So you’re new to CBD; first and foremost, welcome to an exciting new industry! CBD products have a lot to offer people of all ages, and scientific research backs up many of the claims that CBD is responsible for. If you’re like many new CBD users, you probably have a lot of questions you’d like answered.
Below, you’ll find basic information on CBD, its products, what it does, where it comes from, and more. Hopefully, this information will answer any questions you have and help you better understand the compound and what to expect.
You’re starting an exciting journey; now let’s dive deeper into CBD!
Contents
CBD Vs. THC
One of your first questions was probably something along the lines of “isn’t CBD the same as THC?” Don’t worry, this is a common misunderstanding, and easily fixed once you understand what CBD and THC actually are and where they come from.
THC and CBD are both cannabinoids. These are naturally-occurring chemical compounds that are concentrated in the Cannabis plant. You probably recognize that name, don’t you? Let’s take a step back before any assumptions are made.
Cannabis Sativa is the name of the “parent plant” of two different strains: marijuana and hemp. You’ve probably heard of both, but like most people, assume they’re the same thing.
Hemp is a strain that contains much higher concentrations of CBD, which is not psychoactive, so it won’t get you high.
Marijuana, on the other hand, is both illegal and psychoactive. It creates a “high”. That’s because it contains a much higher concentration of the THC cannabinoid.
Our bodies are actually biologically designed to accept cannabinoids and interact with them. Our nervous system actually contains cannabinoid receptors, which both THC and CBD stimulate in specific ways.
To clarify, CBD/hemp is legal at the federal level, whereas THC/marijuana is illegal; despite several states having their own laws about it.
Benefits of CBD
Now that you know what CBD is and how it’s different from THC, let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits that it can offer.
CBD comes in many forms; oils, topicals, gummies, edibles, and more (if you’re looking for CBD products, browse this site). This makes getting your CBD easy and offers plenty of choices, no matter how picky you are.
Some of the main benefits attributed to taking CBD are:
Pain Relief: CBD is known as a natural painkiller. It’s a good alternative to opioid-based painkillers, as it’s safe, non-addictive, and actually more affordable than some prescription drugs. Of course, you don’t want to just ditch your prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.
Anti-Inflammation: CBD is also a natural anti-inflammatory compound. It can help reduce inflammation from localized conditions, chronic conditions like arthritis, injuries, or post-workout soreness.
Anticonvulsant: CBD is a natural anticonvulsant. This simply means that CBD is effective at preventing and reducing the severity of seizures and convulsions. There’s even a CBD-based prescription on the market for rare seizure conditions.
Anti-Anxiety: One of the most common uses of CBD is to help reduce anxiety. It’s thought that CBD interacts with serotonin, which affects mood and emotion management. CBD has anti-anxiety effects, which leads many people to use it to de-stress and manage anxiety-related conditions like PTSD and depression.
Drug Abuse Treatment: Some evidence suggests that CBD is actually effective at reducing the symptoms of addictions and helping addicts recover from drug abuse; particularly opioid abuse.
Research Supports CBD’s Benefits
Many new CBD users or skeptics of the compound assume that it’s all just a trend and that there’s no real evidence to back up the claims of CBD’s benefits. The fact is this assumption is wildly untrue, as there is a growing body of evidence to support CBD in many applications.
A study published on the U.S. National Library of Medicine website found that CBD and certain cannabinoids showed particular effectiveness at managing symptoms of PTSD, which is an anxiety disorder often caused by significant mental/physical trauma.
Not to mention, there have been hundreds of other studies conducted on CBD’s behalf, including a study on its effectiveness in improving cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients.
As of now, the amount of evidence available supports CBD use in humans, but we’re still learning new information with each new study.
Misconceptions
Let’s talk about some misconceptions you’ll likely come across while using CBD.
It Gets You High: CBD is not going to get you “high” like its cousin, THC.
It’s Dangerous: CBD hasn’t been found in any clinical trials or research efforts to cause any significant harm in humans. In fact, the side-effects are usually mild, including things like fatigue and dry mouth.
It’s Illegal: As of 2018, hemp and CBD are legal at the federal level in the US. All 50 states have also legalized CBD, with specific regulations in each state. Check your local laws.
It’s A Hoax: This is one of the most common misconceptions. Skeptics believe the use of CBD to be “just another health fad”, when, in fact, the evidence suggests that CBD’s benefits are quantifiable and abundant.
Products
Where’s the best place to get CBD products if you’re new to the practice? While your local grocery or retail store may have CBD products in the health/beauty aisles, it’s always a good idea to get your products from a reputable dealer. Many of the best CBD dealers in the industry operate online.
Be sure to check your sources and only buy from CBD companies with a reputation for quality and consistency. The last thing you want is a sub-par product for your first experience with CBD.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve covered the basics, you can start your CBD journey with relative confidence. Remember those misconceptions, and trust the growing body of research that supports CBD and its multitudinous benefits.
As the research grows, so too does our understanding of this versatile compound. Remember to only buy from reputable sources, and don’t spend your money on something you can’t verify.
