Cannabidiol (CBD) oil and other products containing CBD are the latest craze among people searching for alternatives to traditional medicine to cure their ailments and the natural progression of aging. The places to buy it are growing daily, but you can find the best CBD oils in Canada right here. But is CBD effective?
What is it?
A lot of people assume CBD is marijuana, or weed. Not the case. Although it’s a major ingredient in the cannabis plants, CBD lacks the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that gives you the “high” feeling and makes you eat a ton of Cheetos and drink a swimming pool’s worth of lemonade. Or is that just me? CBD comes in pill, oil and cream forms most popularly and can be taken orally or rubbed on the skin.
What are some benefits?
To date, there isn’t a whole lot of data that can conclusively pinpoint the medicinal advantages of using CBD oil. Thanks in large part to marijuana laws and, to some extent, the stigma many have attached to using CBD.
However, early indications are CBD can help with inflammatory issues. I know people personally who have used it on aching joints and they have raved about it. Another benefit, especially for women, is the effect CBD has on the skin when used regularly. People have credited the use of CBD to reducing acne or rosacea and to help clear their skin overall. Not only the skin, too. It helps with strengthening hair follicles too! You can improve the health of your entire head overall!
A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information did a study that investigated the effectiveness of CBD on treating hormonal imbalances. More specific, they’re researching how CBD can help balance the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone. Control the hormone, control the stress!
Is It Safe?
Just as there isn’t much data on the benefits, the same can be said for testing to see if CBD is safe. So far, CBD seems safe for most people who use it. CBD is not currently regulated by the FDA, but you can bet that if people were having a widespread negative reaction to the product, they would put their foot down pretty quickly.
Athletes love it!
Many athletes are turning to CBD for it’s inflammatory and joint pain relief. People like Rob Gronkowski and Lamar Odom are hocking CBD with the former crediting it for getting him back on the playing field.
Rob isn’t the only athlete touting the effectiveness of CBD. World class soccer player Megan Rapinoe credits the use of CBD to help her manage the pain and recovery from ACL surgeries.
“When it’s taken after a hard training and before bed, I feel it gives me a better night’s sleep and I feel like I’m able to relax a little bit easier,” Megan Rapinoe said. “So, I kind of just have it in my daily routine, like I would eat healthy and take natural products and drink a lot of water and take CBD and get as much sleep. It’s kind of the secret sauce.”
With the benefits mounting and superstar athletes backing it, the CBD “secret sauce” may be out of the bag. Heck, it’s even great for dogs!
