Cannabidiol can help relieve anxiety, insomnia and pain – and it won’t get you high

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Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural remedy for many health complaints, such as anxiety, insomnia and pain.

While CBD has become popular in recent years, some people are worried about getting high from it. After all, it does come from cannabis.

But the truth is, CBD won't get you high.

What is CBD?

CBD is an active component of cannabis, the same plant species that marijuana belongs to. CBD products contain little to no delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical that produces a euphoric effect often called a "high."

CBD is one of over 100 natural compounds called cannabinoids that come from the Cannabis sativa plant, also called marijuana or hemp plant.

THC, on the other hand, is known for its psychoactive effects. THC can make you feel the high that's often associated with smoking marijuana, but CBD does not.

CBD can help you feel more relaxed and calm and less anxious. It may also help you fall asleep. CBD has the soothing qualities of THC, but minus the high or "stoned" side effect.

Benefits of different types of CBD

CBD comes in different forms, but all have similar effects with slight differences.

Capsules and pills

CBD capsules and pills can help with issues like digestive problems, sleep deprivation and seizure disorders. These are taken like other kinds of prescription pills.

The main difference between a pill and an oil is that the former takes longer to be absorbed by your body, meaning you may not feel the effects as quickly.

Creams, lotions and salves

Some CBD-infused lotions and creams can help relieve muscle and joint pain. Others can benefit people with skin problems like acne or eczema. CBD is also used in some skincare products.

The effects of CBD creams, lotions and salves will be localized since you aren't ingesting them like other products.

Edibles

CBD gummies are popular, but you can also buy CBD candy, chocolates, cookies, beer and wine.

Oils and tinctures

Oils infused with CBD are popular because they're easy to use. These products also get absorbed into your body quickly so you feel the effects quickly.

CBD oils are often placed under your tongue using a dropper. Try oils if you don't want to take pills.

Vaping

The fastest way to experience the effects of CBD is to inhale vaporized CBD oil with an e-cigarette. Vaping CBD oil sends it into your bloodstream, meaning it’s absorbed quickly.

Note that the safety of vaping is being questioned, so check with your physician if you're considering the use of CBD with an e-cig.

CBD vs. THC

Both CBD and THC affect the cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1) in your brain, but they have opposite effects. THC binds with those receptors, activating them and producing a feeling of euphoria or a "high."

Meanwhile, CBD barely binds to CB1 receptors. It can even block any high from happening at all.

Data on CBD is relatively new, but research suggests that CBD is relaxing and calming. Taking CBD can help minimize inflammation and pain, it may help you sleep better and it can also help with symptoms of anxiety and depression.

CBD is considered safe and is generally well-tolerated. However, some people may react differently to it. CBD has some possible side effects, such as:

Changes in appetite and weight

Diarrhea

Dizziness

Dry mouth

Fatigue

Mild nausea

It can also interact with some medications, so consult with your physician before trying CBD.

Smoking or ingesting THC can make you feel high. Some of the possible short-term side effects of THC include:

Coordination issues

Dry mouth

Increased heart rate

Memory loss

Red eyes

Slower reaction times

The high from THC can make you feel amused, creative, euphoric, focused, giggly, hungry, relaxed and more sensitive to what you smell, taste, touch, see and hear.

Health benefits of CBD

Here are some of the potential benefits of CBD:

It can help relieve anxiety and depression

CBD oil is a promising treatment for people with anxiety and depression who don't want to use pharmaceutical drugs. According to studies, taking specific doses of CBD are very effective at reducing anxiety before a test.

In a 2016 study, scientists found that CBD oil can be safely used to relieve anxiety and insomnia in children experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In a 2018 review of studies, researchers reported that CBD can also have anti-stress effects. Meaning, it can help reduce depression that's related to stress.

It can help with insomnia

In a 2019 study, results showed that 66.7 percent of participants reported better sleep after taking CBD.

While researchers have yet to fully understand why CBD might help people sleep better, it's possible that it can promote better sleep quality since it can relieve anxiety, depression and stress.

It can help ease pain and inflammation

Animal studies suggest that CBD may reduce chronic pain by minimizing inflammation. CBD could also ease pain from surgical incisions and sciatic nerve pain.

It can help relieve cancer-related symptoms

CBD may help ease some cancer-related pain and side effects of chemotherapy like nausea and vomiting. According to studies, volunteers reported a significant reduction in pain when THC and CBD are combined in this type of use.

It can help boost heart health

According to a 2017 study, CBD might benefit the heart and circulatory system by lowering high blood pressure, in turn preventing health problems like stroke, heart attack and metabolic syndrome. Experts believe this is because CBD can relieve stress and anxiety, which then helps lower blood pressure.

It can help with seizures and neurological disorders

More research is needed, but CBD can help relieve symptoms related to epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

Data suggests the use of CBD oil helped reduce seizure activity in children and young adults.

In 2018, the FDA approved a CBD product called Epidiolex to treat two seizure disorders: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Tips for buying CBD

Be careful when buying CBD. Only choose good quality CBD and buy from a trustworthy brand.

When you’re looking for CBD oil, choose full-spectrum instead of an isolate. Full-spectrum CBD oils include different cannabinoids and original compounds found in the hemp plant, which can increase the benefits of CBD.

Beneficial compounds in full-spectrum CBD oils include chlorophyll, fatty acids, fiber, flavonoids, proteins and terpenes.

Since most CBD products haven't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they may not be accurately labeled. A trusted company will be transparent about its lab results from third-party testing.

Is CBD legal?

If you want to try CBD in the U.S., you can do so because it's legal in all 50 states – thanks to the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 bill. (Related: Bill protects affordable CBD.)

The bill removed hemp and cannabis containing less than 0.3 percent THC from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. This means CBD was made legal across the country, as long as it contains less than 0.3 percent THC.

Before buying CBD products, always check the specific laws in your state regarding CBD. There may be slight differences you should be aware of, especially when it comes to the ingredients in CBD products.

Buy CBD products from trustworthy companies and use them in moderation to relieve anxiety or sleep disorders.

Watch this video to learn more about CBD.

This video is from the channel My Fit Life on Brighteon.com.