CBD: What You Need to Know

Over the past two years, health experts ranging from veterinarians to psychologists have been touting the benefits of CBD oil. It is credited for treating a wide range of medical conditions, including pain, anxiety, and insomnia.

Thanks to the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production, the manufacture and distribution of CBD oil has exploded here in the U.S. According to a recent report, consumer sales of CBD oil will reach around $1.8 billion in the U.S. by 2022, a significant jump from approximately $500 million in 2018.

So, what is all the buzz about? Let's take a look at what CBD is, its safety, and its health benefits. (1, 2)

What Is CBD?

CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of the 100-plus compounds found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis, commonly called marijuana, is one of the oldest domesticated plants in the world. Historians have found references to cannabis in Ancient Roman cookbooks, and the Ancient Chinese used the plant to treat rheumatism, gout, and malaria.

Today, most people associate cannabis with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical responsible for producing a "high" feeling. However, CBD does not create this psychological effect, and CBD products must have less than 0.3 percent THC to be sold legally in the U.S. Some experts point out that CBD can actually counteract THC's psychedelic component. (3)

CBD oil is made by extracting the CBD compound from the buds and flowers of the cannabis plant and then diluting it with a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil.

Is CBD Safe?

After considering CBD's psychological effects, many people next want to know about any possible side effects.

First, CBD oil is not addictive. Many people who take CBD regularly find that they need less and less of the compound over time. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, "In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD." (4)

To understand any risks involved in taking CBD products, it's important to know that the most substantial scientific research comes from its FDA-approved use to treat two forms of childhood epilepsy. During clinical trials of Epidiolex, the FDA-approved CBD drug, children between the ages of 2 and 18 were prescribed high daily CBD doses for 14 weeks. For reference, these daily doses amounted to 1,360 mg for a 150-pound adult, which is more than an entire typical bottle of CBD oil. (5)

The kids' most common side effects included tiredness, decreased appetite, gastrointestinal problems, and altered liver enzymes. The research indicates that these side effects mostly subsided after doctors stabilized their doses.

Although there are fewer scientific studies on CBD oil, preliminary research indicates most people tolerate it well.

The most commonly reported side effects include:

• dry mouth

• diarrhea

• reduced appetite

• drowsiness and fatigue

• irritability

And, once again, these issues tend to resolve themselves with the correct dosage. (6)

What Are the Health Benefits of CBD Oil?

Now that we know what CBD oil is and any potential problems with taking it, let's get into what everyone –including me --  has been excited about this product.

CBD Oil for Inflammation and Stress

A growing number of studies show that CBD oil can help relieve pain, inflammation, and stress throughout the body and help keep our bodily systems in balance.

Our bodies produce endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that attach to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. You could think about it like this – the cannabinoid receptors make sure that all the body's systems work together at the right levels. If one gets out of balance, the receptors send more cannabinoids to bring that system back into sync with the whole body.

Scientists are discovering that CBD products may help reduce chronic pain and inflammation by impacting this endocannabinoid receptor activity and interacting with neurotransmitters. CBD is showing promise in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. (7)

CBD Oil for Anxiety

CBD also can help ease anxiety and stress disorders. We are all facing more stress and anxiety than ever these days, and researchers know that all this tension can take its toll on our minds and bodies. You can hear more about ways to reduce anxiety in this video. 

CBD oil is showing effectiveness in treating several forms of anxiety, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Although scientists are not exactly sure how CBD works in the brain, some research shows it may affect serotonin levels. Serotonin is the chemical that plays a role in your sleep-wake cycle and your mood, and research suggests that medications that regulate serotonin levels may be useful in treating depression. (8, 9)

A 2016 case study found that CBD reduced a child's PTSD and helped her sleep. Other studies show that CBD oil produces a calming effect in the central nervous system that can help reduce anxiety. (10, 11)

CBD Oil for Insomnia

About 40 million Americans suffer from chronic long-term sleep disorders every year. We know there is a connection between anxiety and sleep disorders, so it makes sense that CBD oil can help us sleep better. Evidence shows that CBD oil can help regulate the body's natural circadian rhythms. (12)

A study published in The Permanente Journal found that 66 percent of adults participating in a sleep study reported improved sleep after taking CBD oil. Another study found that CBD decreased sleep interruptions and increased total sleep time. (13)

Interestingly, depending on the dose, CBD can help people stay awake as well as fall asleep. Since falling asleep during the day, or feeling groggy, can be a result of nighttime sleep problems, CBD oil can be useful in these instances as well. (14)

CBD Oil for Pain

Another emerging health benefit of CBD oil is in the treatment of chronic pain. A study from the European Journal of Pain indicates that CBD applied on the skin could help lower pain and inflammation in arthritis patients. Another report shows CBD oil may help inhibit inflammatory and neuropathic pain. More study is needed in both of these areas, but preliminary results are exciting. (15)

Researchers are also tracking results of CBD oil studies in the treatment of joint pain and inflammation, gout, lupus, tendonitis, sprains and strains, muscle spasms, and other sports-related injuries

Is It Legal to Buy CBD Oil?

The answer is yes – but with some qualifications. That 2018 U.S. Farm Bill we mentioned earlier gives the FDA the authority to regulate products containing cannabis or cannabis compounds, including CBD oil.

Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level but are still illegal under some state laws. Most online CBD sellers require you to verify your age, and if you're buying CBD products from a dispensary, most states require you to be 21. Be sure to check your state's laws and those of anywhere you may travel.

How Much CBD Oil Should I Take? 

The optimal dose of CBD oil can vary depending on your weight and the potency of the oil. Since there is no industry standard, each brand of CBD oil can have the following differences:

• Overall potency

• Ratio of cannabinoids in the oil

• Ratio of terpenes in the oil

• Being a full-spectrum oil or a CBD isolate

The most common dose of CBD is in the 20 to 40 mg per dose range. However, some people take as low as 1 mg, and others take up to 100 mg. Depending on the strength of the oil you're using, this amount could be a few drops to several milliliters

To make things even more confusing, two people of the same weight can respond differently to the same dose of CBD oil. 

Here are the factors to consider:

• Your height and weight

• The condition you're treating and its severity

• The potency of the CBD oil

• Your tolerance to CBD

• Your body chemistry

Health experts recommend beginning with a very low dose (such as 2 mg) and then slowly increasing it by 2 mg per dose until you find what works best for you. Most droppers dispense 30 drops for every 1 mL of oil. You can calculate a dose per drop by dividing the amount per mL by 30. (16)  

What to Look for When Buying CBD Oil 

Salons, spas, health stores, online retailers, and even major pharmacy chains now offer a dizzying of CBD products in ingestible and topical forms. However, not all CBD oil is the same, and some industry experts have referred to the current state of the hemp industry as like the Wild Wild West in terms of how fast and loose some companies are playing with the rules.

For example, some products contain an isolated CBD instead of a full-spectrum CBD compound. Additionally, since hemp is a heavily sprayed crop in the U.S., some CBD products can contain pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, or other unhealthy ingredients.

Following the FDA regulations, CBD-infused health and beauty product labels should not provide any false or misleading information and should offer the following:

• identity statement

• statement of the quantity of contents

• name and place of business

• distributor statement

• material facts

• warning or caution statements

• ingredients

Federal regulations are still developing. However, the FDA also requires that CBD oil and CBD-infused product labels not make any therapeutic or medical claims. (17)  

CBD Oil That I Recommend: PRoZE

To take the guesswork out of ordering CBD oil, I have done the legwork for you. I’m proud to announce we are partnering with PRoZe for our CBD products.

Our CBD oil is, first and foremost, organically-sourced, third-party tested, and non-GMO. But we go well beyond that criteria to make our oil the perfect natural blend. 

The PRoZE CBD blends contain the following components:

• 20 ancient essential oils

• 90 phyto-medicinals

• 8 whole-plant extracts

• 25 super antioxidants

• 62 vitamins and sea-based minerals

PRoZE is also:

• Organically sourced

• Third-party tested

• Trusted by professional athletes & physicians

We are excited about our partnership with PRoZe, and I recently interviewed the dynamic company founder and CEO, Sanjeev Javia, in our Experts Webinar Series and shared the recording above. 

My favorites of their products are the Nodzzz Sleep & Anxiety Formula and the Yipeez Focus Gum. 
Please use this coupon code DETOXSHOP for 15% off all PRoZe products as a gift from Sanjeev.

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Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is trained in functional health coaching and has worked with thousands of women over her career since 2004. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Collaborative llc and HormoneDetoxShop.com.

Check out her easy 5-Day DIY Detox Guide here!