Making Sense of the CBD Oil Hype
Making Sense of the CBD Oil Hype
Depending on the state you live in, you may have witnessed a dramatic rise in the number of CBD oil shops opening up, especially in downtown areas. Due to recent studies highlighting some positive results and leaner regulations from states, CBD oil has become almost commonplace. What is CBD oil, and why all the fuss behind it?
Let’s take a look at the potential benefits of CBD oil, where to find it, and things to keep in mind when buying it.
What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol or CBD is sourced from the cannabis plant. The extract is then combined with what is known as a carrier oil, or a natural way to dilute the pure CBD, making it more bioavailable. For example, coconut oil is a standard carrier oil.
Although CBD is sourced from cannabis, you don’t have to worry because the extraction process only collects the cannabidiol and not the psychoactive compound known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes that feeling of getting “high.”
Proven Benefits of CBD Oil
Cannabidiol contains 104 natural compounds that can promote several health benefits. Research is still on-going for many uses of CBD oil, but let’s take a look at the most common findings.
Natural Pain Relief
Perhaps the most cited benefit of CBD oil is natural pain relief. CBD has been said to work as an anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce acute and chronic pain.
One research review compared the results of 18 studies involving CBD oil for the use of pain relief. Researchers confirmed that 15 of the 18 studies showed extremely positive results with the overwhelming majority of subjects reporting pain relief. Side effects were rare and well-tolerated.
In another study of people who have multiple sclerosis, researchers found that subjects using CBD oil reported a significant decrease in pain and muscle spasms when compared to their placebo counterparts.
Alleviates Cancer Drug Side Effects
The prescription medications associated with cancer treatment may not provide the pain relief that patients need. What’s more, they may have a list of their own side effects. For those undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or taking medication for the condition, CBD oil may offer natural relief from the typical side effects of pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Studies show that subjects who use CBD oil during chemotherapy treatment experience less nausea and vomiting. Also, they report having a healthy appetite, something that typically goes away for those people going through chemo.
Another study showed that patients who used CBD oil in place of their prescription pain medication reported greater satisfaction and less pain.
Promising Research for CBD Oil
The following are promising benefits of CBD oil that require more human-based research. For those interested in using CBD oil to manage the symptoms below, be aware that the consensus about these benefits is still on the fence.
Natural Anti-Anxiety and Antidepressant
Anxiety and depression are two of the most prescribed and treated conditions in the United States. Prescription medications for anxiety and depression can present some side effects, including insomnia, migraines, and sexual dysfunction.
Furthermore, these medications can create a dependency, which can be trigger painful and nauseating withdraw symptoms if you stop taking them. Nevertheless, CBD oil is showing a lot of promise as a natural anti-anxiety and antidepressant.
One human-based study with a small sample group of 24 people split the subjects into two groups: one used CBD oil, and the other used a placebo. Researchers found the CBD oil group reported significantly fewer symptoms related to anxiety and depression.
Natural Anti-Seizure
Like CBD oil, brain health, and the diseases associated with it have become a hot topic. Adopting specific diets and lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of cognitive disease and help those currently suffering from seizures. Studies are suggesting that CBD oil may be a lifestyle change that can offer relief from seizures.
Several studies show extremely promising results. From children to adults, subjects are reporting a decrease in both the number of seizures and the severity of the seizures. More research is needed, but CBD oil may help to cut down on prescription seizure medication, providing a natural form of treatment.
Using CBD Oil for Other Conditions
The following conditions are based on anecdotal reports or animal studies. While there may be a potential benefit for CBD oil with these conditions, there is minimal research regarding the publication of CBD oil related to the following:
Acne
Almost everyone experiences the embarrassing effects of acne at some point in their lives. While there are a few factors at play, skin inflammation predominantly drives the occurrence and severity of acne. Some people suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil can alleviate acne symptoms.
One in-vitro or petri dish study proposes that CBD oil successfully decreased inflammation associated with acne.
Heart Disease
Did you know that one in four deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease? According to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease is the number one cause of death in both men and women. Diet and lifestyle changes can dramatically decrease your risk for heart disease, but some researchers believe that CBD oil can also help.
One animal-based study is suggesting that CBD oil may be an effective way to protect the heart from oxidative damage and inflammation associated with heart disease.
Where to Purchase CBD Oil
If you live in a state where CBD oil is legal, you can easily find it in health-food stores, local CBD-focused retailers, or online.
If you live in a swing state that hasn’t criminalized or legalized CBD oil, you can purchase it online, but it’s essential to check the legality status of it first.
How to Purchase CBD Oil
When purchasing your CBD oil, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
Check the Dosage: Trustworthy brands of CBD oil will display the number of milligrams of cannabidiols. If you’ve never tried CBD oil before, we recommend starting with a low dose between five to ten milligrams. Try this for a few weeks to see how you respond then adjust the dosage as needed.
Avoid Big Claims: Don’t spend your money on any brand of CBD oil that makes bold health claims. The more extravagant the claim, the more likely it’s not a good product. Claims about inflammation and anxiety are okay, but anything more grandiose than that should be avoided.
Don’t Buy Propylene Glycol: Some people enjoy vaping their CBD oil, which we don’t recommend, but if you do – purchase a brand that is free of propylene glycol. A solvent that doesn’t do well at high temperatures, propylene glycol is an irritant and may increase the risk for certain illnesses.
Source from Colorado: Buying CBD oil that is made with hemp sourced from other countries presents the problem of no regulations. When you buy CBD oil, we recommend purchasing a brand that is sourced from Colorado, a state with the highest level of federal testing and quality control.
Considering CBD Oil?
Which benefits of CBD oil interest you? Have questions about CBD oil and how it may help your chiropractic treatment? Let us know at 773.878.7330.
Additional Notes:
Legal considerations
When shopping for CBD products there are a few legal things to consider. First, it is worth mentioning that CBD oil itself may be derived from hemp or marijuana. Marijuana-derived CBD tends to contain more THC, up to 3% by weight, while its hemp-extracted analog produces up to a maximum 0.3% THC (a value far less than the standard threshold for “getting high”).
Moreover, readers should be assured that hemp-derived CBD oil is legal federally in all 50 states. On the other hand, marijuana-derived CBD oil legality varies significantly across state lines (regardless of the content in the extract).
Generally speaking, CBD oil derived in vape-shops is hemp-derived. Conversely, CBD oil in dispensaries tends to be marijuana-derived.
In Illinois, CBD oil sold in vape-shops is legal but not regulated because they are outside the Illinois medical marijuana program. Even though the ingredient itself is the same, the legality isn’t, and so you need a medical “greencard” certifying your need for marijuana-derived CBD oil, but only if you suffer a condition that qualifies for the use of medical marijuana.
Lastly, it should be known that currently, using a THC and/or CBD oil could cause a failed drug test at work or even a roadside sobriety test. Again, this is may vary depending on the state in which you live.
The “gray area” of “the green”
To better understand CBD and its sale as a product it is important to consider the legal parameters of this material. As stated earlier, CBD and THC are both chemicals derived from the cannabis plant family. Moreover, “marijuana”, that being the flowering bud of this plant rich in psychoactive cannabinoid derivatives, is currently regarded by the federal government as a Schedule 1 narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act. Furthermore, substances under this classification are considered to have no medical value and a high potential for abuse. For example, heroin is another drug defined as a Schedule 1 narcotic.
The impact of this federal jurisdiction means that researchers in the US curious to investigate the possible medicinal qualities of cannabis, and cannabinoid derivatives alike, have difficultly receiving funding for research due to its current schedule 1 status.
That being said, readers interested in further examples of published research are encouraged to consider international outlets, as regulation of cannabis is highly variable between countries. Nevertheless, as in the case with any research document or publication, one should observe the “acknowledgements” or “funding” for the research, being keen to recognize any conflicts of interest or bias in the paper’s results. (Think of it this way, a company looking to test the efficacy of its product is more inclined to submit only favorable information for publishing. While on the other hand, a non-biased third party researcher may be more willing to report the information gathered from research in its objective, unadulterated totality.)
Meet Shannon Ford OT/L, IMP-2M, a functional medicine expert passionate about helping people achieve optimal health and wellness. With over ten years of experience in the field, Shannon has dedicated her career to understanding the underlying causes of chronic diseases and finding personalized solutions for her patients. Her approach focuses on treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms, using a combination of nutrition, lifestyle changes, and cutting-edge medical technologies. Through her work, Shannon OT/L, IMP-2M has helped countless individuals regain their health and vitality, and she is committed to continuing her mission to empower people to live their best lives.
