What is CBD oil?
![Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid — any bioactive compound extracted from cannabis. The benefits of CBD oil include that it is beneficial for pain management, it prevents digestive disorders, it's useful for mental health, and other benefits.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/what-is-cbd-used-for.jpg?output-quality=75)
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has gained popularity over the years for its therapeutic effects. It’s an extract of the stem, leaves, and seeds of cannabis (marijuana). Marijuana’s stem has the highest CBD oil concentration of about 1.8%.
Despite the controversy surrounding the use of cannabis and its products, cannabidiol is among the few cannabis extracts with approval for medicinal use. Biotechnological advancements have quickened and eased the testing processes to fast-track its use in drug development.
Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid — any bioactive compound extracted from cannabis. Other phytocannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabigerol (CBG). The plant-based bioactive compounds give cannabidiol its therapeutic properties.
Nutritional components of CBD oil
The primary source of CBD oil is the hemp plant. Besides bioactive compounds, the hemp plant also has nutrients like protein and fiber.
The protein in hemp mainly consists of nonessential acids like arginine and glutamic acid. The oil in hemp’s seeds has essential fatty acids, which are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that can reduce inflammation.
PUFAs are also vital in reducing your risk of acquiring chronic diseases like heart and bone-related diseases, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Besides oil, the hemp seed will also provide complex carbohydrates like fiber.
Is CBD oil psychoactive?
A psychoactive compound affects your brain functions, resulting in drastic mood, feeling, and behavior changes. CBD oil is nonpsychoactive, as it lacks THC, the bioactive compound that influences how your brain works.
Is CBD oil legal?
CBD oil is conditionally legal in most countries. Some countries have approved it for medicinal purposes only, whereas others have approved its use in food ingredients to make beverages, chocolates, pastries, breakfast cereals, and vegan delicacies.
CBD oil's THC levels play a part in its legalization in most countries. The purer the cannabidiol extract, the higher its chances of legalization. CBD oil’s source is another factor that contributes to its legalization.
For instance, the United States passed a bill that only legalized the use of all hemp-derived CBD oils and at the same time made cannabis-derived CBD oils illegal.
What CBD oil forms are commercially available?
Cannabidiol is commercially available in tablets, capsules, gummies, and oil. Topicals like creams, ointments, and lotions may also be CBD oil-infused primarily due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Health benefits of CBD oil
CBD oil intake is not only linked to therapeutic benefits. Scientific studies have shown that the consistent consumption of CBD oil products provides long-term health benefits, primarily by preventing noncommunicable diseases.
1. CBD oil is beneficial for chronic pain management
CBD oil has been used as a pain reliever since ancient times. It's been proven to be a better and safer option than opioids. Opioids have a lower safety profile since it’s easier for patients to deviate from the recommended dosage.
Opioid dependence continues to be a problem in the medical field, but potent pain relievers like CBD oil significantly contribute to the fight against drug dependence. This is largely thanks to its lack of psychoactive properties.
2. It prevents digestive disorders
Cannabidiol boosts your digestive system to prevent disorders like irritable bowel diseases. Stomach-related conditions can cause discomfort or pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and bloating, among other symptoms.
Cannabidiol aids in relieving stomach-related disorders. Besides assisting in digestive therapy, it promotes a healthy gut system by maintaining proper conditions for gut bacteria to flourish. A healthy gut system generally boosts your overall health.
3. It's useful for mental health
Clinical trials have confirmed that CBD oil produces a soothing effect that reduces psychotic symptoms. It controls psychotic symptoms like confusion, speech deficiencies, and sudden loss of interest in activities that used to matter to the person.
It also helps reduce symptoms linked to cognitive impairments that may arise as you age. Cognitive impairments will affect your brain’s essential functions, like memory retention, concentration, decision-making, and ability to learn new things.
Phytocannabinoids are helpful in the regulation of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Some other neurological disorders that cannabidiol regulates include multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder.
More research is needed on CBD oil’s effects on post-traumatic stress disorder, lack of sleep (insomnia), Tourette syndrome, and bipolar disorder.
4. CBD oil promotes heart health
It has antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, lowering blood pressure. Oxidative stress is a significant contributor to heart diseases. Heart-related complications may include diabetes, kidney, and liver damage.
5. It relieves chemotherapeutic effects
Chemotherapy is one of the main forms of cancer treatment. Patients typically receive chemotherapy drugs in large doses, and like many drugs, they also have side effects.
Chemotherapy-related side effects tend to be severe and include pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. CBD oil aids in reducing cancer-related symptoms too. Although helpful, CBD oil is not a one-size-fits-all solution for all types of cancer.
6. CBD oil aids in drug and alcohol rehabilitation therapy
It significantly aids the rehabilitation process by reducing drug withdrawal symptoms like cravings. Research has notably found it to reduce alcohol, tobacco, heron, and other stimulant cravings.
7. It promotes bone health
Studies have found that cannabidiol enhances bone regeneration in fractured rats. Due to age, genetics, and other factors, improved bone regeneration processes are essential to replace lost bone mass over time. CBD oil also aids in preventing rheumatoid arthritis.
8. CBD oil boosts overall brain functioning
Phytocannabinoids regulate stress, anxiety, and other factors affecting proper brain development and functioning. Its bioactive compounds also enhance memory retention and other cognitive abilities.
CBD oil intake may result in side effects like diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and appetite changes. An allergic reaction or improper dosage can bring about these symptoms. Talk to your doctor to get a prescription or figure out if CBD oil is right for you. Keep in mind that self-medicating may result in more problems than solutions.
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QUESTION
Negative emotions are more powerful than positive emotions. See AnswerCannabis and Cannabinoid Research: "Cannabis and Pain: A Clinical Review."
International Journal of Molecular Sciences: "Cannabidiol and Other Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids for Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders: Useful Nutraceuticals?"
Harvard Health Publishing: "Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don't."
International Journal of Molecular Sciences: "The Effects of Cannabidiol, a Non-Intoxicating Compound of Cannabis, on the Cardiovascular System in Health and Disease."
Journal of Cannabis Research: "The therapeutic role of Cannabidiol in mental health: a systematic review."
?Mayo Clinic Proceedings: "Clinicians' Guide to Cannabidiol and Hemp Oils."
Stroke: "Use of Marijuana: Effect on Brain Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association."
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