By: Diana Fleeter, MS Candidate
Have you been hearing all of the CBD “craze” and wondering what it’s all about? With CBD lattes, cookies, and tinctures filling up every shop, it’s time to clarify what it is, what it is used for and the various types that you can purchase.
- What is CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of over 113 cannabinoids that are identified in the cannabis plant.
- How does CBD work? Did you know our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids? That’s right! Which means that your body is already equipped with an Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is responsible for modulating our body’s immune system, inflammation, pain, and things that affect our daily life, like sleep and appetite and mood. CBD activates the CB1 and CB2 receptors on every cell of the body to bring nutrition to the Endocannabinoid System.
- Benefits of CBD:
- Relieves anxiety and restlessness
- Maintains healthy blood sugar regulation
- Supports optimal cardiovascular function
- Supports cartilage and joint function
- Helps maintain healthy skin
- Supports optimal immune function
- Promotes healthy respiratory and lung function
- Supports healthy energy levels
- Promotes better sleep
- Supports optimal digestive function
- Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
- Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals
- Promotes optimal cellular health and function
- Helps to maintain a stable mood
- Helps to maintain normal heart function
Conditions that can be addressed with CBD
- Chronic Pain: CBD can help manage systemic pain, rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, muscle spasms, and joint pain.
- Insomnia: CBD does not alter the normal sleep-wake cycle, on the contrary, it helps to fall asleep and normalize your circadian clock.
- Anxiety and Depression: CBD acts as a calming agent. Works as an anti-depressant and helps with PTSD.
Optimal Dosage and Onset
- Vaporizers: Fastest-acting
- Capsules: Slower, precise (one-hour onset)
- Tinctures / Oil: Absorbed quickly and systemically (as little as 15 minutes onset)
Have you tried it in a cookie or a latte? Remember that not all CBD products are created equal. There are low-quality and high-quality products out there. If you’re wondering whether you’ve been taking a high- or low-quality CBD oil, ensure you check the following:
- Has it been tested by a third party lab?
- Does the product contain less than 0.3% THC?
- What are the ingredients and how was it extracted?
- Where was the hemp sourced from?
- What is the amount of CBD in each dosage?
Can CBD Oil Get Me High?
Hemp and marijuana are from the same family, but they are two different plants. CBD can be derived from the hemp and marijuana plant, however, the CBD that is currently legal and used in many supplements is derived from hemp. In New York State, CBD or hemp oil products sold must contain 0.3% or less of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active compound in marijuana that is notorious for getting individuals high. Hemp has extremely low levels of THC (though not enough to have a euphoric effect) and high levels of CBD.
Is CBD Oil Right For Me?
Studies show that CBD oil is most often used for pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. If these apply to you, we’d recommend giving CBD a shot, but if you’re unsure, come see us in the Clinical Nutrition Department by filling out the form below or call us now.