We often hear about CBD and CBD products such as oils, sprays, patches, bath bombs, full spectrum or not, pure CBD or not, safe or not, and so much more questions, stereotypes, and worries about it. Celebrities, vloggers, down to the most health-conscious influencers, CBD products are all the market’s rage because of its health benefits. It can be observed that many are skeptical about these products because people do not have enough, or even any, knowledge about CBD. All people know is that it comes from hemp or marijuana plants, and by that, they already perceive it to be risky and illegal. However, even with a little bit of reading or asking credible people if you know one, you’ll surely reconsider as you’ll know it’s not the same as what people consume to get high. CBD has even been the turning point and game-changer in the legalization movement in some countries.
Now let’s get started!
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is 100% non-psychoactive.
This means you cannot get high from using CBD products, unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive ingredient found mainly in marijuana plants and is often confused with CBD.
CBD is a naturally occurring compound or plant extract in the Cannabis Sativa plant or simply hemp and marijuana plants, both from the cannabis family, Cannabaceae.
It is believed to provide health benefits because of its important role in regulating the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a system in your body that uses cannabinoids called anandamide.
Our bodies produce anandamide.
CBD is high in its “bioavailability.”
Bioavailability is the ability to enter the body efficiently and effectively.
This means that even in small doses, CBD remains effective.
CBD’s History
Cannabis is known to be one of the earliest agricultural crops as it is recorded that the first cannabis use dates back to 10,000 years.
Records show that the cannabis plant was mainly grown and used for food and textiles in different cultures and places worldwide.
Also, the hemp plant was very useful in the olden days.
They use the hemp plant’s fibers for fabrics and ropes, its seeds for nutrition, and its flowers and resins for medicinal purposes.
For years, the Cannabis plant was a well-respected and traditionally used medicine among the greatest civilizations in history.
One discovered record was the Chinese emperor Shen-Nung topically using hemp oil.
Marijuana plants, when grown, tend to be full of resinous aromatic flowers, bulky and short.
On the other hand, hemp plants are fluffy, tall, and thin.
As you can see, the CBD culture thrived throughout those thousand and thousands of years.
Yet, in 1930, it became a different time when countries started prohibiting the use of marijuana one by one, thus affecting the use of CBD as well, even though it is psychoactive.
The lack of research on this can be pointed out as one of the causes of why CBD was also prohibited.
Today, the CBD market is back on track as it has been estimated to hit $2.1 billion this 2020, and the contribution of the hemp industry alone is at $450 million.
This can be linked to having more and more people learn about its health benefits or what it can do for us.
Health benefits of CBD
The study for CBD products, hemp, and marijuana plants is still early in its development, even if it has been around for thousands and thousands of years.
The most commonly known health benefits of CBD include the following:
Chronic Pain Treatment
Unlike other pain treatments, CBD is not addictive and is logically safer than traditionally prescribed pain drugs or treatments.
Moreover, it is impossible to be overdose using CBD oil.
More so, humans and animals have a high tolerance for cannabidiol.
Additionally, clinical researches support the claim that CBD can reduce inflammation.
CBD oils have been becoming a trend in gym people as they are now used after training or workout sessions to relax, loosen up, and warm your muscles.
This makes your experience after intense training or workout sessions less painful.
Relaxation and Stress Reduction
More than CBD being amazingly beneficial in the chronic pain treatment area, CBD is most famous for its anti-anxiety benefits.
Its anti-anxiety effects are the most supported aspect of cannabidiol by researchers.
Some people take CBD to calm themselves before important big events, meetings, public speaking, etc.
CBD is getting more and more popular in its use because of the anti-anxiety effects it can offer.
How to take CBD oil
CBD oil can come as drops, sprays, ointments, patches, and bath bombs.
For CBD oil in dropper bottles
The most commonly advised way of taking CBD oil drops is putting drops of oil under your tongue and keeping it for 30 up to 60 seconds, although 2 to 5 minutes is preferable.
Research shows that the bioavailability of CBD is only 5% when swallowed.
Only a fraction is transmitted to different parts of your body when swallowed, while differently, CBD is quickly broken down by digestive enzymes when kept under the tongue.
How many drops and milligrams you should take depends on many factors.
It is best to ask your doctor about this, as even body weight and body chemistry are factors that affect how much CBD you should take.
If not, you can start by taking smaller doses of CBD and increase steadily over time until it effectively addresses your symptoms.
One drop typically has 5mg of CBD. You will need four drops if you want to consume 20mg of CBD.
For CBD as ointments, sprays, patches, and bath bombs
How you can use these are pretty straightforward.
For ointments, sprays, and patches, you can apply them to the area where your muscles are tight, swollen, and in pain.
For bath bombs, use it on your next bath in the tub and soak it in for a whole-body relaxation experience.