What is CBD oil anyway ?

Yep, it is time to talk about it. Everyone is asking about and it seems no one has all the answers.

THE BASICS:

Information, claims, and debates about CBD oil have infiltrated the internet over the past decade and the tide continues to rise. Consumers are confused, and practitioners are pressured to take a position on the claims and concerns surrounding this compound. Is it safe? How is it different from marijuana? Is it psychoactive? Will it fuel drug addictions? Are there ethical concerns? Is it a medical breakthrough? Is it legal? Before making a logical decision regarding which side of the fence to land on, a basic understanding of CBD oil, its claims and its concerns, are in line. “Just the facts, ma’am” is what we will explore here.

What is CBD Oil? CBD is cannabidiol – a cannabinoid compound extracted from the cannabis plant. Various Cannabis species supply over 100 cannabinoids but medicine has focused primarily on either tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD).Cannabis Sativa L. is a taller and more narrow species, relatively low in THC (approximately 0.3%) but rich in CBD, which is harvested from the seeds and stalk fibers. This species is traditionally known as hemp.Cannabis Indica is short and densely populated with broad leaves. This species is often referred to as marijuana since it contains up to 30% of the psychoactive cannabinoid, THC, which can be harvested from its flowering tops. Cannabis Indica contains very little CBD, which is considered to be an antagonist to the psychotropic effects of THC.

What are the Claims?

Interest in cannabinoids has surged in the last 20 years for their pharmacological effects on the neurological system and especially, as possible modulators of pain, inflammation, addiction, mood and psychosis, mental health disorders, and most recently, cancer.

CBD has been cited as an effective therapy in the management of various inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, CBD seems to offer hope for managing pain and inflammation that is resistant to other therapies. From neuropathic pain associated with multiple sclerosis, cancer, and diabetes, to chronic pain associated with inflammatory conditions, CBD offers a solution. However, it is important to also be informed about the controversies that swirl around the use of CBD because of its close relative, THC (widely known as “medical marijuana”), which also seems to offer some clinical benefits and especially when combined with its antagonist, CBD.