Points to Ponder about Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical found naturally in cannabis (marijuana and hemp) plants. It is a type of cannabinoid and it is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana). The best-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD oil derived from hemp does not produce a “high” which is generally related to cannabis. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant grown for industrial use, like making paper and clothing. CBD from hemp oil contains trace amount of THC.

Is CBD Legal?

On the federal level, only those hemp-derived CBD products are legal which contain less than 0.3 percent THC but are still illegal under some state laws. CBD products are not FDA-approved and may be inaccurately labelled. 

Currently, there are no approved marketed pure CBD medicinal products, although two are under development. Cannabidiol is not listed on the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines (20th List) or the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children. 

CBD for Anxiety

Early research is promising regarding the ability of CBD oil to help relieve anxiety and its symptoms. You may associate any feelings of intoxication or the “high” with cannabis but the same isn’t true with CBD.

CBD is thought to interact with receptors like CB1 and CB2. These receptors from which CBD is thought to interact with are mostly found in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, respectively. A study in 2010 found that cannabidiol could reduce symptoms of social anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder (SAD). 

Brain scans of participants of the research revealed changes in blood flow to the regions of the brain linked to feelings of anxiety. There is evidence that CBD may be a useful treatment for numerous other medical conditions. However, this research is considerably less advanced than it is required to be, especially for treatment of epilepsy. For most indications and conclusions of the study, there is only pre-clinical evidence, while for some there is a combination of pre-clinical and limited clinical evidence.

CBD For Anxiety is available in three forms:

• CBD oil,
• CBD vape pens, or
• CBD gummies.

CBD for Skincare

CBD oil is being marketed in skin care products for everything from acne to wrinkles to anti-aging. Many studies have shown that CBD oil has anti-inflammatory benefits when used for skincare. This makes CBD an ingredient which is suitable for acne-prone skin, while its calming benefits help reactive skin look and feel better. Research also shows that CBD has the potential to reduce excess sebum (oil) production, possibly due to its balancing effect on the quality of skin’s oil. The antioxidants in CBD are one way topical use helps decrease the visible signs of aging. With the counteraction of free-radical damage and reducing the look of inflammation, CBD anti-aging creams visibly diminish problems like wrinkles, skin dullness, and ruddy skin tone. CBD oil does have benefits for skin but only as long as it’s extracted within the required and proper parameters. The major proposed benefits of CBD in skin care seem to be related to an anti-inflammatory effect.

Side Effects of CBD:

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness

Over to you

There are hundreds of current clinical trials that are evaluating the potential benefits of CBD for a variety of disorders, for instance, alcohol use disorder, pain, anxiety, etc. Researches related to most of these studies are being conducted in the US, but some are being conducted in other countries as well.