Natural remedies get swapped in the digital age like recipe cards did 50 years ago, and the latest craze is in cannabis. CBD oil has gone from taboo to one of the most popular natural remedies of today, with users touting benefits ranging from pain relief to improved focus for ADHD sufferers.
But what exactly does it do, and how does it work? Here we explore the chemistry behind the oil, and how it can be used safely to treat a wide range of ailments.
Will I get High?
CBD oil, or cannabidiol hemp oil, is an oil extracted from high CBD, low THC hemp. Unlike marijuana, hemp is a plant that doesn’t produce the psychoactive effects. With its high CBD content, CBD oil is perfect for relaxing muscle tension and relieving pain, and produces a much more physical than mental effect.
What Does CBD Oil Do?
CBD oils works to support the endocannabinoid system. Believe it or not, there’s an entire network of neuroreceptors in your brain that are designed to make use of the endocannabinoid compounds your body naturally produces on its own.
This systems is responsible for regulating everything from pain to memory. However, due to most modern diets being so heavily processed and devoid of endocannabinoids, most people do very little to support their own endocannabinoid system.
That’s where CBD oil comes in. Typically used as a remedy rather than a supplement, CBD oil stimulates these receptors and kicks your system into high gear, helping to alleviate symptoms from a wide range of ailments.
This is far from hippie pseudoscience; There have been over 23,000 peer reviewed studies on the effects of cannabinoids in the body in the last decade to back up the incredible benefits of this safe supplement.
For a treatment with such profound benefits, CBD oil has very few side effects. Some users report getting a little drowsy, but great quality CBD oil produces little, if any, unexpected consequences, and many even advocate safe usage with children.
Are there Health Benefits?
So what does CBD oil actually treat? Pretty much everything, it seems.
People have reported success in using CBD oil to treat everything from chronic pain conditions to migraines, and have even reported using it for relief during the pains of childbirth. It’s also been shown to be beneficial for psychological disorders, and can even relieve symptoms of intense neurological disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.
There’s also some evidence to suggest that CBD oil may inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells, and even lower the incidence of type 1 diabetes.
Is It Legal to Use?
Because of its clandestine association with marijuana, CBD oil has long been treated like an illicit substance. So what’s the deal, is it legal or not?
Believe it or not, CBD oil is legal in all 50 states — what’s not legal is growing hemp. For this reason, as demand for CBD oil has skyrocketed in the US, suppliers are having a hard time keeping up. The import market for hemp has soared as a result.
Curiously, legislation has since been introduced to legalize hemp on the heels of the growth of the $500 million a year industry.
In short, yes CBD oil is legal, but getting your hands on it locally isn’t always an option.
How Can I Buy it?
While there’s a lot of science and trust that goes into choosing the right supplier for CBD oil, a wide range of products that go well beyond the little glass bottles of oil are making competition fierce for buyers’ attention.
Sure, CBD oil is a great supplement, but CBD bath bombs? Pour us a glass of wine and come back in an hour, because that sounds heavenly. Products designed to relax and soothe are bursting beyond the boundaries of the little brown bottle, and into a menagerie of medicinal products that are way more fun than a Tylenol.
From soaps and creams, to unassuming lip balms, and even beard balm, there’s something for everyone made from CBD oil — start your Christmas list now.
Why Does Using it Have a Stigma?
Despite CBD oil being nothing like its psychedelic cousin, marijuana, many stores are reluctant to sell it, and many customers are hesitant to admit to using it. The social stigma surrounding CBD oil isn’t based on science, but rather the plant’s familiarity with its bodacious bud producing relative.
However, the science is there, and consumers have clearly spoken — this stuff works, and we want more of it. As demand continues to rise and the testimonials continue to pour in for the efficacy of CBD oil, one thing’s for sure: these little bottles of awesome aren’t going away any time soon.
Have you ever tried CBD oil? What benefits did you notice? Tell us on Facebook or Instagram, and tag us in the post! #AvocadoMattress or @AvocadoGreenMagazine
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