, without the adverse side effects that come with most pharmaceutical medications we are so frequently offered today.
Alex is a professional writer and digital marketing expert.