Over the past few years, CBD has become the new “it” girl in wellness circles, and for good reason. There are a lot of wellness benefits of CBD oil, yet there is still plenty to understand. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be enjoyed in the meantime. In fact, as I write this I’m actually sipping on a homemade CBD latte.
What is CBD?
Many people are still confused about CBD. The acronym stands for cannabidiol, which is a non-psychoactive agent in hemp and marijuana plants. While some folks argue that the terms “hemp” and “marijuana” are misnomers (you can read more on that and the racist implications here) what we do know is that both varieties are derived from the cannabis plant.
Due to increased interest in CBD, it was included in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed CBD to be cultivated but only if derived from a hemp plant. Marijuana still remains on the controlled substances list, mostly due to political and moral challenges. Hemp has been widely used for textiles and a host of other uses throughout history.
It should be noted the differences between hemp and marijuana are largely due to their chemical makeup. Hemp has no greater than .3% of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the substance responsible for the “high” and euphoria of marijuana). By contrast, marijuana can contain up to 30% THC. That’s a HUGE difference.
Now, states are contending with where to draw their own lines with respect to cannabis and the lines between CBD, THC and recreational use. You can learn more about state laws here.
What are the wellness benefits?
CBD has become so popular due to it’s wide-range of potential uses for health and wellness. Marijuana (and THC specifically) has been found to be helpful for cancer and AIDS/HIV patients for some time. CBD has become a more mainstream alternative to respond to a host of concerns, especially as it doesn’t lead to the typical marijuana “high.”
I first came across the use of it for sleep as it has had some encouraging results in reducing restlessness and insomnia. I have definitely found a benefit even with as little as 10 mg (via tincture) before bedtime.
CBD has been found to help:
- Helps lower or manage anxiety
- Decrease panic
- Get better sleep and/or address insomnia
- Stress reduction
- Pain relief
There is still a lot to be learned about it and the clinical research has yet to catch up with its widespread use.
Concerns about CBD Use
CBD can be a functional supplement to any wellness routine but doesn’t yet have the dearth of research to prove it as an effective treatment in and of itself. Please always consult with a licensed doctor if you plan to make any changes to your wellness routine. Often, CBD is a helpful adjunct treatment to a host of other lifestyle and behavioral changes to be made.
As it is a new supplement in the market, you should also be concerned about the purity and chemical makeup of whatever product you use so doing your research is very important. You should consider your personal medical history and your goals, as well as dosing to use CBD oil properly.
Author: Jor-El
Jor-El is Co-founder of Viva Wellness and a foodie and film buff. He most often writes about mental health, relationships, food and mindfulness. When he’s not busy working, he typically can be found lounging or walking around NYC with his pup Nomi.
