WHAT IS CBD OIL, AND WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE IT

CBD is the short form for cannabidiol. It is a natural chemical plant compound contained in the hemp plant. CBD products have become quite popular since the Farm Bill legalized hemp-based CBD products back in 2017. The most popular CBD product is CBD oil. Various brands and types of CBD oil are available online and in local supplement stores. They are believed to offer a spectrum of potential wellness benefits when used appropriately. Notably, CBD oil works differently with each user, so it is important to know which strain of CBD oil suits you best. This article informs you on what you need to know about CBD oil and why people take it.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is made by infusing hemp or cannabis-based CBD extract with an inert, organic carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil. There are several extraction methods for the CBD used to process CBD oil. These include C02 extraction, solvent extraction, and steam distillation. The best quality CBD oil is often made using C02 extracted CBD. Solvent extraction CBD often produces less quality CBD oil that is more prone to contamination by volatile solvents; hence they are bound to be less effective and pose a risk of adverse side effects for the user.

There are three major strains of CBD oil. These include CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, and full-spectrum CBD oil. CBD isolate oil is the most processed CBD oil type available. It contains pure CBD as the sole comprising hemp compound. However, some product brands may add a few nutritional components such as vitamin and protein supplements as a marketing incentive. CBD isolate oil is perfect for users who prefer a pure CBD experience. Notably, though, the thorough processing of this CBD oil type may result in the loss or damage of some delicate terpenes and natural compounds found in the hemp extract.

 Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains most compounds and cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, including cannabichromene and cannabinol. It also contains some terpenes such as pinene and beta-caryophyllene. Broad-spectrum CBD oil is typically stripped of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the psychoactive cannabis compound that produces the 'high' feeling that is characteristic of recreational cannabis products like marijuana. Trace amounts may, however, be found in some cases. Nevertheless, broad-spectrum CBD delivers a collective potential of CBD benefits without resulting in unnecessary psychedelic effects.

Full-spectrum CBD oil is the least processed type of CBD oil available. Therefore, it contains more inherent natural compounds than broad-spectrum and CBD isolate oils. Less processing ensures most of the delicate natural plant compounds are preserved, and the overall final product is as close to the natural plant extract as possible. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains every compound, terpene, and cannabinoid in the hemp plant, including THC in regulated amounts. The Food and Drug Administration restricts THC content in CBD products to 0.3%. For THC-tolerant users, full-spectrum CBD oil offers the highest possible number of CBD benefits.

CBD oil can be taken in direct oral doses. It is also quite versatile and can be incorporated into your daily routine and diet in many creative ways. You can add it to your meals through CBD-infused recipes. You can also add it to your favorite beverage or sweet treats such as dessert cakes and sweets. However, you should be careful not to expose CBD oil to extreme temperatures, as that can compromise the inherent compounds and render the product ineffective.

Why Take CBD Oil?

CBD oil is a popular product with millions of users worldwide. Although it is not yet clinically endorsed as a medical remedy, CBD oil is believed to offer various mental and physical health advantages. More research is still needed to determine the full potential properties of CBD oil and the possible long-term side effects of CBD medication. CBD oil use is therefore purely at the user's risk, and professional consultation is advised. Below are some of the reasons people take CBD oil.

Pain relief

According to Rice & Cameron (2018), patients with MS or chronic pain symptoms often use CBD oil to help numb the pain. CBD oil is also often recommended to cancer patients to help ease the pain resulting from chemotherapy sessions. In addition, CBD oil is reportedly useful in managing nerve pain. When absorbed, CBD binds to receptors in the brain and reduces activity around them. It also reduces the speed of transmitting signals across nerve cells, effectively managing nerve pain.

Skincare

According to Atalay, Karpowicz & Skrzydlewska (2019), CBD is reputed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Preliminary studies suggest that CBD helps check acne breakouts on the skin by minimizing activity in the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands produce sebum, which keeps the skin oily. Excess secretion of sebum may lead to skin inflammation and the formation of acne. CBD oil restricts sebum production, hence reducing the chances of inflammation. Taking CBD thus helps with your skincare routine.

Anxiety

Most people take CBD oil to help manage mental health complications such as anxiety and depression. According to Melas et al  (2021), CBD influence how the brain reacts to serotonin. This is a chemical connected to mental health. Anecdotal evidence from mostly animal-based preliminary research suggests that moderate doses of CBD oil might help maintain low anxiety levels. However, more research is pending regarding the significance of CBD oil's anti-anxiety properties to humans.

Sleep improvement

According to Kuhathasan et al (2019), CBD oil may be useful in enhancing your overall sleep pattern and experience. By addressing symptoms of mental health conditions such as anxiety and PTSD, CBD oil helps achieve the mental relaxation state necessary for peaceful sleep. CBD topicals can also help relax and smoothen your skin before bedtime, thus creating a conducive state of relaxation for peaceful sleep.

Conclusion

CBD oil is a fully legal, multi-beneficial hemp-based supplement sold in various brands, potencies, flavors, and qualities. It contains little or no THC content; hence it provides a safer option than most other cannabis products. It is also less prone to dependency. CBD oil is believed to offer relief against various physical and mental health conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and pain relief. CBD oil can be taken orally through dropper administration or capsules. It can also be infused into food recipes, beverages, and snacks. However, CBD oil reacts differently with each user, and it is important to carry out extensive personalized research or consult experienced medical practitioners before venturing into CBD oil use. Additionally, always go for products with certified evidence of third-party testing for safety and quality.

References

Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21.

Kuhathasan, N., Dufort, A., MacKillop, J., Gottschalk, R., Minuzzi, L., & Frey, B. N. (2019). The use of cannabinoids for sleep: A critical review on clinical trials. Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 27(4), 383.

Melas, P. A., Scherma, M., Fratta, W., Cifani, C., & Fadda, P. (2021). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety and mood disorders: molecular targets and epigenetic insights from preclinical research. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(4), 1863.

Rice, J., & Cameron, M. (2018). Cannabinoids for treatment of MS symptoms: state of the evidence. Current neurology and neuroscience reports, 18(8), 1-10.