The cannabis plant has been used for centuries to successfully provide pain relief, address sleep issues, reduce anxiety, and aid skin conditions like eczema, even sunburn. With such an extensive history, what’s all the recent controversy over its use? And why are some of us, who’ve been dialed into healthy living practices for decades, just learning how to incorporate CBD Wellness Products into our daily wellness regimens?
A legal haze
Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level, but they are still illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level but are legal under some state laws. Clear as mud? As the legal use of hemp and other cannabis products grows, consumers are becoming more curious about their options. According to a recent Gallup poll, 64% of Americans are familiar with CBD and/or CBD products and 33% of American adults have used CBD once or more.[1] The word is out on CBD, even if we’re still trying to define it.
What exactly is CBD?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and causes the sensation of getting “high” that’s often associated with marijuana. However, unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive.[2] Because of its sticky texture, most CBD is mixed with a carrier oil such as hemp seed or coconut oil. One of the most common forms of CBD oil products are oral drops, meant to be ingested by the user for relief from various stress issues and other ailments. I use Zuna Brands’ Soothing Relief Oil Drops at night, especially during the work week. I love the earthy smell of the basil flower and turmeric essential oils, along with the calming effects of the tincture.
And because it contains less than the legal limit of THC, it’s also easy to order online directly from Zuna Brands. For spot-specific pain management, I drive 90 minutes to a Sacramento dispensary for my favorite transdermal compound, a 1:1 product by Mary’s Medicinals. The 50-50 THC/CBD formulation allows for much deeper penetration than traditional CBD topicals, but because the compound is derived from marijuana (not hemp), it’s only legal under some state laws, California being one of those states. And only from a medical marijuana dispensary, not online.
Can I take CBD every day?
Not only can you, but for the best effects, in most cases you actually should take CBD on a daily basis,” says Alex Capano, chief science officer for Ananda Hemp, a Kentucky-based health and wellness brand specializing in CBD products. “You can’t overdose on CBD, and it’s lipophilic (or fat soluble), which means it compounds in your body over time, adding to potential health benefits.”[3]
8 benefits of using CBD daily
- Less Pain: The human body naturally produces its own cannabinoids through a network called the endocannabinoid system. Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters.[4]
- Better Sleep: Many people use CBD for insomnia and other sleep disorders. According to Mayo Clinic, insomnia can be caused by a number of things, including physical pain and anxiety. Since CBD shows promise in treating pain and stress, it makes sense that it might help people sleep better.
- Clearer Skin: CBD is deeply hydrating and rich in antioxidants, which makes it the ideal “foundation” for topical applications. A variety of scrubs, masks, and moisturizing serums can make your skin look and feel better, while also strengthening the overall wellness of your skin.
- Mood Health: When taken orally, CBD shows much promise promoting overall well-being, providing relief and supporting mood health. CBD works in harmony with the body and it promotes balance and optimal wellness.
- Healthy Heart: Recent research has linked CBD with several benefits for the heart and circulatory system, including the ability to lower high blood pressure. High blood pressure is linked to higher risks of a number of health conditions, including stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome.[5]
- Substance Abuse Treatment: CBD has received a lot of attention due to its potential to treat drug and alcohol abuse. It is thought CBD is effective in targeting risk states of drug use relapse by reducing anxiety and stress related to drug cues and mediating antidepressant activity.[1]
- Epilepsy: The use of cannabis to treat epilepsy and other neurological conditions has been studied for a number of years. On June 25, 2018, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex (cannabidiol, CBD) oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two epilepsy syndromes in people two years of age or older. It brings to market the first plant-based drug derived from the cannabis plant in the U.S.[2]
- Asthma: CBD oil has shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in clinical settings, which may be promising in the future of asthma treatment. Dr. Jennifer Taylor, a practicing naturopathic doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, credits CBD with putting her on the path to recovery after being chronically sick. “After switching to homeopathic treatments for asthma I was able to regain my physical strength and resolve most of my allergy symptoms.” Because of the success she had, Dr. Taylor decided to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine.
Finding a CBD product that works for you is getting easier as positive scientific findings, and fewer legal hurdles, make way for more consumers of CBD Wellness Products. That said, it’s always wise to speak with your physician before you begin any new supplement regimen. It’s also important to choose the right CBD maker when shopping for quality products. Many CBD brands claim to use good manufacturing practices (GMP); and it’s the law. But few can prove it. Add the following prompts to your checklist when shopping for CBD products.
- Made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab?
- Produces Certificates of Analysis for each products’ lot number
- Farmed sustainably with U.S.-grown hemp?
- Contains no more than 0.3 percent THC, according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
Elizabeth Roper is an education consultant and lifelong learner. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Chico, California.
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[1] Mihaela Dimitrova, B.Sc., “Can CBD be used to treat drug addiction?” News Medical Life Sciences, August 22, 2019, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Can-CBD-be-Used-to-Treat-Drug-Addiction.aspx
[2] Epilepsy Foundation Team, “Medical marijuana and Epilepsy,” Epilepsy Foundation website, accessed April 11, 2021, https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/other-treatment-approaches/medical-marijuana-and-epilepsy
[1] SingleCare Team, “CBD statistics 2021,” The CheckUp by SingleCare, updated January 21, 2021, https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/cbd-statistics/
[2] Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, “7 Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil (Plus Side Effects), Healthline, February 26, 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
[3] Laurel Leicht, “An Expert Answers All Your Questions About CBD,” Marie Claire, April 11, 2019, accessed February 26, 2021, https://www.marieclaire.com/health-fitness/a26933414/cbd-everything-you-need-to-know/#daily
[4] Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, “7 Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil (Plus Side Effects), Healthline, February 26, 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
[5] Ibid.
[6] Mihaela Dimitrova, B.Sc., “Can CBD be used to treat drug addiction?” News Medical Life Sciences, August 22, 2019, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Can-CBD-be-Used-to-Treat-Drug-Addiction.aspx
[7] Epilepsy Foundation Team, “Medical marijuana and Epilepsy,” Epilepsy Foundation website, accessed April 11, 2021, https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/other-treatment-approaches/medical-marijuana-and-epilepsy
