With a
new CBD store popping up on every street corner, it is safe to say that CBD, or
cannabidiol, is a hot topic in alternative medicine.
But is
CBD good for you? Let me fill you in on CBD and its potential benefits from a
dietary standpoint.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol
(CBD) is a cannabinoid, or chemical component, that comes from the Cannabis
Sativa plant. There are hundreds of cannabinoids within the plant, but
the two major ones right now are CBD and THC.
The
human brain makes versions of cannabinoids (called endocannabinoids) that bind
to certain receptors in the brain that deal with pain, emotion, stress, anxiety, the immune system, digestive tract
and organs amongst other systems.
External
sources of cannabinoids have a stronger effect on humans than our own
internally made cannabinoids. Hence, people feel a euphoric or happy effect
after using marijuana — a strain of cannabis that is high in THC. This is also
why researchers feel there could be a link between using different forms of
cannabis to treat various health conditions by capitalizing on these strong
effects.
Comparing the different forms of CBD
·
Hemp: CBD is commonly found in hemp products, meaning you have
probably eaten it before and had no idea it was a strain of Cannabis. Many
people eat hemp as a plant-based source of protein and healthy fats.
·
Pure CBD: CBD in its pure form is different from THC because it
does not give you the same “high” effect, which is why it is legal in all fifty
states to be consumed in tinctures, edibles, oils, pills and other various
forms.
·
Combination of CBD and THC: There are some strains of CBD that
have a split ratio of THC:CBD. You cannot buy or consume any CBD products that
contain more than 0.3 percent THC in Texas, along with 11 other states, since
marijuana in any form is illegal in these places.
Is CBD safe?
So far,
research suggests CBD is safe to consume in the short term. There have been
studies that show digestive issues, drug interactions and abnormal liver
function tests are common side effects with CBD.
Researchers
are not sure about the long-term effects of Cannabis or CBD. Talk with your
doctor before starting any new medications or supplements.
What the science says about CBD
Many
CBD dispensaries boast about all the healthy benefits of CBD, but which are
currently research backed?
Since
the U.S. has strict laws against studying cannabis due to it being classified
as a Schedule 1 Drug — with others like heroin, LSD and ecstasy — there has not
been a lot of research in this field yet. It is also extremely hard to grow
research grade cannabis, making it hard to confirm any of the health claims out
there about CBD.
There
have been studies that show digestive issues, drug interactions and abnormal
liver function tests are common side effects with CBD.
Keep
this in mind when looking into whether CBD will fit into your medical or nutritional
treatment plan.
Naturally,
CBD contains a plethora of brain-boosting antioxidants and helpful
anti-inflammatory properties. These goodies make CBD more likely to support
brain health and reduce pain and inflammation in
inflammatory conditions.
Because
of these properties, current research shows that CBD has potential to help
people with depression, anxiety, pain relief and epilepsy (specifically,
Dravet and Lennox Gastaut Syndromes). However, more research needs to be done
in human clinical trials to know for certain.
CBD in
combination with THC and other cannabinoids might be useful in treatment
for appetite stimulation, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy,
inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, intentional
weight gain and cystic fibrosis. In conditions like Chron’s disease and
ulcerative colitis, there have been promising results showing decreases in inflammation during flair
ups, but more research needs to be done in this area before drawing any
conclusions.
Curious about CBD?
Bottom
line: current research is mixed and in many cases, it’s still too early to tell
whether CBD is helpful in treating or managing these health conditions. As with
anything, talk with your doctor before exploring the potential health benefits
of CBD.
Just
keep in mind that certain strains and ratios are helpful for certain conditions
and may not work for everything — it is not a one size fits all drug.
If you do choose to consume CBD, you’ll also want to make sure you are getting
the best quality possible. Since CBD isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug
Administration, figuring out where the product is grown, whether pesticides are
used, how it is extracted and proper dosing information is crucial.
Find a doctor or nutrition expert to
partner with you toward wellness.
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