CBD has become very popular in the last few years. You can find it in pharmacies, dispensaries, box stores, and even online. Many people are confused about what it is, what it treats, and where to get it. We’re here to clear up any confusion about this form of medical marijuana.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol, which is a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant.
Can I Use CBD for Anxiety?
Yes! While CBD is still relatively new in the medical field, it has enormous therapeutic potential. Preclinical research and clinical studies show CBD has the following qualities.
- Anti-oxidant
- Anticonvulsant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-tumoral
- Anti-psychotic
- Neuro-protective
Studies are currently underway researching CBD’s impacts on a wide range of conditions.
How Do I Take CBD?
Let’s go over the five ways you can take CBD.
1. Capsules
Capsules are an easy way to fold CBD into your daily regimen. The downside of capsules is it takes time for them to digest and enter your bloodstream.
2. Injection
Injecting CBD into fat cells (liposomes) allows your body to deliver CBD to your cells undamaged. Using liposomes under the tongue also gets CBD into your bloodstream quickly and effectively.
3. Liquid Form
Tinctures (liquid form) allow you to measure the dosage and mix with liquids or food recipes.
4. Vaping
The quickest delivery system is vaping.
- Vaping juice mixed in food or liquid
- Taken under the tongue
- Vaped using a vape cartridge
5. Balms and Creams
You can apply balms and creams directly to your skin. This method is perfect if you need relief from arthritis or other muscle pains.
Will CBD Get Me High?
No. You may not have realized that the marijuana (cannabis) plant comprises many components that can be separated during processing.
Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce psychoactive, “euphoric” effects. Patients have described the effects of CBD as relaxing but not intoxicating.
Is It Addictive?
No, abuse or dependence. In recent studies, CBD has exhibited no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence.
Is It Safe?
Yes, well-tolerated. Studies have shown long-term use and high doses of CBD (up to 1,500 mg/day) are reportedly well tolerated in humans.
Are Products Legal in All 50 States?
Yes. CBD products are legal as long as they:
- Are derived from hemp, not marijuana
- Contain less than 0.3% THC
To buy CBD derived from marijuana or with higher THC content, a medical marijuana identification card issued by a registered practitioner is required in most states.
In states where recreational marijuana has been legalized, you can purchase either marijuana-based or hemp-based CBD if you are over 21.
How Do You Choose a Product?
Easily! Because of its popularity, there are a lot of products on the market. At this point, you can even find them in convenience stores, but that doesn’t mean that they are all the same quality.
When selecting a product, check to see the product has been third-party lab tested for the three P‘s.
Potency, Purity, Pesticides
A study performed by JAMA in 2017 discovered nearly 70% of all products sold online made from Cannabidiol contained either higher or lower concentrations of the drug than indicated on the label.
Since the labels on products are often inaccurate and unreliable when it comes to their content, purchasing a product through a trusted source is crucial.
Is CBD Isolate Better Than Whole Plant Extracts?
You may have noticed some products are made from whole-plant extracts, while others contain an isolate. Although many have made claims, products infused with a crystalline CBD isolate are better than whole plant extracts, there has been no conclusive evidence of this.
Single-molecule is actually thought to be less effective than whole plant oil extract. Why? The rich combination of compounds in medicinal plants complements each other to offer more thorough healing effects.
This supports the “entourage effect” concept that a mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other molecules such as flavonoids and stilbenoids, have a stronger effect than just CBD or THC alone.
Will the Results of Drug Tests Be Affected by CBD?
Most drug tests screen for THC, not CBD. But you should be aware full-spectrum hemp extracts may contain trace amounts of THC.
The trace amount can be enough to cause a positive result when screening blood and urine specimens, particularly if you are taking high doses.
Will CBD Interact With Other Medications?
Significant drug-herb interactions are unlikely if you are taking less than 150mg of CBD per day. But it is always possible drug-herb interactions can occur, especially if you are taking higher doses.
CBD can interact with many pharmaceuticals by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome P450, a family of liver enzymes.
If you take medications that require maintaining certain blood levels like anti-seizure, anti-viral, blood-thinning medications, consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Will It Impact Your Appetite?
Marijuana has a reputation for making you feel hungry. However, it’s the THC that impacts appetite, not the CBD.
Does It Have Side Effects?
Yes. However, the side effects are few and far between. But, you may experience:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
- Mild intoxication (rare)
What Is the Right Dosage?
The right dosage depends on the individual and condition it is being used to treat. Effective dosages can range from 5mg up to 150mg per day.
Smaller doses over the course of the day tend to be more effective. We recommend working with your healthcare provider when selecting how much and how often to use.
You’ve Got Questions. We’ve Got Answers!
If you’ve been thinking about using CBD or medical marijuana to treat your health conditions, we can help! Our team has extensive experience in prescribing and treating patients using medical marijuana.
Not only can our team help you get to the root cause of your problem, but we can also develop a customized treatment plan and help you get your medical marijuana card. Contact us for an appointment today!
Resources
- Image attribution
- Thirty-ninth Meeting Geneva, 6-10 November 2017
- Bergamaschi MM(1), Queiroz RH, Zuardi AW, Crippa JA
- HG J Am Bot Coun 84:44-55
- Br J Pharmacol. 2011 Aug;163(7):1344-64
- Euro J Pharmacol. 1998;353:23–31
- The Real Risk of Buying Medical Marijuana Online