CBD is a common topic of conversation these days. You’ve likely heard about it multiple times. Perhaps you’ve even seen products for sale that say they contain CBD.
While you may have a vague idea of what it is and that people say it is beneficial, you may not understand completely what CBD has to offer. This can leave you with many questions. So, before you purchase a CBD product, discover everything you need to know about this substance.
I’ve always been a bit skeptical about using it, but as more and more facts come to light about the benefits of CBD, I’ve become more willing to give it a try. Let’s start with the basics.
What Is CBD?
CBD is cannabidiol and comes from the cannabis plant. This is the same plant that produces marijuana and hemp. It is a chemical compound, similar to THC, which is the substance in marijuana that produces psychoactive effects. However, CBD does not produce such effects on the body.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
The reason for the sudden popularity of CBD Harvard Health Publishing, there is evidence supporting the use of CBD for the treatment of epilepsy. There is an FDA-approved medication on the market that contains CBD for the treatment of this condition.
There is also evidence to indicate that these products may help with reducing pain, making them a great alternative to addictive substances, such as opioids. They may help reduce inflammation as well. Other conditions that CBD may benefit include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Cancer
- High Blood Pressure
- Schizophrenia
The main benefit of CBD is that it helps relax and calm the nervous system. That is why it works so well for relieving issues related to an overworked or overstimulated nervous system. Plus, it does not come with the high-risk side effects as many medications used to treat the same conditions.
What Are the Side Effects of CBD?
The Mayo Clinic explains that CBD is often without any side effects, but there is the potential for some issues:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Reduced appetite
- Dry mouth
It may also interact with blood-thinning medications.
Is CBD legal?
It is natural to wonder if these products are legal since marijuana and the cannabis plant have such a rocky legal status. The federal government legalized hemp, but marijuana is still illegal at the federal level. However, many states have legalized marijuana for medical and/or recreational use.
When it comes to CBD, it can be confusing because it is not completely legal in every state. In addition, federal law is tricky because CBD seems to be okay if it comes from hemp but not if it comes from marijuana. While all come from the cannabis plant, it is the level of THC in the plant that determines its status. Plants with less than 0.3% THC are hemp, and those with a higher level are marijuana.
The passing of 2018 Farm Bill added to the questions over CBD. This bill legalized hemp and its derivatives. So, that is why CBD from hemp is legal at the federal level. Not all states honor this bill in its entirety, which is why CBD is not 100% legal in every state.
Some states place conditions on CBD products. You may need a medical marijuana license to buy them, for example.
The best thing to do is to consult your state’s laws to figure out if CBD is legal where you live. Make sure you look at the most up-to-date sources, though, because laws on this topic change all the time.
Where Can I Buy It?
If you live in a state where it is legal, you will probably see these products everywhere. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find out where to buy them as retailers are jumping on the bandwagon and loudly announcing they sell them.
If you don’t have any local retailers, though, there are plenty of good online retailers that sell CBD products. Many states that have conditional laws about CBD only allow you to purchase them online as it is not legal to sell them in stores.
There is a range of different CBD products on the market. Some options include:
- Vape juice
- Capsules
- Edibles
- Oil
- Tinctures
- Pet products
Should You Use CBD?
CBD rarely has any negative effects on a person that make it dangerous, so most people could at least try CBD products. However, if you have health issues or are taking any medications, it is best to check with your doctor before using CBD.
This post is for informational purposes only. Always check with your health care provider before tying any new supplement or medication.