CBD or cannabidiol, is now being marketed as a one-stop solution for treating a large number of disorders related to anxiety, sleep, pain, recovery, appetite, and more. But is it all a marketing gimmick from corporations to fill their pockets? Well, not really. It turns out CBD does work, and there’s plenty of scientific and anecdotal data to verify it.
In fact, many people are now shifting to products like CBD gummies, tinctures, and topicals to improve their overall wellness. The major reason for CBD’s success is its ability to provide a healing and therapeutic experience without any risk of adverse side effects.
CBD is a non-intoxicating compound, so you can take it at any time of the day. Unlike prescription medications, CBD products don’t have any harmful chemicals in them. For long-term usage, they are much more pocket-friendly than your next best anxiety medication.
Another factor is its non-dependency factor; unlike opioid-based pain medications, people don’t get addicted to CBD products, which makes it quite easy to wean off when necessary. Today, we will explore the effectiveness of CBD in detail and its impact on humans.
How Does CBD Work?
When you take CBD in the form of oil, gummies, or other products, it gets mixed in your bloodstream and influences the working of both cannabinoid and cannabinoid receptors.
These receptors are part of our body’s internal endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for maintaining a state of balance by controlling a vast number of physiological processes. The endocannabinoid system is spread throughout our body; that’s why CBD topicals work even with just application to affected areas of the skin.
The endocannabinoid system is mainly dominant in the nervous system and brain. It’s a complex cluster of cell signaling networks and works with the synergy of receptors and enzymes that metabolize the cannabinoids.
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining balance by controlling processes like our immune response, mood, pain perception, appetite, memory, emotions, temperature, and more.
The two cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 already work with our body’s internal endocannabinoids (anandamide, 2-Ag), but their functioning gets even better when external cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, CBN, and more interact with them.
That’s why people often feel calm, focused, and less anxious after taking some drops of CBD oil or popping a gummy or two. Though it takes a few minutes to an hour, depending on the type of product you choose, the effects may last from 8 to 12 hours. You can order premium CBD products from Colorado Botanicals for the ultimate CBD experience.
Are CBD Products Safe To Consume?
Yes, CBD products are perfectly safe for consumption. Though the FDA still hasn’t put CBD-based products under the dietary supplement definition, they get tested and passed through labs before being sold.
In fact, recently, the FDA approved a CBD medication for epilepsy known as Epidiolex. It’s the only FDA-approved medicine with CBD as of now, and studies have shown that it’s quite effective.
As of now, your regular CBD gummies or oils fall under the unregulated supplement category, but the FDA and FTC have strict guidelines for the marketing of CBD products.
A company cannot make false claims about any therapeutic benefits, and they cannot advertise it on television or broadcast radio. Plus, every brand is expected to have correct labels with accurate cannabinoid levels and <0.3% THC levels.
So as long as you buy CBD products from reputable brands like Colorado Botanicals with the latest lab test reports, you’ll be just fine. The best way is to take them orally in the form of edibles, oils, or soft gels.
In most adults, CBD is generally very well tolerated, and there are hardly any serious side effects. From max to max, some people may feel a bit fatigued, dehydrated, and nauseated, but it goes away very soon as your body gets used to the new substance. All you have to do is increase your water intake and try to take it with food if you feel nauseated.
Scientifically Proven Benefits Of CBD
Companies definitely go slightly further now and then to advertise their products, but you’ll be surprised to see how many claims are actually backed by science. Let’s dig in.
First, let’s start with anxiety, a condition that affects almost 300 million people globally. Studies have shown that regular CBD usage is quite effective against social anxiety disorders (fear of public speaking and group meetings), general anxiety disorders (sudden increase in heartbeat, too many negative thoughts), and even severe conditions like PTSD.
As per the 2022 report, people who have moderate to severe anxiety see a 60–70% reduction in their symptoms within a few weeks of consistent CBD dosing.
Next, we have sleep, which is quite essential for a human to function properly. Lack of proper sleep can lead to severe chronic conditions like high blood pressure, kidney disease, obesity, depression, and more.
As per some clinical trials and surveys, regular usage of CBD products is linked with improvements in insomnia levels among test subjects. CBD’s anxiolytic effects may help you put a stop to racy thoughts and restlessness before bed.
Another way CBD helps you is by reducing pain, and inflammation, and promoting recovery. Even the world anti-doping agency has removed CBD from the list of banned substances in sports.
Many elite athletes and sports doctors believe that CBD helps with faster recovery after strenuous drills or workouts. It’s anti-inflammatory and helps by providing relief from muscle soreness, and it also improves the blood flow to muscles, which results in increased performance and faster recovery speed.
Last but not least, some initial studies also show that CBD may be effective in treating severe neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders, and complex motor disorders.
Key Takeaways
Yes, CBD products work. Scientific studies and reports from regular users show that CBD is effective against issues related to sleep, anxiety, pain, recovery, and more. The very first FDA-approved CBD-based medicine, Epidiolex, has shown quite some positive results in severe cases of epilepsy treatment.
You can easily buy CBD products from various stores and trusted online brands like Colorado Botanicals for your day-to-day wellness. In the USA, most states have legalized the use of CBD, as long as products have less than 0.3% THC in them. Just make sure to read the label and lab test reports properly before putting the CBD oil in the checkout cart, and try to avoid shady and dodgy sites. It’s not a magic pill, though, so for maximum effects, try to incorporate CBD into your routine along with regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Just make sure to start your wellness journey by taking CBD in small doses initially and keeping your hydration levels good.