When the word “cannabis” pops into your head, “good for your health” is likely not going to be your next thought; however, certain elements of cannabis, such as CBD can help improve your overall health. CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one part of a cannabis leaf. CBD most commonly comes in the form of an oil, and is used to help with anxiety, sleep, seizures and other health issues.
Let’s first start with what CBD will not do to you. Unlike a typical marijuana plant, or another cannabis-related acronym in THC, CBD will not make you high . While it does not produce a high and the side effects are limited, CBD oil is not approved by the FDA and is even illegal in some states with stricter marijuana laws due to its association with the drug.
Now on the more positive side, CBD has been used to help improve the quality of life for people with a myriad of different health issues. Partly due to limited research because of its questionable legal status, most studies involving CBD can only “suggest” that there is a link between using it and seeing improvements with some ailments.
Even with this limited research, the results so far have been encouraging for people who experience seizures, insomnia and chronic pain. Most of the studies evaluating how CBD can help with pain were conducted on animals, but those still provide hope for people who have exhausted more traditional solutions. While most studies are more recent and conducted on a smaller scale, one 2018 report studying long-lasting pain found that CBD was “effective in overall pain management.”
For those who are searching for the relaxed feeling that some CBD products claim to promote, a Vice article examined which products actually made them feel better. While certainly not the most scientific method, the author tried each of the products and gave his review on how it made him feel. Again, there is no high or psychedelic experience, but many people feel that it has a calming effect. What the reviewer found was that CBD did not provide much of an impact on sleep or mood in small doses, and that tinctures were more effective than CBD drinks or vapes.
And so far, there is no good answer to what the right dose is. The right dosage depends on a number of factors, such as your weight or whether the CBD is in oil, liquid, or another form. But many medical leaders believe that as the number of studies available increases, the right dose will gradually become more apparent.
From oils to gummies to creams, there are a plethora of CBD products on the market. Much like anything that is promoted as a cure for almost anything, it is natural and healthy to be skeptical of its promises. Nevertheless, CBD has shown many promising signs in helping with health issues — and may continue to provide more evidence of improvement as the number of studies surrounding this supplement increase.
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