Whether you decide to take CBD drops, capsules or edibles, nowadays, there is real hype about CBD and its promising health benefits. It is commonly used for various purposes and conditions, from pain and anxiety to lack of sleep and skin issues, among many others.

Despite its growing popularity, there are also many misconceptions. What’s more, many people do not understand what it is and what benefits it may offer for its users. Let’s try to understand all the issues and find out what is true and what is fiction.

From History

Although CBD may be a new term for you, it has been around for a long time. The very first reported case of using CBD occurred around 2727 BC when the Chinese emperor Sheng Neng used cannabis-based tea to cope with various diseases.

In the 1970s, after the adoption of the law on controlled substances, marijuana became difficult to access for many fields of study, for doctors, scientists and any other people.

The law established some groups in which certain substances were listed on the basis of their potential properties, benefits, as well as abuse and health hazards. Marijuana fell into the first group – the most limited in use.

After a while, CBD began to gain momentum as an anaesthetic, even without any side effects that are usually associated with THC. In 1998, British pharmaceutical company GW Pharmaceuticals began conducting official medical trials to learn more about CBD’s capabilities.

This was the first step that they began to take around the world. Thus began international research in this area. After success in the first experiments, Israeli researcher Rafael Meshulam began to uncover the chemistry that underlies the many cannabinoids, namely, how to isolate individual cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, from the plant itself.

This allowed for additional research. Meshulam received many international awards for his achievements, which helped bring CBD to a new international level. Thanks to him and his work, trials began to appear that clarified the benefits of using CBD in medicine and beyond.

On a small scale, the cultivation of crops and products with a low THC content and a high CBD content has begun.

In addition, evidence has emerged of how useful CBD can be in treating many disorders and diseases.

With the development of technology and the world as a whole, CBD began to use entire families to treat chronic diseases. People became interested in the tests and, over time, CBD became a popular remedy for many ailments around the world.

So, What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active, chemical substance that refers to a class called “cannabinoids” found within cannabis Sativa plants. It is thought to interact with receptors of the cell-signalling endocannabinoid system to provide various positive effects.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another component also found in hemp plants, is psychoactive and responsible for the state of the narcotic effect. Thus, CBD is not a psychoactive substance; moreover, it carries a lot of therapeutic benefits.

The content of THC in such a product does not exceed the statutory limit of 0.2 – 0.3%. For example, to obtain a mild narcotic effect, you need to use about 6-9 litres of hemp oil at a time!

There is some controversy surrounding hemp products, such as CBD oil, over the use of marijuana to create drugs. But also, there’s a growing awareness of the benefits of CBD oil for health.

Benefits Of Using CBD

A scientific experiment was conducted in which cases of anxiety were recorded monthly, and data were collected on the quality of sleep in 103 adult patients. The study evaluated sleep and anxiety using proven agents and after treating the same symptoms with CBD.

The results of this experiment were impressive. The final sample consisted of 72 adults with anxiety or poor sleep problems. After using CBD oil, anxiety attacks lowered during the first month of the study in 57 patients (79.2%) and remained so over the study period. Also, sleep indicators improved in 48 patients (66.7%) during the first month but changed slightly during the observation. What’s more, CBD was well tolerated in all subjects except for 3 participants.

Also, in a study of the properties of CBD done on humans, it was found that a combination of CBD and THC is effective in treating pain caused by multiple sclerosis and arthritis. While research in this area is still relatively new, some of them have already shown promising results.

An oral spray called Sativex, which contains a combination of THC and CBD, has been approved in numerous countries for the treatment of pain associated with multiple sclerosis.

One study involved 47 people with multiple sclerosis. During the experiment, they felt a decrease in pain during walking and muscle cramps. At the same time, this study did not include a control group, and it is important to know that no one ruled out the placebo effect.

For example, several other studies have shown that CBD treatment has improved the quality of life and sleep quality of people with Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, animal and test-tube studies have shown that CBD can also reduce inflammation and help prevent neurodegeneration caused by Alzheimer’s disease. It is crucial to note that some people in these studies experienced adverse reactions associated with treatment that used CBD, such as fever, cramps and fatigue.

The Question Of Legality

Currently, CBD is legal in many countries, so despite some confusion around it, it will not be detected on a drug test. Legalised countries include Argentina, the USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Uruguay and the United Kingdom.

Even though in the UK, almost all cannabinoids are treated by the law on drug abuse (1971), CBD is not. In the UK, CBD is legal as long as it does not contain more than 0.2% of THC. Bulgaria was the first EU country to permit the sale of CBD infused products, and at the moment, the UK is also the leader in mass sales of CBD in popular healthcare networks Holland & Barrett. All CBD products are sold legally in accordance with strict rules and regulations.

Side Effects

Everything we take to relieve pain, reduce unpleasant symptoms or lift our spirit can have side effects, and CBD is no exception. Despite the fact that not a single case has been reported where CBD had a strong toxic effect on the body, according to some researchers, it is worth paying attention to some side effects after using CBD oil. They include:

• Changes in appetite;
• Diarrhoea;
• Dizziness and drowsiness;
• Dry mouth;
• Nausea and anxiety;
• Bloating and vomiting.

All of the above symptoms are usually mild and depend on the used dose of CBD oil. They also usually disappear within 2-4 hours; however, if any of these symptoms occur, you should consult your doctor.