CBD is gaining more and more time in the limelight, and for a good reason! Standing for cannabidiol, CBD is an active ingredient found in cannabis, but it is derived from the hemp plant. Unlike cannabis, though, CBD does not cause a high and is not addictive; it only provides healing benefits, which is what makes it so appealing.
Is CBD legal?
All 50 states have laws that legalize CBD, but the number of restrictions can vary from state to state.
The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp legal in the United States, which is what CBD is derived from. With this bill, CBD is legal when it comes from hemp, not marijuana.
Hemp and marijuana plants are of the same species, and both contain CBD, but the difference between these two plants lies in their concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is a type of cannabinoid, and the one that is primarily responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis.
Hemp refers to cannabis that contains 0.3% or less THC. With such a low THC level, it is unlikely to result in a high, which is why the CBD that comes from hemp also produces no high.
Uses For CBD
There are numerous health benefits of CBD.
One significant application of CBD is for childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome. These conditions are usually unresponsive to antiseizure medications, but many studies have shown that CBD can reduce the number of seizures and may even stop them completely. Epidiolex is a medication containing CBD and is the first cannabis-derived medicine approved by the FDA.
However, CBD can also produce health benefits for conditions not so medically involved. For instance, clinical trials show that CBD can help reduce anxiety and help with falling and staying asleep. For mental health disorders, in particular, CBD is seen as an appealing treatment option that bypasses the side effects common in pharmaceutical treatments, such as sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and headaches. These medications may also become addicting, whereas CBD does not.
Those with chronic pain may also benefit from CBD, with animal studies showing that topical application of CBD may help with pain and inflammation from arthritis.
Research has also linked CBD with benefits for the heart, such as lower blood pressure, which is associated with a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and metabolic syndrome.
Side Effects of CBD
CBD has some potential side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, and irritability. Additionally, it may increase the amount of blood thinning and other medicine in the blood, so it is best to talk to your doctor before taking it to ensure you are safe to do so.
Despite these few side effects, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that not only does CBD show no addictive qualities, but there has not been any evidence of public health-related problems due to the use of pure CBD.
Navigating Marketing for CBD
CBD is primarily marketed as a supplement, not a medication, so the FDA does not regulate it. With this in mind, it is crucial that you purchase your CBD-containing products from a reputable source, such as H2E Aromatherapy.
With H2E Aromatherapy, you are guaranteed to receive products with CBD (extracted from the hemp plant’s flowers and leaves), not hemp oil (extracted from the seeds). While hemp oil offers benefits, it does not contain cannabinoids, which is what offers the distinct benefits of CBD. If you’re interested in how CBD can help you, check out our online marketplace to find a CBD product that relieves aching muscles, rejuvenates your skin, or offers an improvement in your overall well-being.