In this day and age of consumerism, we all have countless products or stuff laying around our apartments, in our cars, in purses, on work desks, and in our drawers. The true epitome of consumerism can be seen in a typical woman’s bathroom: we have lotions, serums, creams for the under eyes, day cream, night cream… and the list continues on and on: you get the idea. We start to understand just how much stuff we own, especially well when we have to travel somewhere for a long time or move. These are the times when we start to become overwhelmed and realise that perhaps we need to have a proper clear-out and maybe even put some effort into re-thinking of our consumption choices. Do we really need a special product for one special part of our body? Do we need a special nose spray for different types of a runny nose? We don’t mean to mock the consumerism and let’s be honest - everyone has their “thing” that they are very passionate about and need a lot of options. For some, it is beauty products; for others, it might be a collection of running shoes for different types of surfaces. We don’t blame you. However, living in such a world, it makes it that much more fascinating when we find multi-purpose products. Imagine if you had one package of one product that can satisfy a dozen demands, and instead of having a whole basket full of stuff, there is only one compact bottle of oil. We are hinting at CBD oil of course - the new trendy product that can be so universal and versatile, you wouldn’t believe it.
In this article, we would like to shed some light on the subject of CBD oil and CBD infused products in general and talk about their versatility to spark your curiosity.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound that is gathered from hemp, or more precisely, Cannabis Sativa L. plants and is well-known for its therapeutic benefits. It helps to relieve pain, anxiety, and nervousness as well as to overcome the post-traumatic syndrome. Unlike THC, another cannabis compound, CBD does not make you high as it is not psychoactive. How does it work? Everyone has a so-called endocannabinoid system in our bodies. It consists of cannabis-like molecules — endocannabinoids, which transmit signals from the body to the brain and help to keep them in balance. CBD reacts with some of them, more precisely with CB1 receptors that are involved in memory, cognition, and internal organs’ functions. Cannabidiol encourages the endocannabinoid system to produce more molecules and thus helps to relieve unpleasant symptoms.
Benefits of Using CBD Infused Products
As we’ve mentioned, CBD, unlike THC, is not psychoactive. This quality makes CBD an attractive option for those who are looking for good pain management treatment and relief of other symptoms, without causing harm to the physical or mental health of the person.
It is becoming incredibly popular in the field of health and well-being; many studies confirm its beneficial properties. Here are some of the main benefits of CBD oil that are backed by scientific evidence.
Pain Management
Researchers collected the results of multiple systematic reviews covering dozens of trials and studies. Their research concluded that there is essential evidence that cannabis compounds are an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.
One study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine supports these results. This research suggests that using CBD can reduce pain and inflammation. They noted that cannabinoids, such as CBD, could be a new treatment for people with chronic pain.
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that CBD reduces pain and inflammation, and studies of CBD in humans and animals show that it is well-tolerated and causes few adverse effects. Nowadays, a lot of people are turning to CBD as an alternative pain reliever.
Also, CBD can help people with arthritis as it shows a positive effect on such pain. A study, which was published in the journal Pain in 2017 analysed whether CBD could reduce osteoarthritis pain and joint neuropathy. Based on their results, researchers proved that it did both because it served as a protectant to the nerves and also decreased joint inflammation.
Sleep and Anxiety Management
There is evidence that CBD oil has a calming effect on the central nervous system. Interest in CBD as a treatment for a wide range of disorders has increased dramatically, but there are only a small number of clinical studies of CBD in psychiatry.
A scientific experiment was carried out in which monthly documentation of anxiety cases and sleep quality data were collected in 103 adult patients. During the study, sleep and anxiety were evaluated using proven agents and after treatment of the same symptoms with CBD.
The results of this experiment were impressive. The final sample consisted of 72 adults who had problems with anxiety or poor sleep. As a result of using CBD oil, anxiety attacks decreased during the first month in 57 patients (79.2%) and remained so throughout the study period. Sleep indicators improved during the first month of the study in 48 patients (66.7%) but fluctuated slightly during the observation. In this review, CBD was well tolerated in all patients except for 3 participants.
Neuroprotection
Researchers believe that CBD can act as a neuroprotective compound. It can help reduce damage to the nervous system and brain and also stimulate the development and growth of neurons. Temporary or permanent damage to the nervous system may be caused by several factors, such as:
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Genetic disorders;
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Autoimmune disorders;
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Traumatic shock;
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Oxidative stress.
The benefits of using CBD to repair and protect from such damage have not gone unnoticed. CBD has many therapeutic properties that are useful for strokes, head injuries and diseases and injuries of the spinal cord. The neuroprotective properties of CBD have also shown promising results in treating and limiting the progression of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic sclerosis. Nowadays, there is evidence that CBD can also be used to prevent damage of cells and the nervous system, as well as to heal them.
Several studies have shown that CBD treatment has improved the quality of life and sleep of people with Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, animal and test-tube studies have shown that CBD can also reduce inflammation and help prevent neurodegeneration caused by Alzheimer’s disease. It is important to note that some people in these studies experienced adverse reactions associated with treatment that used CBD, such as fever, cramps, and fatigue.
Cancer Control
Some studies have found that CBD may also be useful in the fight against cancer. The authors of the review published by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found evidence that CBD can significantly reduce and prevent the spread of cancer. Researchers also noted that the compound could inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
It was discovered that CBD has a low level of toxicity which encourages them to continue studying its properties in order to use it as an addition to standard cancer treatment further. CBD is also known to be a great product to manage chemotherapy symptoms by relieving pain and reducing nausea.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Various heart diseases are some of the most common health problems of our time. They are the main cause of deaths in the United States. Of course, a healthy lifestyle and following specific diets are a top priority for people prone to cardiovascular diseases, though CBD can also be beneficial.
A small study published by JCI Insight in 2017 found that CBD can prevent fluctuations in blood pressure as a result of stress. During a scientific experiment, nine healthy male volunteers received a single dose of either CBD or a placebo. It was discovered that participants treated with CBD had a lower blood pressure than those who took a placebo, both before and after stress. According to researchers, cannabidiol helps to:
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Reduce the risk of clogged arteries;
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Prevent processes that subsequently cause heart attacks;
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Reduce and stabilise blood pressure;
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Reduce blood cholesterol.
Acne Treatment
Acne is a prevalent skin disease that affects 9% of the population. Usually, it is caused by a number of factors, such as genetics, bacteria, excess oil production by the sebaceous glands, dirt, and dead skin cells that clog pores. Propionibacterium acne bacteria can accumulate, causing red spots. Treating acne involves hygiene and reduction of excess oil produced by the skin.
Most studies on the subject of how CBD can be used to treat acne highlight the ability of the compound to prevent major processes that cause inflammation.
In one of the studies published by The Journal of Clinical Investigation scientists measured the effects of CBD compounds on the skin in a laboratory.
As a result, it was discovered that CBD inhibits the production of sebum, and, importantly, has an anti-inflammatory effect on the glands that produce it. They noted that CBD is an “effective therapeutic tool” for preventing and treating inflammation and acne.
Migraines
Migraine is a common headache disorder that affects up to 38 million people in the United States alone. It refers to recurrent, debilitating, moderate to severe headaches. Migraine can be chronic or acute. Pharmaceuticals, tablets, nasal sprays are a classic method of combating migraines. However, CBD oil is also known to help relieve headaches and reduce migraine symptoms. Pure CBD oil can be used to alleviate conditions that can lead to migraines in the future.
CBD for Pets
CBD can be applied to animals in many of the forms they’re used for humans: oils, edibles, pills or topicals.
It’s still unclear how exactly CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system of animals and what health benefits it can give. CBD may be useful for different conditions. In 2018 study, the researchers discovered that CBD could decrease pain and increase activity in dogs that suffer from osteoarthritis. A 2019 study showed that cannabidiol application to dogs with epilepsy could reduce the frequency of seizures.
Veterinarians don’t have many drugs available to alleviate such conditions, and most of them come with adverse effects, such as weight gain and lethargy. According to the studies of the World Health Organization, pure CBD is well-tolerated by animals. However, some studies show that it may affect liver function. It’s essential to keep in mind that the psychoactive THC compound is toxic to dogs and cats and can cause poisoning. That’s why pet care products need to contain 0.0% THC.
Types of CBD Products
Now that we have convinced you about the versatility of CBD and the benefits it can provide for our health and wellness let us discuss the variety of product types CBD can come in. It can be consumed both internally and externally, and even through inhalation. Here is a quick summary of the types of products and how they work:
Edible CBD
You can find a lot of edible products that have non-psychoactive CBD in the composition all over the Internet. These are products that you can eat and refer to what has to be ingested. Such products pass the throat and get into the stomach and intestines and go through digestion. This way, the CBD is soaked into the bloodstream, which makes the effect especially powerful.
It can take from 45 minutes to 2 hours to feel the desired effect. Depending on what you eat or have eaten prior, CBD needs different time intervals to become active. The Edible CBD group includes capsules and food and beverages that were prepared with added CBD, such as gummies.
Oral CBD
Another way of consumption is swallowing the CBD in oil form. Due to thinner and more delicate tissues of our mouths, it absorbs the oil faster than your stomach. There is also no need to eat or drink to get the desired effect.
However, CBD beverages and some edibles provide a combined effect since some amount of cannabidiol enters through your mouth, while the rest goes through the stomach.
The same case is common for tinctures. They’re quick-acting and easily controllable since you can measure the amount of CBD more precisely.
Thus, the most popular oral cannabidiol goods include CBD oils and CBD mouth sprays. Snacks represent another category of oral CBD products: gum, mints, oral strips, and so on. However, they have to be dissolved in your mouth first instead of being chewed. Thus, it leads to a slow down of the CBD effects activation.
Furthermore, vapes and smoking flowers may be considered partly-oral CBD products. Due to fragile oral tissues, they penetrate the blood-brain barrier quickly. But their core consumption method is the following.
Inhalable CBD
CBD vape oil is a substance that goes by the name of vape juice that contains CBD. Some of the vapes are pure additives that are added to available flavours, while others are pre-mixed blends.
There might be confusion as it’s not like a traditional oil. The name comes from hemp oil, which has been used for a long time before it was formulated for vaping devices. Hence, more accurate terms would be CBD e-liquid or vape juice. Regular CBD oils and tinctures are not suitable for vaping.
CBD vape oil is made using Vegetable Glycerin (VG) and Propylene Glycol (PG), explicitly formulated to be used for vaping. Most vape juices use a combination of these two fluids but using a different ratio. They are odourless liquids mixed with flavour and nicotine. VG and PG produce vapour when heated, hence why they can be inhaled.
Fluids are not toxic, which was demonstrated in a study in 2008 on rats, but inhaling Propylene Glycol needs further studies. The most common adverse effects, especially from PG, include a feeling of thirst, dehydration or dry mouth, and sore throat. They usually cause no allergic reactions; however, some cases have been reported.
Devices used for the vaping include cbd vape pens, vape mods, tanks or pod vapes. Vaping CBD oil causes a calming and euphoric sensation, elevates the mood and eases the pain.
Internal CBD
Since CBD provides robust pain relief options, it is possible to use it as a treatment strategy. For instance, CBD infused period pain suppositories are used anally or vaginally.
Another group of internal CBD products is aimed at improving sex and wellness. They act not only as a pain relief but also increase positive experiences.
Topical CBD
Сannabinoid receptors exist not only in your body but also on the surface of the skin. It opens endless possibilities for CBD-based salves, creams, rubs, oils, etc. People with psoriasis, acne, eczema, and other skin issues can benefit from the soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that CBD provides. It is able to target pain and inflammation; all you need to do is to choose a product suitable for your specific needs and your skin type. For instance, thick salves are used more often for pain rub. As for lighter oil blends, they are great for use on delicate facial skin.
Possible side effects
Most people that have partaken in the studies of CBD tolerate the pure oil form quite well. However, as with any product, it may have some side effects that you need to be aware of.
According to recent research, the most common side effects may include
Another reason to be extra cautious and consult with a doctor about consumption of CBD is its potential incompatibility or potential for additional side effects when paired with other medications or even over-the-counter dietary supplements. It may either result in decreasing the impact of either product when consumed simultaneously or give unexpected further side effects.
Furthermore, there is a limited number of studies that examine how CBD performs and effects the body in the long term as it is a relatively new concept used and studies in the context of health and wellness.
What to consider when choosing a CBD product
It is highly advised that you take extra care in selecting a CBD infused product or oil. The industry of CBD products is undergoing exponential growth, which attracts a lot of businesses. As with any market, not all of these companies have the consumers’ best interest in mind when manufacturing their products. A lot of products that are currently on the market have a poor composition and are full of chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Choose products wisely and do your research before purchasing anything to get the most of your experience with CBD.
Is CBD Suitable for Everyone?
According to the World Health Organization report, CBD products are generally safe for everyone. However, it is strongly advised to refrain from using CBD if you are pregnant or lactating. Also, if you are currently taking any medications, you should consult a doctor before using any CBD infused products. This will help you avoid the adverse effects of mixing the components.
