What is CBD? Today we’re going to talk a little bit about what CBD is and pretty much everything you need to know about it.
What is CBD? Everything You Need to Know About CBD
What Is CBD?
Let’s begin with the basics – what is CBD?
CBD refers to the word “cannabidiol”. Cannabidiol is a type of “cannabinoid”. Cannabinoids are a class of chemical substances that join the cannabinoid receptors of the body and brain. Cannabidiol is the second most prevalent active ingredient found in the cannabis plant – the first being THC.
Unlike THC, which has psychoactive effects when ingested, CBD has no psychoactive effects and can even moderate some of the negative side effects that people experience as a result of THC.
Where Does CBD Come From?
CBD is a cannabinoid derived from resins of the cannabis Sativa plant. It does not have the psychoactive effects of the cannabinoid THC, but it does have a number of beneficial physical effects.
Is CBD Legal?
One question that many people have is about the legality of cannabidiol. The legality of CBD depends on the state where you live. In Florida, hemp-derived CBD oil is legal in Florida so long as it comes from hemp plants with less than 0.3% THC by weight. Additionally, medical marijuana patients can access CBD oil with higher levels of THC.
The Question of Quality
When it comes to the quality of any products you are using for your health, it’s important that you always use quality-controlled products. The problem with CBD is that there is no regulation of CBD products (with the exception of the one FDA approved CBD drug, Epidiolex) which opens you up to the use of questionable products that may have been produced under just about any circumstances.
When it comes to medical marijuana, however, there are very strict state regulations that monitor and regulate the growth, production, and processing of medical marijuana. This means that the products that you purchase from a state-licensed dispensary are going to be quality products that were created and processed under strict supervision. You will always get a quality product that your doctor is confident prescribing to you.
Does That Mean That Cannabidiol Isn’t an Option?
Not at all. Plenty of doctors here in Florida recommend hemp-CBD based products for a variety of health concerns. And, for some health concerns, these products can work quite well. If your doctor recommends a CBD product, however, be sure to ask for a specific product recommendation. This will make sure that you don’t purchase just any product because, in the case of cannabidiol health products, all products are not created equal.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
So, what are the benefits of cannabidiol? Research into the use of CBD has been limited, but it has shown promise in a number of areas. Some of the conditions that have benefitted from cannabidiol treatment include:
- Severe epilepsy disorders like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) – CBD has shown to reduce epilepsy seizures and, in some patients, stop them altogether.
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain treatment
Are There Side Effects Of CBD Use?
As with anything designed to relieve symptoms, side effects can happen and they depend on a variety of factors. For example, other medications you are currently taking, your genetic makeup, any existing health concerns, etc.
Some of the side effects that have been seen with cannabidiol use in some people include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Increased levels of certain medications in your blood
This last side effect is of particular concern which is why it’s never recommended that you self-prescribe CBD products. Like grapefruit, cannabidiol increases the levels of certain medications in the blood and this can even cause life-threatening problems (particularly in the case of blood-thinners).
Could Medical Cannabis Help You With Your Symptoms?
If you think that medical marijuana could help you with your symptoms, Dr. Tirmal – the Medical Marijuana Dr. – in Cape Coral can help. To set up an appointment to discuss your needs and to see whether medical cannabis is right for you, just use our easy online appointment tool!