CBD is everywhere these days, and it’s become a buzzing word in the health and wellness niche. From coffee shops and pharmacies to online stores, you can easily find CBD gummies, oils, capsules, vapes, and other such products everywhere.
There are more than 2000 CBD brands in the US, which shows that there’s ample demand for it across the country. Canada, Europe, and many small South American nations have also legalized it for the masses in the last few years.
But why is it so popular? Why do people consume it? Let’s find out. If you are planning to buy it but need some more information on it, this article is all you need to read.
What is CBD? What’s all the fuss about?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s a plant compound mainly found in cannabis plants. There are two types of cannabis plants – hemp and marijuana. Marijuana plants have low levels of CBD and high levels of THC. THC is the one that makes you high and euphoric. CBD on the other hand has medicinal properties and can make you feel calm, focused, and at ease.
Hemp plants have high levels of CBD and only trace amounts of THC, that’s why they are the ones used for making CBD products and those products can not have more than 0.3% THC in them. Special industrial hemp plants are used to make your everyday CBD products.
Whereas marijuana-derived CBD products with high THC levels are restricted for those with severe medical conditions only. To access those you need a prescription and your state’s medical marijuana membership.
What are the legal standards and regulations around CBD?
In many countries, CBD is now legal, with the only condition being that it cannot have more than 0.3% THC in it, and its source must be industrial hemp plants. Some nations like Japan are taking a more conservative approach and trying to bring down THC levels even less than 0.3%.
In the US, CBD became fully legal under the 2018 farm bill, in the 2014 iteration of the same bill it was only allowed for research in favorites and government institutions. It was a federal bill, so US states still had control over specific guidelines.
Initially, many states did not allow it, but things changed gradually and now you can buy CBD in almost all 50 of them. In most states, the age limit is either 18 or 21, and then there are some with no age limit at all.
The FDA though is still not very clear about it, and this lack of regulations often leads to exploitation by brands. As a result, many sugar brands enter the market, having more or less cannabinoids than what’s mentioned on the label.
That’s why you must buy your CBD stack only from reputed brands like Colorado Botanicals which gives you the latest lab test reports and uses advanced filtration processes. However, there is an FDA-approved CBD-based prescription medicine known as Epidolex, which is mainly used for treating various forms of epilepsy and is deemed for even kids.
Why do people take CBD? What are its benefits?
Oh boi where do we even start? It has tons of clinically proven benefits. Plus, you’ll find millions of anecdotes all across the globe where people found solace in CBD use. Many use it for pain – whether it’s from an old sports injury or chronic conditions. It’s like having a natural pain reliever that doesn’t make you feel foggy.
Anxiety and stress are other big reasons. Some people say it helps them feel calmer without making them sleepy or out of it. Sleep problems? CBD might help there too.
It’s not like a sleeping pill that knocks you out – it’s more like it helps your body remember how to relax naturally. It’s also good for your skin, it has strong anti-inflammatory properties which can heal your skin and protect it from damage caused by environmental stressors.
It’s a good antioxidant and can help you with itchy red skin by suppressing the activity of TRPV1 receptors. Some studies report that it’s also good for your brain. It has strong neuroprotective properties and has shown significant results in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, PTSD, ADHD, and other neurological disorders.
For average Joe like you and me, CBD can help us to wind down after a long and hectic day. It can calm our nerves, curb discomfort causing pain, and allow our body to slide into deep restful sleep.
Is CBD safe? Are there any side effects?
In most cases, CBD is very well tolerated by the human body. Heck, it even works for cats, dogs, and horses. Side effects, if any, are only very mild. It may make some people a bit tired, and dehydrated and affect their appetite.
But mostly it’s about dosage, if you start to slow and let your body adjust to the compound, these side effects will go away. It’s always recommended to increase your water intake after adding CBD to your diet to avoid cotton mouth and taking it with food will diminish any risk of nausea.
One important thing to know is that CBD can interact with other medications, so always check with your doctor first, especially if you take prescription drugs. Pregnant, breastfeeding women and people with certain health conditions should probably avoid CBD until we know more about its long-term effects.
Our Final Thoughts
To sum it up, CBD is a naturally occurring plant compound found in cannabis plants and has strong healing effects in mammals. People usually take it to maintain their anxiety, stress, pain, and sleep-related issues.
You can buy it in the form of gummies, oils, vapes, lotions, gels, bath bombs, and even snacks. Some experts believe that it’s much better than opioid-based pain meds due to its lack of side effects and non-dependency-causing nature.
If you need a clean, green, and effective solution for your daily wellness needs, CBD can be just the right thing for you. If you do decide to buy, get it only from reputed and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals.