What is CBD Oil? Dosage & Benefits (Anxiety, Pain, Sexual Health)

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol or CBD oil is a phytocannabinoid that is derived from the Cannabis sativa L. plant. It is among the 100 identified cannabinoids in the cannabis plant and accounts for about 40% of its extract.

CBD oil is synthesized by diluting the extracted CBD with any essential oil especially coconut oil or hemp seed oil. It is available in various products including bath soaps, beauty products, hair supplements, dietary items, and food products. The main cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

Taxonomy of CBD

Genus: Cannabis L.

Family: Cannabaceae

Species: Cannabis sativa

Health Benefits of CBD oil

There are some controversial arguments in using this product for health problems due to the presence of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in cannabis. THC causes a euphoric impact hence, it is a psychoactive product. However, sometimes it is wrongly associated with CBD that it is not psychoactive.

So, cannabidiol is an amazing option for those who are seeking relief from pain but without any psychoactive alteration in the body. Some of the potential science-backed health benefits as well as associated risk factors of CBD are mentioned below:

• Carries Anti-inflammatory Properties

Common medicines can assist with sore muscles, but some people consider CBD a more natural alternative treatment. Some studies suggest that CBD could help to suppress chronic pain and inflammation. It can also be used as a skin ointment to reduce inflammation and skin diseases.

• Helps Reduce Tobacco & Cigarette Addiction

Research published in NCBI suggests that using CBD inhalers may help to reduce cigarette craving and nicotine addiction up to 40% or more. So it may help the people who are on the journey to quit smoking. However, it needs further extensive studies to find the exact correlation.

• Helps Treat Epilepsy Attacks

Epilepsy is a general neurological disease but still, no proper treatment is available to treat this problem. Researchers are mainly focusing today on the impacts of CBD to prevent seizures without causing sedation. Synthetic drugs are still not available that can target the endogenous cannabinoid system just like CBD.

In 2018, FDA has approved the use of Epidiolex for epilepsy that is a purified form of CBD. This panel recommends this for the treatment of some rare types of epilepsy such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

In 2016, research was conducted for checking the impacts of CBD on patients suffering from seizures and its possible side effects. They concluded that patients who were given CBD orally suffered about 36.5% less per month as compared to control. However, they noted that severe complications or side effects were also there in some patients with the use of CBD.

• Minimizes the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes cognitive decline. Mostly, it occurs at about 60 years of age and gradually shrinks the brain leading to the destruction of memory and brain cells. This eventually loses the ability to carry out routine tasks.

Many people associate this with aging but this can be related to some other psychological factors. Some studies suggest that CBD might be helpful in reducing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease thus, helping to retain the ability to recognize the past moments and faces.

• Aids in Treating Cancer

Researchers are conducting some studies to identify the role of CBD in cancer treatment but this all process is in the early stages. The National Cancer Institute speaks about some potential benefits of CBD for relieving cancer treatment. But NCI does not approve it to be used extensively for cancer. Some researchers declare CBD is a powerful cancer proliferation and spread inhibitor but extensive research is still needed.

• Minimizes Arthritis Symptoms and Chronic Pain

In the United States, arthritis is among the most prevalent and leading causes of disability. It affects millions of individuals in the United States, causing chronic joint pain and inflammation.

According to recent research of 2021, cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most accepted arthritis-supportive supplements. It alleviates the signs of arthritis with almost no side effects at all.

In 2017, researchers claim that CBD oil is a much safer and effective treatment option to reduce the symptoms of joint pain and osteoarthritis in rats. Another study of 2016 on rats claims that CBD may mitigate arthritis-induced inflammation.

Research published in 2008 suggests that CBD oil may be effective to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis as well as improving sleep quality.

According to research 2006, CBD-enriched extract of cannabis called Sativex has a remarkable analgesic effect in arthritis patients that reduce the pain as well as inflammation.

Keeping aside all the above discussions based on research publications, you should never use CBD oil without consulting with your doctor. Your doctor will recommend the dosage based on other underlying health problems or medications.

• CBD Oil for Anxiety and Insomnia

It mitigates anxiety-related symptoms by regulating endocrine disruptions. It is a proven supportive therapy that manages anxiety disorders as well as improves healthy sleeping patterns. If you’re suffering from sleep disorder or even sleep apnea, take CBD oil around 30 minutes before bed. Place the prescribed dosage under your tongue (sublingual intake) for 30-60 seconds to increase its effectiveness.

Around 40 million Americans are diagnosed with anxiety disorders every year. It appears in different forms in the patient such as:

• Panic anxiety attacks
• Social anxiety
• Insomnia
• Post-traumatic stress disease

• Reduces Risk of Diabetes

Cannabidiol may reduce the risk of developing diabetes and its progression. Its treatment reduces the inflammation in the microcirculation of the pancreas. In 2018, a study suggests that CBD has a neuroprotective effect on rats suffering from diabetes that helps to prevent memory loss and nerve inflammation.

• Helps Get Rid of Acne and Skin Lesions

When your skin starts producing extra sebum or your skin suffers from inflammation and infection, leading to acne or skin lesions. Nowadays, different skin ointments and creams have CBD due to its role in lowering sebum production. Some studies suggest that skin lesions especially eczema and psoriasis may also be healed by using CBD oil.

However, enough research is still needed to know the in-depth knowledge of CBD for skin problems.

However, still there is some ambiguity regarding the effectiveness of CBD for skin disorders. So, discussing with your dermatologist before applying any CBD product to your skin is a crucial step.

• Treats Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction issue can trigger with age in which the person can’t hold ercetion for long during sexual intercourse. Generally, CBD doesn’t have a direct link in treating erection issues but it has an incredible role in treating psychological and physical health issues causing erection loss. Therefore, CBD oil is thought to be amazing in calming the body stress by improving mood; hence resolving erectile dysfunctionality.

• CBD for PCOS and Uterine Fibroids

Incredible anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may help reduce the size of uterine fibroids or cysts and relieve pain. Moreover, it also effectively minimizes the hormonal imbalance as well as tumor malignancy. But remember, CBD usage is not a permanent treatment option for PCOS or fibroids; instead it only relieves pain and minimize the growth of affected cells on a temporary basis.

Possible Side Effects of CBD Oil

Like other medicines, CBD also carries some potential hazards. The majority of CBD products do not have FDA approval, implying that they have not been thoroughly tested. Moreover, it also interacts with certain other medications. Anyone who uses CBD, whether as a prescribed drug or in other forms should consult with a physician first. FDA still does not recommend the usage of this treatment as an alternative to conventional medicines.

Some of the most common CBD oil side effects may be:

• Gastrointestinal trouble
• Fatigue
• Interactions with other medicines
• Mood swings and depression
• Harmful for pregnant and lactating mothers

How to Use CBD?

The recommended dosage of CBD varies on the basis of your general health, age, and the complication you are using it. You can use CBD orally or externally by using any of the below-mentioned methods:

• By mixing in your food or drink
• Taking it directly through a spoon or dropper
• Swallowing it in the form of capsules
• Massaging its paste on the skin by mixing it with some other essential oil
• Spraying it under your tongue

Does CBD Oil Expire?

Like all other natural products, cannabidiol oil also degrades and expires. Usually, its expiry duration ranges from 1-2 years depending upon ingredients and the way of its storage. However, it doesn’t pose any serious health problem if you take it mistakenly after the expiry date; but its therapeutic effects will definitely be lost to some extent.

Is CBD usage legal?

According to State Medical Cannabis Laws, 2021, cannabinoid drugs especially THC are beneficial in relieving pain, nausea, vomiting, HIV, and cancer as well as boosting up an appetite. However, certain cannabinoids are concerned with psychological impacts like euphoria, and sedation.

So, it is quite confusing for the widespread use of this drug for medical treatments. You should not choose any medicine carrying cannabinoids without the approval and consultation of your health care advisor.

Hemp-derived CBD products (having less than 0.3% THC) are legal on the federal level, but illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level but are legal under some state laws. Check your state’s laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and maybe inaccurately labeled.

Concluding Remarks

Today, people are taking much interest in CBD oil for various health problems.  FDA still has not approved all cannabis-derived products for every health concern without the prescription of your doctor. You can check the legal matters of CBD usage before considering it as a natural treatment alternative. Unapproved products usage may be harmful to your health.