CBD, or cannabidiol, is an ingredient that has exploded over the last couple of years. Companies sell CBD in dog treats, topical creams and drops. If you’ve been interested in CBD but aren’t sure where to start, read on for four things you need to take into consideration before you jump onto the CBD craze.
Is CBD Legal?
While many people will tell you that CBD is legal in all 50 states, the truth is somewhat more complicated. While CBD is non-psychoactive and the hemp plants from which most CBD is derived are not either, hemp has long had a tenuous legal standing because it was easily confused with the plants from which THC is derived. CBD from hemp is legal to possess in most states, but it’s important to make sure you’re getting the latest CBD info about your state to understand what is and isn’t allowed.
Remember that whether CBD in your state is fully legal or falls in a grey area, CBD simply does not cause any sort of “high” associated with the THC of the marijuana plant. It is one of over a hundred cannabinoids from cannabis plants that interact with the endocannabinoid system, ECS, of humans, and all vertebrates, in different ways. Here are some of the ways scientists think CBD interacts with the ECS.
What Does CBD Do?
While people have used marijuana and hemp for centuries, for everything from making paper and fabric to their more well-known and possible frowned-upon uses, it wasn’t until the 1990s that scientists discovered the ECS. As you can imagine that means that research is still ongoing and new discoveries are made every year. So far it appears that CBD attaches to receptors in the ECS, part of the central and peripheral nervous system. The way it attaches can affect a person’s pain perception, provide calming effects, and show a visible reduction in inflammation. One of the most interesting studies is in using CBD to treat seizures that don’t respond to current antiseizure therapies.
Anecdotal evidence and small studies on both humans and animals support these findings. Meaning, CBD can calm anxiety, reduce pain response and reduce both chronic and acute inflammation. How much CBD do you need though to achieve positive results?
How Much CBD Is the Correct Amount?
Because CBD is currently unregulated by the FDA or other agencies, determining how much CBD is in a product can be confusing. The standard is to list the amount of CBD in an entire package or container of product. It’s then up to you to determine the servings or uses in a container and divide the two to determine how much you will get per serving. Studies have researched dosages as low as 20 milligrams per day to as high as 1,500 mg. Your body weight and other factors can all impact the best dosage, but remember that CBD has a cumulative effect. It’s better to start at a relatively low dosage and continue taking it for at least a week before moving on to a higher dosage. With pain, anxiety or sleeplessness it can be difficult to wait for results when the problem can be so acute, but waiting and adjusting slowly means you won’t overmedicate yourself and if CBD works for you, you may be able to eliminate faster-acting medications that come with a slew of side-effects including dependence, of which CBD is free.
Should I Talk to My Doctor?
Even though CBD is not yet regulated, it is still a supplement. Like all supplements, you should speak with your physician before starting something new. Your doctor can help you determine a good starting dose along with the best delivery method. CBD is available in many oral forms and transdermally. CBD can bind to some of the same receptors as grapefruit juice, meaning it can interact with some medications, so reviewing your current medication list is vital. Also, you should never stop taking your current medication or suddenly replace it with CBD without talking to your doctor.
Because it is new and unregulated, CBD products can draw in unscrupulous salespeople. Do your research and you’ll be able to find reputable providers selling safe and reliable CBD.