CBD oil is an effective natural remedy that can be used to promote health and wellbeing. Look for products made in the US using high-grade organic ingredients sourced responsibly.
Be mindful that CBD may interact with certain medications such as blood thinners, antiepileptics and immunosuppressants; and may affect certain lab tests like liver enzyme levels.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is an organic chemical found in hemp (a type of cannabis) that does not contain THC, the psychoactive component. It can be found as an ingredient in drinks, food products, oils and lotions sold commercially – as well as pet care items.
CBD products are not subject to regulation like medications, making it hard to know how much is in each product. Although the Farm Bill that passed in 2018 removed hemp from federal controlled substances act, individual states may still impose regulations regarding CBD.
As CBD may interact with certain drugs such as blood thinners and antiepileptic medicines, liver damage could occur and drug tests for it could show up as positive, including tests for Tylenol (acetaminophen). Therefore it’s advisable to visit your physician prior to beginning using CBD products – they will be able to assess your symptoms and suggest the ideal products tailored specifically for you; plus they’ll ensure it won’t interact negatively with any medicines already taken by you.
How is CBD made?
Understanding the differences among “isolate”, “broad spectrum”, and “full-spectrum” CBD products is often confusing for newcomers to the industry, due to industry terms that can seem indistinct but can actually be explained through different manufacturing processes.
To produce CBD oil, one simple approach involves heating the plant to decarboxylate and release its natural cannabinoid compounds for extraction – this method is known as “carrier oil.”
Manufacturers who make more complex products often employ an extraction method known as supercritical carbon dioxide, a newer technology which uses fluid CO2 instead of harsh chemicals to make extracts.
Storage conditions must be optimal in order to preserve products properly, protecting them from UV light and environmental factors that could compromise them over time. Tinctures should preferably be stored in the fridge to minimize oxygen exposure that causes their potency to decrease over time. A properly stored CBD product typically lasts one or two years with proper care taken during storage.
What are the benefits of CBD?
CBD may help alleviate pain, help people sleep more soundly, reduce nausea and vomiting related to certain cancer treatments and even lessen anxiety and improve mood. Before trying CBD for yourself it’s wise to consult your physician as CBD could interact with certain medicines including blood thinners, antiepileptic drugs and immunosuppressants; furthermore it could have an impact on blood pressure levels as well.
2022 study results demonstrated the efficacy of CBD/THC spray in relieving pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis patients. Other research indicated CBD could decrease anxiety in those suffering from social anxiety disorder; however, results are mixed as some experiments demonstrated its benefits by decreasing self-reported levels of anxiety during stressful tasks, while in others no effect could be detected.
CBD could potentially aid those seeking to quit smoking by decreasing their response to cues associated with cigarettes, though further study is necessary. Furthermore, it could possibly lower blood pressure by altering how the heart contracts and helping relax muscles in the body.
What are the side effects of CBD?
Utilizing CBD-derived products may result in side effects like drowsiness, stomach upset and dry mouth. Furthermore, CBD may interact with certain medications so you should consult your physician before adding or altering dosage levels of any new supplements or adjusting existing ones.
An online survey of 117 parents who administered CBD-enriched cannabis preparations with an average daily dosage of 4.3 mg/kg for 6.8 months found that 59% experienced adverse events; most commonly gastrointestinal disturbances [67]. This could have been triggered by interactions with antiepileptic drugs being co-administered or the presence of THC, known to increase risk in some individuals.
Epidiolex, a purified form of CBD approved for seizure reduction in Dravet’s and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes by the Food and Drug Administration, experienced mild adverse events that were typically manageable using other treatment modalities – except somnolence which affected 23%. When combined with other medications like Clobazam, Valproate, Lamotrigine or Levetiracetam however ALT/AST levels rose substantially, forcing 12% of participants to discontinue therapy [75]. It appears likely due to interactions between those medications and CBD itself.
