Even if Illinois residents can’t yet enjoy weed gummies in the way we imagine West Coasters doing every day, we now have the first tastes of CBD oil. Mainstream cannabis culture seems to be slowly growing its way into Illinois with the election of a pro-marijuana governor. And a new Attorney General has raised hopes to expand the medical cannabis industry beyond just 40 serious medical conditions.
But hemp-derived CBD oil requires no wait. In fact, it’s perfectly legal. Without the psychoactive effects of a compound called THC, even traditional Midwesterners can see past the stigma of marijuana as a stoner’s drug.
From Whole Foods to specialty stores, you’re likely to find bottles of CBD tinctures, lotions, balms and vape pens. In this new frontier of CBD products, read on to learn what it is and if it’s right for you.
What is CBD Oil?
Although the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is THC, it’s only one of many chemicals—known as cannabinoids—made by the cannabis plant. And unlike the marijuana plant, hemp has had the THC largely bred out of it.
In other words, CBD means no high. No paranoia. No munchies at 3 p.m. after you’ve ingested several drops under your tongue. The federal legal limit of THC in hemp is only .3%.
Branching from the same source, the Cannabis sativa plant can produce a “female” marijuana plant or a “male” hemp plant. Does that mean that CBD extracted from hemp is equal to CBD derived from marijuana?
According to Franjo Grotenhermen, former Chairman of the Interational Association for Cannabinoid Medicines, “CBD is CBD.” Which is to say, the human body doesn’t care where the molecule comes from.
Although a combination of THC and CBD has proven to have a greater effect in treating specific conditions, marijuana is still illegal across most of the United States. For now, it’s a safer bet to opt for hemp-derived CBD.
How CBD Works with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
Researchers now believe that our bodies are actually wired for this plant. The ECS is made up of endocannabinoids and their receptors. From the brain and organs to glands and immune cells, these signals are found everywhere.
And like an automatic cruise control system, the ECS regulates our brain, endocrine and immune systems to reach homeostasis, or internal balance.
Is your temperature too high, too low, just right? Are your hormone levels what they should be? Is your heat beating too fast? When you sweat, your ECS works to cool you down. Stomach growling? It’s signaling you to eat. Naturally, researchers are looking for answers when the ECS fails to regulate one or more of our bodies’ essential functions:
- Appetite
- Digestion
- Immunity
- Inflammation
- Mood
- Sleep
- Fertility
- Motor Control
- Temperature Regulation
- Memory
- Pain
CBD and other cannabis products stimulate the ECS, which means they’ve becomes a source for potential treatment.
Can CBD Treat Your Condition?
In 2018, a New York restauranteur introduced CBD into his menu and made headlines by saying, “CBD is like the penicillin of the 21st century.” The future has to yet to determine if the symptoms and ailments of millions of people will be eradicated by the compound.
However, it’s gaining momentum in the health and wellness worlds, with some scientific studies confirming its potential to treat a variety of ailments.
Chronic Pain
There are two main types of pain: musculoskeletal and nerve. The tricky part is that evidence suggests that CBD works best for pain when it’s combined with even small amounts of THC. It’s even been dubbed the “entourage effect.”
Several studies found that a combination of the two compounds was effective in treating multiple sclerosis and arthritis pain.
Although you’ll need a prescription to access THC, fibromyalgia patients are also finding relief taking isolated CBD without the addictive side effects of opioids.
Anxiety and Depression
CBD has been shown to reduce levels of stress and anxiety, especially in those suffering from PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder.
Studies found that CBD may reduce depression by enhancing the function of the receptor responsible for serotonin production. It also may stimulate neurogenesis—the brains ability to create new neurons—just like the antidepressants Paxil and Zoloft.
Inflammation
Diet and lifestyle are the main culprits of chronic inflammation. But when you’re already practicing a low-sugar, high fiber diet with sleep and exercise, CBD oil may help.
Based on a study in Future Medicinal Chemistry, CBD was shown to have the potential to suppress inflammatory responses, particularly for chronic diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
Childhood Epilepsy
CBD has anti-seizure properties that have been shown to treat drug-resistant children who have neurological disorders like epilepsy. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine of cannabidiol treatment for patients with severe early-onset epilepsy reported a 50 percent reduction in the frequency of drop seizures.
A highly publicized story of Charlotte Figi, a young girl with Dravet syndrome, also made headlines when she was treated with a low-THC, high-CBD hybrid strain of medical marijuana—a mix between industrial hemp CBD and low-THC cannabis dubbed “Charlotte’s Web.” In less than two years, she went from 300 grand mal seizures a week to roughly three in a month.
Heart Health
Narrowed or blocked blood vessels can lead to a heart attack or stroke, but many other heart conditions affect your heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm. Based on research, CBD can limit stress-induced cardiovascular response, reduce artery blockage and lower blood pressure.
Acne
While acne is often a byproduct of hormones, medications, diet and stress, our sebaceous glands and hair follicles also contain cannabinoid receptors. These receptors work to communicate with the nervous system for different effects, including the reduction of inflammation.
A study in 2014 showed that CBD could help reduce oil production and thereby have anti-acne and anti-inflammatory attributes.
What Should You Look for in Quality CBD Products?
As CBD oil seeks to go mainstream, it’s tough to tell which products hold up to scrutiny. The cannabis plant is complex with many compounds. CBD is one of them, and THC is one of them.
But not all CBD products are created equal.
Has it been third-party tested? A Journal of the American Medical Association study of CBD products bought online found that 26 percent contained less CBD than labeled, which could nix any potential health effects. Websites and product labeling should clearly state their quality assurance.
Is it a full-spectrum product? In other words, cannabinoids come in all shapes and sizes. Other compounds like cannabidivarin or cannabigerol are more effective together than alone. Small doses of full-spectrum CBD might be more effective than large doses of a product with isolated CBD.
Does it claim to be a cure-all? Not only is research unable to provide concrete and absolute evidence that CBD can cure diseases, but it’s illegal to say so.
Are you buying CBD or oil? Some products claim to offer the benefits of CBD when they’re merely hemp oil, which would offer health benefits roughly equivalent to olive oil.
Looking for pure hemp CBD products? I offer premium organic, whole plant, pure hemp extracts you can trust for their safety and CBD properties. Check out more at Cary Apothecary or contact me to chat here.