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What Is CBD & What Is It Good For? The Full Cannabidiol Guide

August 2, 2021

What is CBD? It's hailed as one of the wonder-drugs of the 21st century. 

According to enthusiasts, it's powerful and has next to no side effects.

What's the truth behind this mysterious substance, and is it truly safe to use? 

Join us and learn more about the wonders of this marijuana derivative.

What is CBD?

By now, we've all heard of CBD, but some of us are still unsure what it is. What does CBD stand for, what is it, and how do you use it?

CBD is short for Cannabidiol—one of the two most prevalent active components of Marijuana. 

Unlike THC, which has addictive potential and causes a high, CBD's effects are calming and primarily physical.

Another, more technical, answer to the question, "What is CBD?" would be: CBD is a lipid-soluble chemical compound that affects the human nervous system.

Because CBD is fat-soluble, regular use means it starts to accumulate in your body's fats and tissues. As a result, the effects increase with regular use. 

CBD Oil

CBD benefits: what does CBD do?

When all is said and done, what is CBD's claim to fame?

Studies show the CBD health benefits are diverse and offer many significant advantages.

If you're asking, "What is CBD good for?" you can look forward to positive effects in the following areas:

  • Treating anxiety and depression - One of the benefits is that, in appropriate doses, you can use CBD for anxiety and depression. There's even some evidence that it may help treat PTSD.
  • Managing blood pressure - Recent CBD studies have shown a single dose of the oil can significantly reduce the resting blood pressure of men who usually struggle with hypertension.
  • Hormone management - In males whose bodies have a hard time producing enough testosterone, CBD oil can help boost hormone production to more natural levels. Studies show that it may also help bring down high testosterone levels.
  • Pain relief - One of the most well-known benefits of CBD oil is pain management. Using CBD for pain can numb and treat it to keep it within manageable levels or eliminate it (depending on the severity).
  • Managing cancer-related symptoms - CBD oil has several applications in managing cancer-related symptoms. Whether the problem is nausea, pain, or fatigue, the CBD health benefits are inarguable—it's simply a matter of dosage.
  • Treating skin conditions - CBD oil has proven helpful in the skincare industry to help manage problems like acne.
  • Inflammation management - CBD studies have shown this compound has significant anti-inflammatory properties. Many patients who suffer from gout or similar inflammatory disorders are starting to investigate the effects of CBD.

Research into the CBD health benefits is only just getting started, so we're sure that many further uses will come to light. 

Whether you're using high-CBD strains or CBD oil, the uses are manifold.

cbd oil

After all, does CBD work?

Once you know how to use CBD oil, there are many practical purposes for it. 

Since it's a relatively new product, many people still ask, does CBD work?

This chemical boasts many great benefits and is highly effective. The CBD oil uses we mentioned above are only a few of the wondrous ways it affects the human body.

So, if you've been asking, "What does CBD do to you?" you can set your mind at ease. Not only is CBD good for you, but it can help manage your chronic health problems.

How does CBD work?

Now that we've talked about the CBD meaning, let's discuss exactly how this substance works.

Every human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS connects directly to the central nervous system and can affect any part of the body in contact with nerves.

Since the entire human body connects to the nervous system somehow, the ECS can affect almost every part of the human anatomy.

Where do the CBD effects come from? The human body has two types of CBD receptors, which scientists have (very originally) named CB1 and CB2 receptors.

You have CB1 receptors in almost every part of your body, but mostly in your brain. They affect everything from pain and emotion to movement and appetite.

Your CB2 receptors relate to the immune system and affect pain and inflammation.

The many CBD health benefits arise because CBD stimulates the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which prompts your body to create the relevant natural endocannabinoids.

As the body experiences an increase in natural endocannabinoids, it boosts its ability to manage emotions and pain, treat inflammation, and fight potential infections.  

Essentially, CBD oil stimulates your body's natural functions and helps it work to the best of its abilities. 

CBD tea finished
CBD Tea

What do the most recent CBD studies say about its uses?

Recent CBD studies have shown that, while there are some minor CBD side effects, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Medical professionals have found that CBD medical uses include management of:

  • Nausea
  • Cancer
  • Pain
  • Inflammation
  • Mood disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Headaches
  • PTSD
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Seizure disorders
  • Parkinson's
  • Alzheimer
  • Lung diseases
  • Multiple Sclerosis 
  • Sleep disorders

What is the best way to take CBD?

CBD comes in many different forms, but not all of them are equally effective. You can take advantage of the CBD medical effects through:

  • Gummies and other edibles
  • Creams and lotions
  • Vaporizers
  • Oil and similar tinctures
  • Smoking high-CBD weed strains

Gummies and other CBD edibles can deliver CBD effects, but they're not 100% reliable. Depending on the individual, you may also suffer some CBD side effects using this method.

Vapes, humidifiers, and other methods which allow you to inhale the CBD are some of the fastest ways to get the CBD effects. 

Vaporizers also add other risks to the primary CBD side effects, though. Lung damage is only one of the potential complications of taking CBD this way.

CBD creams and lotions are an ideal choice if you're using cannabidiol to treat pain and skin conditions. 

While the effects might take a bit longer to come into play this way, it only affects the area that you want it to.

CBD oil is the best way of taking this alternative medicine. If you drop the oil under your tongue, it absorbs through the many capillaries in that area.

Since it gets absorbed directly into your bloodstream, CBD oil is fast-acting. You're also absorbing essentially pure CBD, so you face fewer risks of unrelated side effects.

The final and most enjoyable way of taking CBD is by smoking high-CBD strains. The downside to this is you might face issues like THC sensitivity, and the CBD isn't pure.

CBD Oil

What is CBD oil?

Now you know CBD oil is the most reliable way to take the substance, you're probably asking, "But what is CBD oil?"

CBD oils and tinctures have a base (usually alcohol, glycerine, or a natural oil) combined with pure CBD. This combination allows you to drip the product directly into your mouth.

As a result of its purity and the method for taking it, CBD oil is highly effective and works quickly.

What is CBD oil good for?

The next inevitable question is, "What is CBD oil good for?"

The list of what you can't use CBD oil for is much shorter than the list of things it's effective for.

Just a few of the things that CBD oil works for include treating: 

  • Migraines and headaches
  • Pain and inflammation
  • Mental disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease
  • Breathing disorders like allergies, asthma, and lung conditions
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Sleep disorders
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Arthritis and joint pain

As studies continue, we're sure to discover the oil has many other medical effects.

CBD Oil

How to use CBD oil?

There are many different ways of taking CBD oil, but some are more effective than others.

The easiest, and most effective way to take it, is to apply a tincture beneath your tongue with a dropper. This approach releases the CBD directly into the myriad of capillaries in that area.

The substance gets absorbed into your body quickly and begins to work sooner than with other methods.

Other ways of taking CBD oil include:

  • Buying oil capsules
  • Making oil smoothies
  • Drinking it in your morning coffee
  • Adding it to cocktails
  • Making a balm from it
  • Vaping it or using it in a humidifier 
  • Making edibles from it

Except for the CBD oil capsules, all of these methods reintroduce the risk of contamination with other substances. They may also take longer to absorb into your system.

We suggest dropping the CBD oil under your tongue for best results.

Is CBD oil safe? Are there any side effects?

Recent CBD studies have shown that using CBD oil is one of the safest ways to ingest this substance.

When it comes to side effects, you may experience:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth

In most cases, CBD oil is less likely to produce side effects since you're taking it in a pure liquid form. 

If you smoke, vape, or ingest CBD products, the chances of having an adverse reaction are higher than with an oil or tincture.

How to know if cannabidiol is good for you?

CBD is good, but is it good for you?

Not every patient reacts the same way to CBD use, and some medications react negatively to the substance.

If you have any of the health issues we mentioned CBD works for, it may be worth a shot.

The best way to decide if CBD is good for you is to discuss it with your doctor. They’ll know which medications you're on and what side effects to expect.

If you decide to disregard this advice (which we strongly discourage), don't start yourself on a high dose. Instead, take a drop or two of CBD oil a day, see how you react, then work from there.

Vape Juice
CBD Vape Oil

What to look for when shopping for cannabidiol (CBD)?

When you're shopping for CBD, you need to ask yourself a few questions.

  1. What is it for? If you want to treat a skin condition, a CBD cream or lotion might be good, but CBD oil might be better if you want to treat anxiety.
  2. How much THC is in the product? Not everyone reacts well to THC, and it might have effects you don't want. If you only want the medical properties, buy a product with under 0.3% THC.
  3. Does the product have the CBD amount on the label? Any product without a stated CBD percentage might not be the best choice.
  4. Does the brand have test results? The best products will have some independent testing behind their names.
  5. What does the packaging say the product is helpful for? Any product that claims to heal just about everything is probably adequate for treating very little.

Key Takeaways 

  • What is CBD? 

A chemical compound derived from cannabis or hemp that affects the central nervous system and aids the body by boosting natural functions.

  • Is cannabidiol safe? 

Absolutely, most people can use CBD oil without suffering any side effects (though some people may).

  • Are there any CBD side effects? 

Some people (especially those using edibles and vapes) may suffer from dry eyes, a dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea.

  • Is CBD oil safe? 

CBD oil is one of the safest forms of CBD. It typically induces minor side effects and takes effect sooner.

  • Does CBD work? 

Yes, it does. Studies have shown it's useful for various ailments.

  • What is CBD good for? 

CBD is good for treating nausea, anxiety, pain, inflammation, lung disorders, and even skin conditions.

FAQs

We've put together some of the most common questions our readers ask about CBD oil. Read on to lay your burning questions to rest.

Is CBD a drug?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, may be a medicinal chemical compound, but it isn't truly a drug.

It has many medical uses and effects, but drug scans don't even screen for CBD.

Additionally, this substance doesn't fit into the drug schedule, so it isn't truly a drug.

Does CBD really do anything?

CBD studies have proven that this substance has many real effects.

Some of the CBD uses include:

  • Managing anxiety
  • Controlling blood pressure
  • Managing hormones
  • Energy-boosting (in low doses)
  • Sedation (in high doses)
  • Treating PTSD

Are CBD gummies safe to take?

For the most part, CBD gummies are perfectly safe.

As with any cannabidiol-based product, however, not everybody reacts the same way.

For some people, any of the CBD side effects may ensue. Potential side effects include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness 
CBD Gummies
CBD Gummies

What happens if you take CBD every day?

Is CBD safe to take every day? Yes, it is. Not only is it safe to use every day, but doctors find daily usage increases the effectiveness of CBD's health benefits.

This increase is because CBD is a fat-soluble chemical. When you use CBD oil every day, the substance begins to infuse into the lipid-filled parts of your body (including the brain and muscles).

Over time, this infusion process leads to an increase of the CBD in your body, enhancing the effects and benefits.

What drugs should not be taken with CBD?

Recent CBD studies have shown at least 139 medications may interact negatively with cannabidiol or CBD products.

They managed to narrow these down to 57 medications with higher chances of negative interactions with CBD oil.

The most likely medications to interact negatively with CBD uses are:

  • Warfarin - a blood thinner
  • Amiodarone - helps regulate heart functions
  • Levothyroxine - helps maintain thyroid activity
  • Clobazam - anti-seizure medication
  • Valproate - anti-seizure medication
  • Lamotrigine - anti-seizure medication

Will CBD make me tired?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, doesn't have the same sedative effects as cannabis plants.

The CBD oil effects depend heavily on the dosage. CBD oil tends to have a stimulating effect in low doses, while high doses have a sedative effect.

Does CBD raise testosterone?

Among the many CBD effects discovered recently is the impact it has on testosterone levels. 

CBD raises testosterone levels for most men, but in men with an overly high threshold, CBD oil can help manage the levels. 

Can you drink alcohol while taking CBD oil?

After CBD studies, the consensus is it's safe to drink alcohol while you're using CBD oil.

One of the theorized effects of CBD oil is that it helps to minimize cell damage caused by alcohol poisoning.  

Other medical professionals theorize it may enhance the effects of alcohol intoxication.

We can't say for sure, but the current belief is that the CBD oil side effects don't include having to stay away from alcohol.

Can you take too much CBD?

It's possible to take too much CBD, but the results would likely be uncomfortable and not fatal.

Most medical professionals, including the World Health Organization, concur that overdosing on CBD oil would be unpleasant but not deadly.

Anticipated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme sleepiness, apathy, and lethargy.

Does CBD affect the kidneys?

So far, there's no evidence of CBD oil affecting kidney function.

Scientists have been performing many CBD studies to try and determine if it's safe to use.

At this point, none of the CBD side effects have affected kidney or liver function.

Does CBD lower blood pressure?

Studies done over the last couple of years have shown that one of CBD oil's effects is to lower blood pressure.

Unfortunately, we've not yet determined if this is one of the practical CBD uses. 

The tests showed a significant drop in resting blood pressure and stress markers, but the long-term benefits of CBD for blood pressure are unconfirmed.

Can I give it to my dog?

Yes, you can, with some careful consideration. However, while the CBD oil benefits extend to your furry friends, the dosage is tricky.

Pet CBD products contain the same quality of CBD oil as human products but in much smaller doses. 

So, while you can dose your furry friend with human products, it's advisable to buy pet products instead

The alternative? Spend a lot of time and effort to try and work out a low enough dosage so it won't harm your dog.

Can you travel with CBD?

Whether by bus, train, or plane, it's legal to travel with CBD oil. One of the many benefits of CBD is that it's legal at a federal level. 

As long as your oil doesn't contain more than 0.3% THC, it's entirely legal in any one of the US states.

If you're planning on traveling overseas, Google "What is the CBD law of (your destination)?" Not all countries have legalized this medical marvel yet.

Will CBD show up on a drug test?

One of the many CBD benefits is that it will not show up on a drug screen.

Most drug screens don't even look for this substance since the CBD effects don't include intoxication or a high—it also isn't an illegal or controlled substance.

To keep learning about cannabidiol and learn how to grow your own medicine plants, check out our article about high CBD strains.

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