The CBD industry has been growing steadily for the past few years and continues to do so. Sales are expected to reach around $1.8 billion by 2022. it’s following along with the strand of the total legal cannabis market which is projected to be $23 billion by 2025.
If you want to give it a try, but aren’t convinced it is a healthy solution for your condition, take a look at what the science has to say about CBD oil. you may be surprised at what you find.
What is CBD?
Before we dive into the science, here’s a quick primer on what CBD is. CBD is cannabidiol which is one of the many active compounds in the Cannabis sativa plant, which you may be more familiar with as marijuana. The difference is that you will not experience a stoned feeling when you use it but you will still be able to benefit from its therapeutic effect.
The best CBD oil comes from extracting CBD from the cannabis plant and then diluting it with a carrier oil. CBD can come from the marijuana plant but it is most commonly harvested from the hemp plant to eliminate the THC. To be legal in the United States, CBD oil cannot contain more than .3% THC.
A 2009 study published in Neuroendocrinology Letters details more about the human body’s endocannabinoid system or ECS. It is this system that allows CBD oil to address so many different health concerns. As a lipid signaling system, it is involved in various parts of the body.
Our ECS plays a role in the hormonal regulation of food inside, our cardiovascular system, or gastrointestinal system, our immune system and even behavior and reproduction. Advances in science have correlated the ECS with drug addiction and alcoholism. ECS dysregulation has been correlated to metabolic syndrome and obesity.
Strengths and Doses
When it comes to finding the right CBD oil product for you, it is crucial to pay attention to the strengths and doses.
Because it has yet to be standardized and certain conditions require different amounts to be effective, 250 mg citrus CBD oil drops may be helpful for one person while another person may only require a 100 mg oil.
The Science
CBD research is ongoing, and while larger clinical trials are necessary to confirm, plenty of studies show promise in using CBD oil to treat a variety of health issues.
A 2016 study published in The Permanente Journal examined the effectiveness of CBD oil for Pediatric anxiety and insomnia as part of post-traumatic stress disorder. It found that CBD oil Can Be an Effective compound to reduce anxiety and insomnia caused by PTSD. Ultimately, then while her anxiety did not completely go away, the patient was able to sleep better and was less anxious at both home and school. No side effects were observed as a result of using the CBD oil. In this study, a 25 mg dose was provided at bedtime, alongside a 6 to 12 mg sublingual spray was used as needed during the day.
A July 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine revealed that using CBD either as a singular therapy or in conjunction with regular antipsychotic medication, patients with schizophrenia saw improved symptoms in patients. Using CBD and THC mixture showed a positive effect in reducing short-term withdrawal and craving and cannabis use disorders.
A June 2019 article published in Pain and Therapy indicates that cannabis users have long reported the therapeutic effects of the plant for a variety of conditions including nausea, seizures, neurogenic diseases, and pain control. There are currently three cannabinoid drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Epidiolex is the only plant-derived cannabinoid currently approved in the USA. It is a CBD extract used to treat epileptic disorders. The article indicates that it may also be beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain conditions. Another drug in the UK, Sativex, has been shown to reduce pain and muscle spasms in patients with multiple sclerosis. The difference is that Sativex contains both CBD and THC.
Our ECS responds to the different compounds in the body through to cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2. generally, CB1 receptors exist mainly in the central nervous system and brain and are almost non-existent through the rest of the body. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, can be found throughout the body.
However, and people with obesity, the CB1 receptors become more widespread especially in fatty tissue. As a result, researchers believe there could be a link between the activation of the CB1 receptors and obesity.
CBD products don’t activate the CBD receptors directly but instead influence the body’s natural cannabinoids to either block off or activate the receptors which may play a role in weight loss and other critical metabolic functions.
In a 2018 study, researchers note CB1 receptor antagonists may help reduce appetite and thereby control obesity because CB1 receptor agonists block off or deactivate the receptor. Those CBD does not deactivate the receptors, it may influence other molecules to block them off, in turn, allowing the appetite to calm down and prevent overeating.
A 2012 animal study found that exposure to CBD reduced appetite in rats. This along with anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD is helpful for appetite suppression but as of now there haven’t been any direct studies to indicate that CBD can reduce appetite in humans.
Is it Right for You?
If the science behind CBD oil has got you ready to give it a try, you are not alone. However, it is always a good idea to speak with your doctor before starting any kind of CBD treatment regimen. It is possible that you are currently taking medications that may interact with the CBD and cause those medications to behave differently in your body.
Another article in Pain and Therapy indicates that CBD can elevate liver enzymes and is metabolized through the liver in similar ways as many prescription medications which may lead to unintended side effects of other medications patients take on a daily basis. Thats why open and honest conversations with your healthcare providers, along with a high-quality CBD oil product are essential to promoting overall health.
To learn more, check out this CBD guide.