CBD Oil: 12 Benefits, Uses & Everything you Need to Know

CBD oil is a growing treatment option for medical issues from physical to mental. In fact, the CBD oil market is expected to reach $3.8 billion by 2027 with 38.8% growth in cosmetic-based application due to its suggested anti-inflammatory properties. This is an extremely fast-growing industry thanks to a larger attention to holistic offerings rather than a reliance on solely pharmaceuticals.

In fact, there has been a growing number of pharmaceutical-grade CBD oil products that have begun to pop up. It seems that the industry has begun to notice the future of patient-centered treatment options. A 2019 article on the rising role of CBD oil products in pharmaceuticals mentions that there are about 100 studies being conducted on the impact of cannabinoids.  

Patients are now looking for solutions to exhaustive physical and mental health conditions. Many may be looking for offerings to help with issues sleeping, or just to calm down after a long day at work. In fact, the growing attention to topical CBD balms may be an option for those looking to recover quickly after a minor injury. Whatever the offering, there really is something for everyone. 

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CBD oil, or cannabidiol oil, is derived from the hemp plant and classified as a type of cannabinoid. While these chemicals are commonly found in marijuana, CBD derivatives do not contain the psychoactive properties. This is due to the lack of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is what produces the “high” feeling. 

Before deciding if CBD oil is for you, it’s best to understand the types of products including:

• Broad-Spectrum - Has no THC and multiple naturally found cannabinoids 
• Full-Spectrum - Contains THC and all naturally found cannabinoids
• Isolate - Contains only CBD and no other cannabinoids 

Today there are so many options for CBD oil that there is something for everyone. There are options for those who have trouble sleeping, those who are stressing out, and even for those times when your thoughts are racing. 

CBD is extracted from the hemp plant to result in an oil being produced. A common industry practice involves using CO2 extraction for pure and concentrated CBD. This involves taking carbon dioxide and putting it under pressure and low temperatures which then transformers the gas into a liquid to extract the CBD oil. There is also a process involving ethanol in which CBD oil can be extracted by taking hemp and putting it in a cold ethanol bath. These processes are often used to ensure higher efficiency and efficacy of a product. 

As with any product taken, there are pros and cons to consider. Without depth of research, some doctors are hesitant to classify CBD as being a cure-all or denounce it as completely ineffective. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, CBD is found to be generally well-tolerated despite having some side effects including: fatigue, drowsiness, and diarrhea. However, your doctor will be able to better explain how CBD oil may work given your medical history. 

Yes. The 2018 Farm Bill redefined the use of hemp to allow for legal use. Any hemp-derived product under 0.3% THC is legal to possess, sell, and consume. However, any product over 0.3% THC is still considered to be marijuana and is federally illegal. It’s important to check your state guidelines to better understand how your state classifies CBD products in relation to the legal percentage of products containing THC. 

If the CBD oil product is under 0.3% THC then it is not classified as a drug and legal to use in all 50 states. However, if a CBD oil product is over 0.3% THC then it is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance according to the FDA. This means that anything over that amount is not federally legal and the regulation goes state by state then. 

However, these are more technical standards to understand the legality of CBD products, but this should not deter you from making an informed personal decision. Talk with your doctor about the use of CBD and if it may be a potentially effective treatment depending on your personal medical history. 

For starters, there are many types of drug tests that can detect even trace amounts of THC. It is generally recommended to avoid full-spectrum ingestibles (contains under 0.3% THC, whereas broad-spectrum does not contain THC) prior to a drug test. Drug tests are meant to screen for THC, and not CBD, as it cannot produce a psychoactive high. However, trace amounts of THC can potentially trigger a false positive result. 

THC is detectable in urine for 3-15 days for those who smoke/ingest THC at an infrequent rate. However, for frequent, or heavy, users THC can be detected up to 30 days after last use. Similarly, THC is detectable for up to 90 days if taken from a hair strand. It is also detectable in blood for up to a week and in saliva for up to 3 days. 

If you have cause for concern, or an upcoming drug test, it is recommended to take a break from using all full-spectrum CBD products.  

Cancer treatments are often extremely painful and draining on patients. So much so that many seek relief in various forms from dietary changes to holistic options such as CBD oil. According to the National Cancer Institute, medical cannabis may help cancer patients with: feelings of nausea, issues with appetite, pain, and sleep. 

Researchers also found in 2016 that cannabinoids may be promising in fighting against cancer. This is due to the compounds found in cannabinoids working to inhibit the growth of certain types of tumor cells.  

Pain treatments and new research continues to enhance our understanding of how pain works and how to better treat without the overuse of opioids. A 2018 study found that 15 of 18 trials demonstrated a significant analgesic effect of cannabinoids when compared to a placebo. A portion of patients also self-reported a 30% reduction in pain intensity (based on a scale of 0-10). 

While this may not seem like an overwhelming success, it does demonstrate the future potential of additional CBD research on pain management.

And at this stage in time, even a 30% reduction in pain could mean a world of a difference to someone with pervasive and chronic pain. 

As of 2021, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers conducted an observational study to better understand the impact of CBD on those with epilepsy. Their findings revealed a possible reduction in the adverse effects associated with anti-seizure medications. Findings also suggested further improvement in health and quality of life.  

This is important for patients and doctors to better determine if there are other options to often side effect heavy anti-seizure medications. It also suggests a growing attention to the quality of life for epileptic patients. The Epilepsy Foundation even mentions the potentiality of using CBD to treat those living with drug-resistant epilepsy and uncontrolled seizures.

A 2015 review of CBD found it to be a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Existing preclinical evidence strongly supports CBD as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD, and PTSD when administered acutely. They mention that the research is lacking for chronic CBD dosing with more data suggesting that acute dosing may be successful for patients.  

Researchers similarly found CBD oil to be effective for pediatric anxiety and insomnia as part of PTSD. The trial of CBD oil use resulted in a decrease in anxiety and improvement in sleep. With limited pediatric research on CBD oil use, this is a step forward to better treat and manage children’s mental health.

According to Medical News Today, thanks to a 2012 study, CBD may produce similar effects as seen in antipsychotic drugs to treat people with schizophrenia. More research is needed to further support this study, but the mere suggestion of potential efficacy is a step in the right direction. 

High blood pressure is a constant and almost universal health problem that many Americans must deal with. In fact, a 2022 study found that there was an overall rise in rates of high blood pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has become a top priority for many doctors across the country to combat. 

However, thanks to a 2017 study, researchers found that an acute administration of CBD (600 mg of CBD) can reduce resting blood pressure and even blood pressure associated with stress and an increase in heart rate. 

This attention to such a pervasive health issue suggests that CBD may be an effective future treatment to combat medical-based blood pressure issues and potentially anxiety-related blood pressure issues as well. The data also opens up the need for further research on the use of CBD to treat cardiovascular disorders. This must be better understood before coming to a conclusion, but the suggestion proves to be a new avenue for exploration. 

Inflammation can be extremely difficult to live with, especially when there are limited options to consider. Furthermore, some types of inflammation can signal larger chronic issues as well. According to a 2020 study on the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol, researchers found that CBD may indirectly improve these symptoms. There was a reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which suggests that there may be a connection between CBD use and potential alleviation of inflammation. 

A 2021 study furthers this research and found that CBD & CBG (cannabigerol, or an early-phase cannabinoid), and CBD+THC have an anti-inflammatory effect in living organisms. This is also a current study that utilizes CBG, which is becoming a popular cannabinoid. It may be worth looking into the benefits of CBG, which has been referred to as the “Rolls-Royce” of cannabinoids because it is harvested earlier in the plant life stage of the hemp plant. This may be a costly process, but the result is a powerful and pure form of cannabinoid without the addition of THC.             

According to the CDC, in 2018, 55.1% (21.5 million) of adult smokers made an attempt to quit smoking in the past year. Smoking has become a popular habit for many, but is still connected to countless health issues, which is no wonder why so many choose to quit. 

In 2018, researchers found that a single 800 mg oral dose of cannabidiol reduced the craving for cigarettes in dependent smokers. This may suggest a connection between suppression of the urge to smoke with the addition of a potential CBD oil product. More research will only improve any limitations found and expand on the potentiality of CBD as a treatment option for millions of smokers. 

Just as smoking is pervasive in today’s society, so is the role of depression in the lives of countless Americans. So much so that Mental Health America (MHA) found in 2020 that more than 27 million adults with mental illness in the U.S. are going untreated. 

In 2020, researchers evaluated the role of CBD as a potential treatment type for individuals with anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders. They determined that effects of CBD depend on dosage properties such as timing, strain type, and type of administration. Furthermore, preliminary clinical trials support the efficacy for antidepressant purposes. 

As research becomes more commonplace, we may see a greater attention toward the alternatives of CBD oil to counteract depression symptoms. 

Verywell Health details the benefits of CBD as having anti-inflammatory, antioxidative properties which could help with risk factors associated with heart disease. According to a study conducted in 2020, researchers found that CBD could be used to relax artery walls, which may help to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. This may build on a 2013 study which suggested that CBD reduces inflammation in arteries and blood vessels, which could prove to potentially prevent heart failure in the future. 

Dr. Peter Grinspoon with Harvard Health Publishing, mentions side effects of nausea, fatigue, and irritability. He also mentions the potential interaction of CBD oil with blood thinning medications, which may result in abnormalities in liver blood tests. 

This is not meant to scare or dissuade a person from using CBD oil, it is merely meant to inform. However, it is always beneficial to discuss any new addition to your body with your doctor before consumption. Your doctor can best explain and direct you based on your individual medical history. 

If you’re new to CBD oil it may seem daunting to figure out an appropriate dosage. But you shouldn't let this deter you from the potential offerings. As with many things in life it is recommended to start low and work your way up. 

This is a summation of a basic tenet of pharmacology called the Minimum Effective Dose (MED), which tells users to take the smallest amount of a substance to achieve the desired outcome. You can better understand how your body tolerates CBD oil this way and you can avoid the worry of any potential interactions. 

Think of it in simple terms, if you're trying a new food you would most likely take a small bite first to see if you like it. This is the same principle - start small and then decide what works best based on tolerance. 

Before taking any new substance, whether it's prescribed or personally chosen, you should always discuss with your doctor first. However, it’s good to understand the mechanisms behind how CBD oil works in the body. This includes how the body metabolizes cannabinoids. For example, CYP450 is a group of enzymes responsible for metabolizing cannabinoids like CBD, but the body has other enzymes that metabolize at different rates.

 So, some medications are metabolized faster than others and adding CBD oil into the system may impact that rate even more. 

However, topical CBD oils may be a better option if you are concerned about products that directly enter the bloodstream. It should be noted that there are often many drug interactions with grapefruit, so it is advised to discuss this with your doctor if on any medications. However, more research is needed to better determine how CBD oil interacts with a variety of medications. 

A tincture is a plant extract that is dissolved in ethanol. This is a popular choice for those who want an exact dose (thanks to the dropper). As far as tinctures go, there’s a type for all CBD users from the novices to the connoisseurs. 

• Dream CBD Oil - Designed for the restless sleeper that is looking to fully recharge. 
• Calm CBD Oil - Designed for the stressed out employee looking for some balance. 
• Original CBD Oil - The OG Batch formula designed to improve overall wellness. 
• Clarity CBD Oil - A blend engineered to push away the trivial, leaving you to get to work. 
• Gold Reserve Blend - The strongest formulation of the batch designed for CBD connoisseurs. This is definitely not for those new to CBD products. 
• CBG Oil - This is the rare one. This blend of cannabigerol (CBG) is for those looking to expand their knowledge of other hemp products. 

• CBD Gummies - These are full-spectrum, vegan-made, with all-natural ingredients. They’re the go-to all-purpose CBD solution.
• Nighttime CBD + CBN Gummies - For those looking for some rest. 

• CBD Balm: Fire & Ice - It warms and cools all while delivering full-spectrum CBD so you can recover quickly. 
• CBD Balm: Original - Another revamped OG that’s designed to get you back on your feet. This upgraded formulation now has more CBD, organic jojoba oil, and an easy twist-up applicator for a cleaner application. 
• CBD Aloe Vera After Sun Gel - Relieve your skin after a long day in the sun with this cooling gel. It’s also unscented to better serve those with sensitive or irritated skin. Pop it in the fridge 1 hour before use to heighten                                          the sensory experience. 

• CBD Softgels - These soft gel capsules allow for easy consumption without compromising on the benefits of full-spectrum CBD.