CBD Oil is everywhere. Chances are you know someone who is using it, has used it, or you’re thinking of using it for yourself. But do you know what CBD Oil actually is? Is it really safe and effective? We’ve gathered some information to help you understand CBD oil and its potential risks and benefits.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD Oil is made from the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis, or marijuana, plant. This makes it a good option for people looking for the pain relief benefits of cannabis without the mind-altering effects of THC. THC is the part of the plant that produces a “high”.
CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil. Manufacturers sell CBD oils in different forms like tinctures, soft gel capsules, topical solutions, under-the-tongue sprays, edibles, skin creams and patches. The CBD concentration in each of these products varies.
Several studies have exhibited CBD oil’s benefits on patients suffering from issues like epilepsy, anxiety issues, heart problems, Schizophrenia, inflammation, chronic pain and addiction. However, research is ongoing and scientists still aren’t entirely sure about CBD oil’s efficiency in treating these ailments.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Yes, purchasing CBD oil is federally legal as long as it doesn’t contain more than 0.3 percent THC. However, some state laws have put restrictions on buyers, so you should understand the specific laws in your state.
Illinois will soon become the 11th state to legalize marijuana, which means Illinois residents will be able to buy cannabinoid products that contain higher levels of THC. Fourteen “same-site” recreational marijuana dispensary licenses have been issued in Illinois, all for medical marijuana dispensaries that are already operating. They will be the first to offer recreational sales on January 1, 2020. Wondering where these 14 locations are? Here’s a list.
How does CBD Oil reduce pain?
The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system. Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters.
For example, one study in rats found that CBD injections reduced pain response to surgical incision, while another rat study found that oral CBD treatment significantly reduced sciatic nerve pain and inflammation. Read more about this here.
At The Manual Touch, we have worked with patients who’ve had good results with CBD:
- Nadine rubs CBD oil on her arthritic knees and finds some relief
- Amy used CBD for hip pain
- Drew uses CBD when he has a migraine
Denise, the owner at The Manual Touch, became personally acquainted with CBD a few years ago after she developed an inflammatory condition called chronic idiopathic urticaria, or chronic hives. The hives were accompanied with angioedema, or hives in the underlying dermal/skin layers which causes swelling. In addition to the medication she needed to manage and ultimately put her hives into remission, she searched for other products to make her more comfortable. She began taking CBD based on a referral from a friend and immediately saw a decrease in inflammation.
Years later, with her hives in remission, Denise began having difficulty falling back to sleep when she awoke in the middle of the night. She restarted CBD, and now has fewer sleepless nights. Like Denise, I’ve spoken to numerous women who are using CBD Oil to help them sleep.
Selecting the right CBD Oil
It’s important to work with a qualified health professional to select the right CBD product for you and to ensure that you’re getting a quality product from a reputable source. Cannabis, as a consumer packaged product, should have to meet standards for purity, identity and composition. Before you buy CBD oil, ask the supplier how its extracts were made and if they’re validated by a third-party tester.
It’s also wise to work with your doctor to make sure you won’t have any adverse reactions. CBD is also known to interact with several medications. Before you start using CBD oil, discuss it with your doctor to ensure your safety and avoid potentially harmful interactions. This is especially important if you take medications or supplements that come with a “grapefruit warning.” Both grapefruit and CBD interfere with cytochromes P450 (CYPs), a group of enzymes that are important to drug metabolism (Read more here).
If you’re thinking of using CBD Oil for pain relief, feel free to give us a call. The Manual Touch now carries quality CBD Oil and we’d be happy to make some suggestions based on your personal situation.
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