CBD is one of many Phyto cannabinoids produced in the cannabis plant. Since CBD is not psychoactive, it does not change a person’s state of mind after using it. However, this cannabinoid may produce significant changes in the body, showing highly potential medical benefits.
Now, if you are new, you may be wondering- what is CBD oil? How it’s made? And what benefit does it offer? This article will answer it along with how CBD oil works, different CBD extraction methods – everything you need to know. We also discuss CBD oil strengths, health benefits and possible side effects of CBD oil that you should know beforehand.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is produced by extracting CBD from a cannabis or hemp plant. In other terms, CBD oil is an extract of Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. It is made by diluting CBD with a base (carrier) oil, like coconut oil or hemp seed oil. It’s usually supplied in a bottle called a hemp oil tincture and is available in various doses.
A World Health Organization (WHO) report suggests that naturally-occurring CBD is safe and well-tolerated in humans. It also mentioned that there is no evidence of any public health-related problems stemming from the use of pure CBD.
How Does CBD Oil Work?
After consuming CBD oil, CBD enters directly into the bloodstream. So, how CBD oil works generally depend on how CBD functions in the body. Researchers have a strong belief that CBD can act on the endocannabinoid system. They think CBD interacts with receptors in the central nervous system, and some evidence indicates a calming effect brought on by CBD. It can also work as an anti-inflammatory and may create pain-relieving effects.
Clinical research has identified two cannabinoid receptors, namely CB1 and CB2 – one in the brain and the other in the immune system cells. CB1 receptors are found in the spinal cord’s central nervous system- brain and nerves- coordinating movement, emotion, pain, mood, thinking, memories, appetite, and other functions. CB2 receptors are seen on immune cells in the peripheral nervous system. CBD can bind with these receptors to produce various effects and help in various health issues like reducing nausea symptoms. But their exact mechanism of working remains unknown.
How is CBD Oil Made?
Treating anxiety, reducing pain and inflammation, and helping prevent seizures, are some of CBD’s common benefits. The risk or side effects of CBD are very few because it’s a natural extract. The efficacy and purity of CBD, the quality of the final product and its safety for consumption largely depend on its extraction method.
There are different CBD extraction methods, but all extraction methods are not the same, safe and secure.
That’s why it is crucial to know how CBD is extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant and turned into CBD oil while mixing it with various types of carrier oils such as MCT, Hemp Seed Oil etc. Following are the three most popular CBD extraction methods which are widely used for making the best CBD oil in the current market:
- A CO2 extraction
- Oil Extractions
- A liquid solvent extraction
CBD Oil Strengths
There are dozens of CBD manufacturers offering oils in at least two or three different potencies or concentrations. These potencies are called CBD oil strengths. There are mainly Low-strength CBD oil (300 mg), Mid-strength CBD oil (600 mg), and High-strength CBD oil (1000 mg) available in the marketplace.
Different persons need different strength CBD oils. Which concentration you choose depends on your health issues and body factors. Learn well about CBD oil strengths and choose the one that suits your needs.
Health Benefits of CBD Oil
As a natural extract, CBD oil may offer many different health benefits. According to a 2018 study, people take CBD oil to treat various conditions, including:
- chronic pain
- anxiety and depression
- epilepsy and other seizure disorders
- arthritis or joint pain
- sleep disorder
- migraine
- cluster and other headaches
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- nausea
- allergies or asthma
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
- lung conditions
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
Side Effects of CBD Oil
CBD oil usually has rare chances of posing risks or side effects on its users. However, clinical research shows that CBD oil may have side effects. But the severity and type can vary from person to person.
Some possible adverse effects may include:
- liver damage
- changes in alertness, dangerous for driving
- gastrointestinal problems and loss of appetite
- mood changes, including irritability and irritation
- Some other common side effects:
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea or vomiting
Note- if you have liver disease, you must consult your doctor before taking CBD oil and use it with caution. Check blood liver enzyme levels regularly. While pregnant or breastfeeding, don’t take CBD oil anyhow.
Final Thoughts
With time, interest in CBD as a therapy for various conditions is growing. Yet, only one CBD product has FDA approval currently. And, unapproved products having less than 0.3% THC are legal in some but not in all states.
More research on the potential health benefits of CBD oil is ongoing. So new therapeutic uses for this natural remedy are not so far to be discovered.
Though there is much yet to be learned about the efficacy and safety of CBD oil, recent studies suggest from results that CBD may provide a safe, powerful natural remedy or effective treatment for many health issues.