As we grow older, suffering from inflammation and pain becomes more likely. Even while we are younger, we might have to deal with pain-inducing conditions or inflammatory diseases that could, to a certain extent, affect our performance in life and influence both our physical and mental health.
The saddest thing about these conditions is that they cannot be fully treated most of the time, so they might be conditions that will accompany us for the longest time. Still, we can manage their symptoms thanks to medication, such as anti-inflammatories or painkillers.
With that said, the biggest problem people have with medication is that, when used long-term, it can cause a lot of nasty side effects, from liver damage to addiction and depression.
That is why people started to look for alternative methods of treatment to deal with their health problems, and among the options available in the market right now, CBD-based medication has become one of the most popular choices, and these pills, for example, are capable of providing all the benefits of CBD.
But what is CBD and how does it work? What does it do? Is it actually safe? These are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding CBD as a compound. In this article we will try to solve all the doubts newcomers tend to have when it comes to CBD, and let them decide whether trying it out is worth it or not.
Understanding the Core Concept of CBD
First of all, understanding CBD is fairly important. The word comes from a compound found in the cannabis plant known as cannabidiol, a cannabinoid that, along with many other cannabinoids, is present inside of the cannabis’ plant chemical structure,
Although there are indeed multiple cannabinoids inside the cannabis plant, two stand out from the others: cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol commonly referred to as THC.
Now, these two compounds are pretty much the ones in charge of providing the benefits of medicinal cannabis. However, it is known that most medicinal cannabis derivations are capable of getting people high, and this is because of their regularly high levels of THC. This specific cannabinoid is known for being psychotropic and the higher the concentration is, the stronger the effect.
However, something that is essential to note is that most cannabidiol-based products are non-psychotropic, and the reason is simple: they contain really low levels of THC. You see, the cannabis plant has different categories: Indica, Sativa, and Hybrids. Indica, specifically speaking, has higher levels of CBD, but there’s a specific type of Indica that contains only 0.3% of THC… The hemp plant.
All cannabidiol-based products are created using the hemp plant, thus, they contain only 0.3% of THC, making it harmless to the system, and more reliable forms of medication.
Why Is It so Popular, Though?
The reasoning is simple… Cannabidiol medication is capable of providing a wide range of health benefits, but it is mostly used to deal with pain-inducing conditions and inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis or joint-based complications.
However, cannabidiol is also used for dealing with sleeping disorders such as insomnia, and anxiety or panic attacks related to stress. This is mainly because of its relaxing effects.
The biggest advantage of cannabidiol medication, however, is its accessibility. Since it can be accessed pretty easily and is legal in most places around the United States, getting your hands on CBD-based medication is fairly simple.
In comparison to more traditional forms of medication, there’s also the fact that it provides pretty harmless side effects. First of all, it doesn’t cause liver damage, and the side effects are mainly related to vomit, diarrhea, and nausea.
That being said, these side effects can be easily managed by reducing the intake of the substance, since they are often results of consuming more than the body can handle. The complicated aspect of consuming cannabidiol is that finding the right dosage can be a little difficult since the compound reacts differently between each individual.
Thankfully, a lot of stores provide a chart that showcased valuable information about the factors you have to keep in mind when consuming it, and how to regulate its intake during the first month of the experience. Capsules are considerably easy to deal with, so they are the usually recommended products for beginners.
How Does It Work, Though? Is it Safe?
There’s a lot to know about cannabidiol as a medical compound, and although research is still undergoing, we can all agree to say that it is still in its early stages. However, some research has showcased its potential at reducing Epileptic seizures and it is being researched as a possible treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
Overall, cannabidiol is considered a safe alternative as long as it is not consumed along with incompatible medication, so if you are thinking about consuming it, make sure to do some research and consult it with your medic if you can.
The benefits this specific compound can provide are thanks to the endocannabinoid system, as shown at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system is a compound of neurotransmitters located in several areas of our body.
Just like CBD, there’s a lot to understand about these neurotransmitters, but something is clear: they can influence various physiological functions of the body. Some of these functions include the way our bodies react to injuries and damages through inflammation, and how pain is perceived, as well as cortisol levels, commonly referred to as the stress hormone.
