As a nurse, I am grateful for the benefits of modern medicine, and the breakthroughs that have helped people overcome illness and injury. The medical model plays an essential role in the health, healing, and vitality we all have access to, thanks to skilled physicians. But, I also believe in embracing centuries-old practices and methodologies that fall outside the typical medical field.

Note: This post is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

What is CBD Oil?

Products that contain CBD are often misunderstood thanks to their relationship to other properties found in marijuana. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of many properties found in the cannabis plant. When most people think about cannabis, they think about marijuana, which is also a cannabis plant but has high THC or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentrations. That’s the psychoactive stuff that gets people high when they ingest or smoke it.

Most CBD comes from the hemp plant, which is required to contain less than 0.03% THC. Essentially, the hemp plant is a cousin to the marijuana plant though the two often are confused as the same. Over time, marijuana growers have modified cannabis plants to increase the degree and potency of THC, but hemp plants have not been modified and contain minimal THC.

CBD has no mind-altering effects, but it can do wonders for a variety of illnesses and ailments without many of the side effects of pharmaceutical medications. CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant and, from there, can be used in a variety of ways to give relief.

Our Bodies are Designed to Work With CDB

The human body has a system called the endocannabinoid system. This system helps regulate many functions within the body, including our sleep cycle, appetite, and boosts our immunity. Our bodies produce endocannabinoids which are neurotransmitters and two receptors, CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, especially the brain. They coordinate movement, pain, emotion, mood, thinking, appetite, memories, and more.

CB2 receptors are in the immune system and help with inflammation and pain.  

Marijuana has been used to help regulate pain since sometime around 2900 B.C. Both THC and CBD played a role in the relief. While THC attaches itself to the receptors and helps provide relief, CBD stimulates receptors, so the body produces its own cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids. Our bodies are designed to work with CBD to produce neurotransmitters that help the body in a variety of ways.

The Benefits of CBD Oil

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound in the hemp plant that has been found to help curb pain and inflammation, plus reduce or eliminate some symptoms of major illnesses. Studies done on humans and animals have shown significant health benefits of CBD Oil, such as:

• Chronic pain
• Inflammation
• High blood pressure
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Addiction
• Type 1 diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Acne

• CBD reduces pain- CBD is able to impact the cannabinoid receptor activity, which reduces pain and inflammation. This has been especially helpful for people with issues like arthritis or patients going through cancer treatments who need pain management.

• CBD improves mental health– CDB is helpful for people with mental health issues like anxiety and depression. One of the biggest benefits being the lack of side effects that many pharmaceutical medications have. While some medications can cause lethargy, constipation, sexual dysfunction, and more, CBD works without these unwanted effects. CBD can act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin which helps regulate and improve mood.  

• CBD enhances sleep- CBD is found to have a variety of benefits for sleep. From reducing the anxiety that can lead to insomnia or quieting the mind by aiding in the production of serotonin, CBD seems to make a difference. CBD can help with falling and staying asleep as well as reduce the occurrence of nightmares in some people.  

• CBD prevents addiction- CBD can help reduce or curb nicotine and drug addiction cravings making it easier to stop smoking and doing harmful drugs.

• CBD fights diseases- While CBD alone can’t cure disease, studies and practical experience indicate CBD can significantly impact the quality of life for people with diseases like juvenile epilepsy. There are significant accounts of the reduction and sometimes elimination of seizure activity in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, which are resistant to current anti-seizure medications. Additionally, CBD doesn’t have the sedative aspect that pharmaceutical medications have, further improving quality of life.

• CBD decreases skin issues- Since many skin ailments are caused by inflammation, CBD has been found to reduce acne, psoriasis, and other skin problems. There is an increase in using CBD in topical skin creams that help fight acne.   

Is CBD Oil Safe?

CBD is marketed as a supplement, not a medication. What that means for you and me is the FDA does not regulate the safety and purity of CBD. This means there is no formalized way to ensure the ingredients in a CBD product. If you are interested in trying CBD oil for yourself, you’ll want to do your research on the company you choose to purchase from to ensure you are getting clean, safe products.

The best way to be safe is to consult with your physician about the use of CBD to ensure there are no interactions with medication you may be taking. While your physician can’t prescribe CBD for you, it is valuable to get their take on your unique situation’s benefits and possible disadvantages. They will likely have solid advice or resources for you to use.

When choosing an oil, do your research and make sure the products you choose cover these bases:

• Broad-spectrum oil—meaning it comes from hemp plants and contains less than 0.3% THC.
• Produced from U.S.- grown hemp—to ensure the products are free of pesticides and heavy metals.
• Are third-party tested—since CBD oil isn’t regulated, it’s imperative that you can see the lab results done by an independent party to confirm purity and potency.
• Clearly indicate their method for consumption—make sure you know exactly how you will use the CBD oil-infused product.

Is CBD Oil Legal?  

Under the federal Farm Bill, hemp plants with less than 0.03% THC can be legally grown and harvested for their various properties, including CBD oil. All fifty states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction. The legalization of cannabis is in a state of fluctuation as advocacy and awareness shifts. Laws are often changing with each voting cycle.

How Can I Use CBD Oil?

There are a variety of ways to use CBD oil and hemp-related products.  Some of the options include:

• Mixing into foods and drinks
• Using creams or salves on skin
• Taking sublingually with a dropper
• Vaping
• Eating gummies

Your preferred method may have something to do with your condition. Pain can be managed by taking CBD oil orally or providing relief through topical means like creams. CBD oil can also be diluted with a carrier oil like hemp oil or coconut oil. In the end, CBD oil may be an effective option for pain management if you are suffering. Consulting with your physician is an important next step to see if adding CBD oil to your routine can help. We personally take Ojai Energetics CBD oil and love it! I have noticed a definite improvement in mood, a reduction in an anxious mood, and deeper sleep. If you want to check it out, you can learn more HERE.

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