Cannabis Sativa is one of the most discussed issues in the world. Proponents claim that cannabis products, such as CBD oil, are medically beneficial and should be legal for health purposes. Yet, some say that cannabis in any form should not be allowed.
The science behind CBD oil suggests that it can help in some medical conditions, but you should check with your doctor first. We’ll attempt to answer some of your questions about the topic below.
How to Select the Right CBD Oil
CBD oil contains cannabidiol and, generally, does not have THC content, which makes it non-psychoactive. It also plays a vital role in maintaining health and wellness. Many countries have laws regarding the percentage of THC allowed in products.
An isolate has pure CBD, so it won’t have any THC, while a full-spectrum CBD oil will contain it.
You can get the right CBD oil for yourself by following these tips.
1. Check Potency
CBD oil’s potency is measured in milligrams. Generally, CBD oil with a potency of 50 mg of cannabidiol per 1 ml of the oil is considered strong.
High-potency CBD oil will require you to use less CBD oil dosage for the same effect. They are also generally cheaper as you use less oil every time. However, it is difficult to adjust the dosage, and a slight difference in ingested can significantly change the effects. Higher doses can cause you to experience side effects like lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, and diarrhea. So if you are a first-time user, you should be careful and use a lower dose.
If you’re a new user, start with the lowest dose and slowly increase it if needed. This way, your body will slowly adjust to CBD oil. Make sure you also avoid full-spectrum CBD oil and only use the isolate. The full-spectrum oil contains chemicals other than CBD, which makes it more potent.
Don’t take CBD oil if you are taking any medications. Check with your doctor before using any. CBD oil can interfere with your medicine, making it unsafe for you.
2. Check Ingredients and THC Content
CBD oil is extracted from hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% of THC. Their extract contains cannabidiol and several other compounds found in a full-spectrum CBD oil, like terpenes and flavonoids, which are compounds that are responsible for the smell. There can also be some THC content, but it will be less than 0.3%. Sometimes this content is enough to give a positive drug test for marijuana.
However, CBD oil made from CBD isolate has only cannabidiol.
CBD Oil Extraction Methods
Let’s consider a few extraction methods and their pros and cons.
CO2 Extraction
Carbon dioxide is a common medium to use in CBD extraction. In this method, we use a closed-loop extractor, which we also use for extracting essential oils from plants. We place the hemp plant in a special chamber filled with carbon dioxide.
When we apply pressure to that chamber, the carbon dioxide becomes liquid and absorbs the hemp compounds. We pump this liquid out, where the carbon dioxide turns back into the gas, and we are left with hemp extract.
Because we don’t need to heat our sample, our product has no degraded compounds, only high-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil. This method is safe and environment-friendly, too, as we use no harmful chemicals.
However, this process has some drawbacks. It is expensive, complex, time-consuming, and requires specialized equipment and trained professionals. Generating the pressure to turn carbon dioxide into liquid requires lots of energy.
Alcohol Extraction
The alcohol extraction method is a simpler method to produce CBD oil. Alcohol can dissolve cannabinoids, so it is an excellent extraction solvent. You can use ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, or grain alcohol to extract CBD oil.
The process is simple: we soak hemp leaves in 95-100% alcohol. Alcohol dissolves the compounds, and we get a mixture of alcohol with CBD and other required ingredients. We then heat this mixture to evaporate the alcohol and get CBD oil, called Full Extract CBD Oil (FECO).
Alcohol extraction is easy and does not require much complex equipment. It is also cheaper, readily available, and handled with ease.
However, it has some disadvantages too. Alcohol extraction can also extract unwanted compounds like chlorophyll, making lower-quality products. Alcohol can also catch fire easily, and so is a safety risk.
The Role of CBD Oil in Treating Chronic Pain
The effects of CBD oil include reducing pain. This pain relief effect is helpful for arthritis and epilepsy. Cancer patients also use it to reduce their pain. Here is how CBD oil can reduce pain:
The Endocannabinoid System
Compounds found in hemp – cannabinoids – enter our body and interact with particular proteins in the brain known as endocannabinoid receptors. All the endocannabinoid receptors in our body make up the endocannabinoid system.
At first, scientists thought only the compounds in hemp could bind these receptors. But they soon discovered that the body also produces some chemicals interacting with these receptors.
When different compounds bind with them, they transmit specific nerve signals. These signals relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and help with depression and anxiety.
Reducing Inflammation
When a bacteria or virus enters the body, your protective or immune cells go to its location and kill it, causing inflammation.
However, sometimes these immune cells attack your normal body cells too. One example of this is arthritis. This inflammation is not good for your body and causes severe pain.
You should consider using hemp oil in such scenarios. It has anti-inflammatory properties because of the immune cell control done by the endocannabinoid system. When the system is activated, the activity of immune cells changes too. This lowers inflammation and provides pain relief, one of the benefits of hemp oil. You can use CBD gummies to reduce inflammation.
Slowing Down Pain Signals
The brain and the body communicate in signals called nerve impulses. Some proteins in the skin send a nerve impulse to the brain when you get hurt, causing pain. These receptors are called nociceptors.
When CBD binds with its receptors, one of its results is the slowing down of impulses sent by nociceptors. This reduces and manages your pain levels. CBD oil’s ability to change nerve impulses is the reason it is commonly used in epilepsy treatment as well.
CBD Oil for Anxiety and Depression: What You Need to Know
If you have anxiety or depression, CBD oil can help calm you. This is due to its anxiolytic and antidepressant effects.
Anxiolytic Effects
CBD oil can be used in anxiety treatment.
People with anxiety have an imbalance in their brain chemicals or neurotransmitters. For example, they produce less of a chemical known as GABA, which calms people and makes them less anxious. CBD oil can increase the amount of GABA, which reduces the patient’s anxiety. So cannabis capsules are sometimes included in anxiety treatment.
Antidepressant Effects
CBD also has an anti-depressant role, as the endocannabinoid system plays a part in improving mood. CBD oil interacts with it and releases a chemical called serotonin by interacting with the endocannabinoid receptors. Studies show that serotonin has an anti-depressant effect. Having higher serotonin levels in the brain helps manage depression. People who want to increase their serotonin levels often take CBD gummy worms.
How Safe is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is generally safe, as it contains little to no THC. It is non-psychoactive and does not cause hallucinations. CBD oil is also not addictive like THC: you stay in your senses after using it.
Still, you should keep the side effects in mind. CBD can make you tired and irritable. It can also interfere with other medicines. Don’t use CBD without your doctor’s advice. If it interferes with any medicine, they will tell you.
Endnote
CBD oil is a popular supplement to control pain and treat anxiety. You can extract it using CO2 and alcohol-based methods and get a full-spectrum CBD oil, or a CBD isolate.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in your brain. This system can reduce pain and inflammation and help with anxiety and depression. It is legal to use this substance, but be responsible and ensure your doctor approves its use.
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