What is CBD? Is it Marijuana? Is it going to get you high? Is it legal? So many questions and so much confusion. I am writing this to help clear up some of the confusion around CBD supplements.
The CBD industry is exploding and I have been bombarded by CBD companies wanting me to carry their products. But with so much “dirty” CBD out there, and the market becoming saturated with products from China, or products that had little to no CBD, or were claiming to have ingredients that were absent, or that were full of pesticides and toxins… I stayed away. Until now.
I never want to offer you a product that I don’t personally test out on myself and my family, and that I haven’t researched thoroughly. First, let’s go through the basics of what CBD is…
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol oil is one of the most talked-about but misunderstood pieces in the Cannabis industry. It offers profound medicinal benefits for a wide range of health conditions while minimizing the mind-altering effects typically associated with cannabis usage.
CBD is NOT Psychoactive and it is NOT the same as THC. Hemp and Marijuana are different! In a recent study, 47% of the United States believed they were the same thing.
CBD stands for Cannabidiol.
It is the single most prominent, naturally-occurring cannabinoid component found in industrial hemp plants and is “a cannabinoid devoid of psychoactive effect,” meaning that you will not become intoxicated if you consume CBD. After THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol), hemp CBD is by far the most studied natural cannabinoid. According to many researchers, CBD may be the single most important cannabinoid ever discovered.
The human body contains a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system, or the ECS, involved in regulating a variety of functions including sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response. The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system.
CBD actually allows your body to produce more endocannabinoids indirectly. It doesn’t stimulate them directly. As a result, you are able to potentially get inflammation and anxiety modulating effects.
Benefits of CBD
CBD and Pain.
In one study, CBD injections reduced pain response to surgical incision and another rat study found that oral CBD treatment significantly reduced sciatic nerve pain and inflammation.
CBD and Anxiety & Depression.
If you have been following me for a while, you know that one of my main focuses is to alleviate the skyrocketing cases of anxiety and depression. I believe many cases of mood disorders can be corrected through diet and supplements like iodine, which 96% of the US is deficient in.
In addition to the supplements I recommend, CBD also has shown promise as a treatment for both depression and anxiety. In one study, 57 men received either CBD or a placebo before undergoing a public speaking test. The researchers found that a 300 mg dose of CBD was the most effective at significantly reducing anxiety during the test. It has even been used to safely treat insomnia and anxiety in children with post-traumatic stress disorder. CBD is linked to alleviating mood disorders due to its ability to act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior.
CBD and Cancer Related Symptoms.
CBD may help alleviate symptoms related to cancer treatments such as nausea, vomiting, and pain. In one study, 177 people with cancer-related pain who failed to experience relief from pain medication actually experienced a significant reduction in pain when taking CBD and THC.
CBD and Acne.
Acne can be caused by a number of factors including bacteria, inflammation, hormones, and an overproduction of sebum, which is an oily secretion made by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Based on scientific studies, CBD oil may help treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce sebum production. Additionally, as most diseases and conditions are caused by inflammation and I so strongly promote is anti-inflammatory diet and supplements, CBD is one more tool to reduce inflammation. The inflammation could be causing acne.
CBD and Neuroprotective Properties.
Many researchers believe that CBD’s ability to affect the endocannabinoid system and other brain signaling systems may provide benefits for those with neurological disorders. For instance, one of the most studied uses for CBD is in treating disorders like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
CBD and Heart Health.
Recent research has connected CBD with several benefits for the circulatory system and heart, including the ability to lower high blood pressure. In a study of 9 healthy men, one dose of 600 mg of CBD oil reduced resting blood pressure compared to the placebo. In the same study, the men were given stress tests that normally increase blood pressure and a single dose of CBD led the men to experience a smaller blood pressure increase than normal. Additionally, animal studies have shown CBD may help reduce inflammation and cell death associated with heart disease due to its powerful antioxidant and stress-reducing properties.
CBD and The Brightfield Study
In a study done by the Brightfield Group and HelloMD, 2,400 people were surveyed about their knowledge, perceptions, and misconceptions of CBD, making the largest study of its kind.
Here were the findings:
- Overall, the study found that consumers of CBD are very satisfied with its effectiveness for treating a variety of medical conditions including insomnia, depression, anxiety, and joint pain.
- 42% of those using CBD products were able to stop their prescription medications.
- 80% of the group found that CBD was either effective or very effective at treating their specific conditions which included a variety of issues, from anxiety and depression to joint pain.
- Less than 3% of those surveyed found the CBD to be ineffective.
- 66% of the participants found their CBD products to be more effective than over-the-counter medications.
- 52% of those surveyed found their CBD products to be more effective than their prescription medication.
Sara Banta
Sara Banta is a Stanford University Graduate with a Degree in Economics and Psychology, and a certified Natural Supplement Expert & Graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Sara is the Founder of Accelerated Health Products and host of the health & wellness podcast, Accelerated Health Radio.
