CBD Myths
CBD is illegal. FALSE
CBD will get you high and it is addictive. FALSE
All CBD oil is the same. FALSE
CBD Uses
There is a growing interest in the use of CBD oil for many health-related conditions. While the medical community is only just starting to understand the full medicinal value of CBD, ongoing research supports CBD’s role in the management of pain and inflammation, sleep problems and anxiety.
Clinicians have also used CBD for:
- Addiction
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- PTSD
- Diabetes
- Skin Issues
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s
- Neuroinflammation
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is one of the many cannabinoids (chemical compounds) found in marijuana and hemp which come from the cannibus plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another compound derived from the cannabis plant but unlike CBD, THC is psychoactive and can get you high.
How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work?
Humans have receptors throughout the body which attach endogenous CBD to exert its affects. These are chemicals like CBD that are made naturally in our body. This system is called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and it is involved in establishing and maintaining human health, homeostasis, and balance. Below are a few of the processes that have been linked to the ECS:
- Appetite and Digestion
- Metabolism
- Immune System Responses
- Mood/Learning and Memory
- Stress
- Sleep
- Cardiovascular System Function
- Reproductive System Function
- Skin and Nerve Function
Types of CBD
With its wide scope of treatment, it’s no wonder CBD has become a multibillion dollar industry with everyone jumping on board. So how do you know which products to buy and what are the doses to treat your condition?
As with all medications and even natural supplements, how one responds to therapy depends on individualized factors such as genetics, the body’s demand for the substance and one’s ability to detoxify.
A broad spectrum (no THC) or full spectrum (minimal allowable about of THC) CBD is made up of other plant constituents such as terpenes. Having this type of combination creates a synergistic effect which can ultimately result in a more powerful product.
As with any medication or supplement, whether synthetic or botanical, it is important to know where it has been sourced and how it is processed. Your CBD product should be third party-tested for chemicals such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, microbes, terpenes and cannabinoids.
How Do I Use CBD?
The dosing of CBD will vary depending on the specific product used as well as one’s unique physiology. Standard dosing schedules have not been established and it is felt that the need for CBD will vary based on an individual’s current health status. For example, when someone has higher oxidative stress from factors like sleep deprivation, chronic diseases or increased inflammation, the ECS may require higher doses of CBD to produce the desired effect.
Another factor to consider in choosing a product is bioavailability [According to Merriam-Webster, this is defined as “the degree and rate at which a substance (such as a drug) is absorbed into a living system or is made available at the site of physiological activity.”].
One of the techniques that allows for greater bioavailability is used by Ojai Energetics, the CBD product currently being used at Capitol Rehab of Arlington. In its colloidal method, water wraps around the CBD oil allowing it to travel straight into the bloodstream safely and effectively. This not only results in a more “immediate effect but also increases the body’s absorption with over 20 times improvement in bioavailability.” The recommended starting dose is 1 dropper full in the morning or in the evening (when treating insomnia). The dosing will vary as mentioned above and you can titrate, or adjust the dosage, based on your taste receptor response to this product.
Cautions with CBD
Although CBD is generally well-tolerated with an excellent safety profile, certain people should avoid using it, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and those taking certain pharmaceutical drugs. Some CBD users have reported symptoms such as dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue. Make sure to discuss possible drug interactions with your health care professional.
