CBD Oil might have been the biggest “wellness” product to hit markets in 2019. I feel like I saw it everywhere. From the usual suspects promoting it, Instagram influencers, to even moms selling it on Facebook, it seemed like everyone was on the trend.
But is it worth it?
In my opinion, yes! I was skeptical at first, but since taking it routinely, I have seen some great results. I always get questions about CBD so I figured I’d add it to my series “All About _____.”
To start, let me explain the basics.
Cannabidiol, known commonly as CBD, is one of the many known cannabinoid compounds which is found in the marijuana plant. In fact, there are over 400 chemical entities in the plant. The name itself might cause some eyebrows to raise (my mom still won’t try it) but with proper use, you might see a plethora of benefits.
CBD, Is It Addicting?
To properly separate CBD from the common negative misconceptions, it is important to learn about another compound which is THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the principal psychoactive compound found in marijuana. Basically, it is THC that causes the ‘high’ sensation.
CBD, unlike THC, is not psychoactive. To come up with CBD oil, the compound is extracted from the marijuana plant and then mixed with a carrier oil. Although discovered all the way back in 1940, it is only recently that people started singing its praises.
Before we talk about what this magical oil can do, let’s talk about determining good quality CBD oil versus bad quality.
How To Determine Quality
If you have been on social media for five minutes the last couple of months, chances are you received an ad for CBD oil. With hundreds of CBD companies on the market, and more emerging each day, it is important to really research the quality of the oil before purchasing.
One of my friends, Erin @nutritionrewired, has her own CBD line. She’s an R.D. who lives in Boston and is super knowledgable about all things CBD. Instead of writing out my process in determining if CBD is quality or not, I’m going to link to her blog post “Your Guide to CBD Products,” because it is so useful.
Benefits of CBD Oil
When I first started using CBD oil I didn’t know what was going to happen. I had seen many people utilize the oil but was interested to see how it would help me, as it seems to impact people differently. While there are specific benefits for me, easing back pain and sleeping better, there is a multitude of benefits that have been reported through research trials.
I like to keep these posts more informative so I am going to skip going into depth about my own experience, and instead focus on the science behind the oils.
It Helps to Relieve Pain
Our body contains a system called the endocannabinoid system or ECS. Among many things, this system helps in regulating our immune system response. CBD helps to improve our body’s ECS, which in turn helps to improve our immune system. This reduces inflammation which increases well-being.
A variety of studies have proven that CBD is very effective in treating arthritis and joint pains in general. Taking CBD can also help manage cartilage breakdown. It also aids in surgical pains and nerve pains as well.
Where I have seen the biggest change in my life by adding CBD, is in my pain levels. I have suffered from inflammation-based diseases since I was a child and I have seen a direct correlation in my pain levels and CBD usage.
It Can Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
In my unprofessional opinion, anxiety and depression are two of the biggest problems our society faces today. It is reported that 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. alone suffer from mental illnesses. That’s 20% of the population.
Usually, these two conditions are treated with pharmaceutical drugs which are full of chemicals and unfortunately, can be addicting instead of healing. There is a time and place for pharmaceutical drugs, so I am not saying they should never be taken, I’m simply saying that there are sometime alternatives that work too!
Using CBD oil is a great and natural way to help aid anxiety and depression. It is also used to treat insomnia and even PTSD. Researchers believe that the oil impacts how the brain reacts to serotonin, the happy chemical, which is regulated in people with depression and anxiety.
Beneficial For The Skin
Studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory agents in CBD oil can help reduce breakouts. It can even reduce sebum production, which contributes to acne. On the other hand, the antioxidant properties of the oil help to nourish the skin.
Beneficial For The Heart
A lot of people, young and old, are suffering from high blood pressure. Studies have proven that people who are given CBD oil reduced their blood pressure. This is believed to be the result of CBD’s ability to help aid anxiety and inflammation.
Potentially Lessen Chemotherapy Side Effects
Cancer is evil and something that many of us know all too well. A lot of people battling cancer have to deal with nausea, vomiting, and terrible pain. Many cancer patients that have tried CBD oil have credited the compound with helping to reduce their chemotherapy side effects.
I hope this post helped you understand CBD Oil a little bit better. As always, reach out with any questions, comments, etc. You can send me an email here or shoot me a DM on Instagram.
xx Linds
P.S. This blog post is part of a series on different wellness trends, you can check out All About Collagen, All About Adaptogens, and All About Nootropics.
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