Are you baffled that why people are incorporating an ingredient derived from cannabis plant into their diets and not getting high? Are you trying to understand the hype surrounding CBD and to find whether it works or not? If yes, then you have chosen the right source to expand your knowledge in this domain.
According to Sarah Cohen, an R.N. and the secretary of American Cannabis Nurses Association, Cannabidiol, abbreviated as CBD, is one of the 80 chemical compounds, termed as Phytocannabinoids, produced by the cannabis plant.
Research has shown that CBD is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, which means that it does not stimulate euphoria as in the case of most of the other cannabinoids. However, it is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and therefore, is psychoactive.
Still, the question is, why its popularity is surging day-by-day and what benefits you can get from consuming it?
3 Major Benefits of CBD:
Although research in CBD is still in its initial stages, a few studies have shown that it might have a positive impact in treating epilepsy, schizophrenia and joint pain. Beauty lovers! There is something for you in it as well.
- CBD and Epilepsy
Scientific studies have shown that CBD might be effective in treating severe childhood epilepsy syndromes, scientifically termed as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which usually fail to respond to antiseizure treatments.
Observations showed a decrease in the tendency of seizures in CBD users; whereas, in a few cases, they stopped altogether. The major breakthrough in this regard took place when FDA approved Epidiolex, a cannabis-derived medicine which contains CBD.
- CBD and Psychosis
Recent brain imaging studies to observe CBD’s impact have shown that it might counter psychosis, a mental disorder that forces patients to hallucinate, by resetting the brain’s activity in three areas.
The lead author of this study, Dr. Sagnik Bhattacharyya from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College, London shared that the usage of CBD as a drug has shown immense potential in counteracting the symptoms of Psychosis and works unlike any other anti-psychotic.
However, Dr. Bhattacharyya is unsure of how this drug would work in long-term dosing. Therefore, a large-scale human trial is being conducted to determine CBD’s viability.
- CBD and Beauty
I am sure you must have seen CBD among the list of ingredients in a number of beauty products promising to make you look more fresh and radiant. Well, Jeanette Jacknin, a board-certified dermatologist confirms that they aren’t that wrong, because CBD affects the endocannabinoid system and can make you look more youthful.
According to a Professor and the chair of the Department of Immunology at the University of Debrecen in Hungary, Tamás Bíró, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which help in countering conditions such as, acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
However, despite these benefits, choosing a CBD beauty product is quite risky, specially online. A study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) confirmed this, and its lead-author, Marcel Bonn-Miller advises the customers to ensure the accuracy and consistency of ingredients used before buying any CBD beauty product.
How to Use CBD?
There are several ways to intake CBD depending upon the symptom for which it is being consumed. These range from adding in daily diet to massaging it on the skin. Some of the common and effective ways are given below:
- CBD in Food and Drinks
Have you ever read the list of ingredients present on your coffee? Or other beverages that you consume throughout the day? If no, then give it a try, you would be astonished to find the number of products that contain CBD.
This is because, nowadays, the CBD usage is increasing and a number of food and beverage industries are incorporating it in their products. If you intend to test its benefits, then you can do it by adding a few drops of CBD oil in your food, just like Justin Caffier did during his experiment of “CBD infused meals for a day”.
However, CBD’s usage should strictly be based on the instructions provided by a medical professional. Furthermore, you shouldn’t add it in your diet unless you are confident that the amount of CBD mentioned on the label is the actual amount present in the oil.
- CBD as Beauty Products
CBD is gaining popularity in the beauty industry for its contribution to healthy and glowing skin. A number of beauty products are incorporating it in their formula to enhance their customers’ skins.
These products range from beauty creams to face masks, but the question is, will you leave your face on the mercy of a beauty product whose CBD’s quantity is unknown? I am sure your answer will be no. According to JAMA’s research, 70 percent of the tested products were mislabeled.
- CBD Under the Tongue
If you want to consume CBD oil with ease and enjoy fast and greater absorption, then place it under your tongue. This might sound bizarre, but it is the most common method of consuming it.
In this method, you have to place CBD oil under your tongue for about 60-90 seconds. This will result in fast absorption via capillaries present in the mouth. You can swallow the remaining oil so that it enters your bloodstream via the digestive system.
