With the growing popularity of herbal or otherwise alternative remedies, many people start to look the other way when choosing a treatment for a medical condition, both physical and mental. While some remedies might have a placebo effect, other ones actually have a strong evidence base backed up by scientific research.
Among these alternative health supplements, CBD products are becoming more and more accepted as a potent remedy for a number of conditions. A wealth of marketing material, articles, and anecdotal evidence claim that products infused with CBD oil can help to treat whatever ails you, even cancer. While it isn’t particularly true, the intake of CBD can still benefit users in various ways. So, what are the benefits of CBD oil, and is it safe?
Why Is CBD So Popular?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural substance delivered from Cannabis Sativa plants. CBD possesses medicinal properties such as anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and antiemetic, so it can be used to treat a wide range of disorders. Four major diseases that can be treated with CBD include schizophrenia and other psychoses, epileptic disorders, anxiety, and depression.
Other disorders that may respond well to CBD treatment are cancer, osteoporosis, lupus, diabetes, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), chronic and neuropathic pain, and Parkinson’s disease. Science has yet to explore deeply into the use of marijuana (CBD specifically) for the treatment of these disorders due to the plant’s illegality. But as laws change, without a doubt, more and more studies will show what early reports conclude: CBD oil is a valuable compound.
Is CBD Oil Safe?
Although the scientific community hasn’t yet stated categorically that CBD is 100% safe, many studies have suggested just that. CBD has been proven to have no effect on food intake, body temperature, heart rate, or blood pressure. On the other hand, it has been shown to impact the salivary glands, which results in dry mouth.
In addition, CBD suppresses liver enzymes that are responsible for metabolising most of the drugs humans intake. If you decide to buy CBD oil and incorporate its use in your daily routine, be sure to discuss with your doctor possible interactions, especially if you are currently taking any supplements and medications.
Whether or not dry mouth and the ability to metabolise medication can be considered side effects depends on the person that experiences them. Dry mouth might be a small price to pay for pain relief or reduction of psychosis. And if CBD does better at preventing your nausea than your medication, it might be worth stopping the medication altogether. However, it’s advised to discuss the possibilities with your doctor before discontinuing any medication.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Taking CBD Oil?
While CBD is generally a well-tolerated compound and considered safe, it might cause adverse reactions in some people. The most common CBD oil side effects include nausea, fatigue, and irritability, diarrhoea, and changes in appetite and weight. CBD is also known to interfere with numerous medications. Before starting using CBD oil, it is essential to discuss the matter with a doctor to ensure the body is capable of safely using CBD and avoid potentially harmful interactions. One study conducted on mice showed that cannabis extracts rich in CBD have the potential to cause liver toxicity. However, some of the mice in the study were force-fed extremely large doses of the extract.
CBD can increase the levels of the blood thinner coumadin in the bloodstream and raise levels of certain other medications in your blood in the exact same way as grapefruit juice does. A crucial safety concern with CBD is that it is primarily marketed and sold as a supplement, not a medication. Today, the FDA does not regulate the safety and purity of dietary supplements. So, you cannot know for sure that the product you purchase has active ingredients at the dosage listed on the label. Also, the product can include other (unknown) components, making it essential to choose the best CBD oil only from proven and reliable CBD brands.