What is CBD?CBD (Cannabidiol) is one of approximately 113 chemical compounds found in hemp known as cannabinoids. CBD, the second most abundant cannabinoid, interacts with the body’s central regulatory system that manages homeostasis and affects bodily processes such as appetite, mood, memory, sleep, and immune system functions.
Can I get high from CBD?No. The phytocompounds extracted from hemp plants contain only small amounts of THC, the psycho-active compound that causes a high. The active phytonutrients and other compounds in hemp oil extracts offer many health and wellness benefits of the cannabis plant while allowing you to maintain a clear mind. It must be noted, however, that the minute amount of THC in the hemp oil can build up in your body over time and show up as a positive urine test.
How to take CBDNothing in this section is intended to diagnose or prescribe CBD. Your ideal dosage of CBD depends on several factors including your weight, your size, and the physiological, nutritional, and pain relief goals you seek to achieve. Most people begin with 10 mg. taken orally either by swallowing it or by placing it under the tongue for 60 seconds from one to three times a day.
A typical adult human dosage can range from 10 to 50 mg. of hemp oil per day.
Benefits of CBD:Scientific research now shows the many health benefits of CBD. Cannabidiol is a component of marijuana and hemp but it does not produce the psychoactive effects another component of marijuana, THC, produces. CBD produces strong medicinal and therapeutic effects for many common conditions.
DigestionCBD stimulates appetite, according to the National Cancer Institute. CBD also eases nausea and vomiting for individuals having chemotherapy and other treatments.
AnalgesicCBDs bind to CB1 receptors in the body to relieve pain. CBD also has an anti-inflammatory effect that reduces swelling.
Treatment for AnxietyCBD may alleviate severe social anxiety. Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder, or SAD, is one of the most common forms of anxiety disorders that impair quality of life.
In a 2011 study, scientists studied the effects of CBD on people with SAD. The scientists selected 24 people with this condition who had never received treatment for SAD then divided participants into two groups. One-half of the group received 600 mg of CBD while other half, the control group, received a placebo.
The group receiving CBD showed significantly reduced anxiety while those in the placebo group demonstrated higher anxiety levels.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 15 million US adults in the are afflicted with social phobia and about 6.8 million US adults have a generalized anxiety disorder. Treatment with CBD may be better than anti-depressants because it acts quickly and has few side effects.
Cancer-Related BenefitsThe National Cancer Institute has several studies regarding the anti-tumor effects of CBD. One study in mice and rats indicates CBDs “may have a protective effect against the development of certain types of tumors.” CBDs show involvement in tumor cell death, the inhibition of cancer cell growth, and through control and inhibition of the spread of cancer cells.
Results from a study by California Pacific Medical Center suggest CBD “turns off” the gene responsible for the spread of breast cancer and also inhibits ID-1, an action that keeps cancer cells from traveling long distances to other tissues.
