The Complete Beginner’s Guide to CBD Oil

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What Is CBD Oil?

To explain what CBD oil is, we should first discuss the meaning of CBD. The scientific term for CBD, is Cannabidiol. It’s one of over a hundred naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.

The chemical structure of CBD is similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You may have heard of THC before. It's responsible for the “high” felt when smoking marijuana.

But, when taking CBD oil you won’t experience any psychoactive effects.

CBD and THC don’t have the same effect on the brain and body’s receptors, which is why the effects of consumption differ.

In fact, when the high or intoxication from THC is too strong, CBD can help lessen the psychoactive effects. This is a large advantage that CBD has over THC. Many people want the therapeutic benefit without having to get high.

So, how is CBD oil made exactly?

The process involves the extraction of the cannabidiol compound from flowers and buds of the cannabis plant. From there, the cannabidiol extract gets added to a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil.

The therapeutic contents of CBD are more readily absorbed into your body when mixed with a carrier oil. From there, you have a few methods of consumption.

You can take CBD oil through the following methods:

Ingestion
Sublingual (applied under the tongue)
Topical
Inhalation (by vaporizing)

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The human body receives benefit from CBD via the endocannabinoid system. Just like the various systems in our body, the endocannabinoid system also has its own function and role.

Discovered in the 1980’s, the ECS works to maintain homeostasis, or balance, in the body. It does this by regulating the body’s immune-system responses, pain response and sleep function.

Our body produces some endocannabinoids on its own. They are mostly found in our brain, glands, organs, and immune system. To get the most from cannabinoids, our body looks for the active cannabinoid receptors, referred to as CB1 and CB2.

Although CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, many are in the brain and nervous system. These receptors are responsible for:

Movement and coordination
Thought processes
Emotions and mood
Appetite
Pain relief
Memories

CB2 receptors are more present in our immune and gastrointestinal systems. They affect inflammation and pain management.

It has only been a few decades since the discovery of the ECS. Yet, scientists already regard the ECS as a regulator for overall health.

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The therapeutic contents of CBD are more readily absorbed into your body when mixed with a carrier oil.

Taking CBD oil is one method of ensuring our bodies have the necessary levels of cannabinoids for optimal well-being.

Because of the growing interest in CBD, many scientists are conducting studies to learn more about it. To date, may of the studies prove CBD is a safe and non-addictive substance that has several therapeutic benefits.

We’ll cover the benefits of taking CBD oil in detail now.

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What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil?

As the research continues to unfold, so do the number of benefits linked to CBD.

One of the first forms of scientific evidence on CBD benefits came in the form of a United States Patent. US Patent: 6630507B1, published in 2003, provided evidence that:

“Cannabinoids (CBD) have been found to have antioxidant properties. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants.”

In this section of the article, we will explore the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of CBD, as indicated by the US Patent.

And we will also discuss CBD’s other benefits and those who can seek relief from its use.

Reduction of Anxiety Symptoms

According to two different studies, findings proved that CBD has anxiolytic properties. The anxiolytic-like effects of CBD can help decrease a person’s vulnerability to stress.

Furthermore, anxiolytic properties can reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder (SAD). These are two of the most common types of anxiety disorders that affect people in the United States.

So, if you suffer from stress or one of these disorders, taking CBD oil can be very beneficial.

A separate study examined the effects CBD had on anxiety resulting from public speaking. Scientists chose to study this particular fear because it’s a contributing factor for the onset of social anxiety disorder. The conclusion of this study was positive.

SAD patients who took CBD oil before their presentation felt a reduction in anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort.

Even more, scientists observed a large improvement in negative self-evaluation. When administered CBD oil, this trait associated with public speaking, almost completely vanished.

Addiction Treatment

Over the last decade, studies have found many pharmacological and clinical properties of CBD that can potentially alleviate adverse effects related to addiction.

Furthermore, a scientific journal published by Neurotherapeutics found that “CBD’s anxiolytic properties and minimal adverse side effects also support its potential viability as a treatment option for a variety of symptoms associated with drug addiction.”

People suffering from drug addiction symptoms, can experience the following benefits when taking CBD oil:

Reduction of pleasure induced feelings
Inhibited drug seeking activity
Reduction of anxiety from withdrawal
Decreased sensitivity when using other drugs

Epilepsy and Seizures Relief

Evidence has demonstrated that CBD contains anticonvulsant properties.

With this finding, the US Food and Drug Administration approved CBD oil for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. These are severe forms of epilepsy that commonly affect children.

The New England Journal of Medicine performed a study in 2017 on the efficacy of CBD on patients with Dravet syndrome. Here are the summarized details and results of their examination.

Besides taking CBD, patients also took their standard seizure medications.

Percent of patients who experienced at least a 50% reduction in convulsive-seizure frequency:

43% with cannabidiol (CBD)
27% with placebo

The frequency in which all types of seizures occurred significantly reduced when taking CBD. But, there was no significant reduction in non-convulsive seizures.

Of the total number of patients, 5% became seizure-free with CBD. None became seizure-free with placebo.

Another study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine examined the effects of CBD on Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Details and findings of this study are as follows:

A total of 225 patients were enrolled in the study.
76 patients were in the 20-mg cannabidiol group
73 patients were in the 10-mg cannabidiol group and
76 patients were in the placebo group

Over the course of the study, the median reduction in seizure frequency by group was:

41.9% in the 20-mg cannabidiol group
37.2% in the 10-mg cannabidiol group
17.2% in the placebo group

CBD is also a supplemental treatment for refractory epilepsy. This type of epilepsy is non-responsive to medicine. Said another way, seizures are not controllable when administered medication.

Nausea Relief

Cannabis has helped many people suffering from nausea caused by acute and chronic illnesses. Now research provides an explanation for its efficacy. When the CB1 receptor is activated, nausea and vomiting become suppressed.

Science has revealed another reason for the anti-nausea effects of CBD. The chemical compounds in CBD indirectly activate the somatodendritic 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors in the brain stem.

Both these activations help treat difficult forms of nausea, including chemotherapy-induced nausea.

Improvements with Neurodegenerative Disorders

As the US Patent and other well‐documented evidence indicates, CBD has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. These properties have encouraged researchers to test its effects against neurodegenerative disorders.

Inflammation is one of the leading causes for many neurodegenerative disorders. As such, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD are of high importance for researchers.

As it now stands, CBD has one of the highest potentials to bring therapeutic relief from these disorders.

According to a study from CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics, “important clinical trials have confirmed the potential pharmacological activity of CBD in the management of clinical symptoms and the slow‐down of the progression of a variety of pathologies, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and ALS.”

This evidence offers a solution to the suffering caused by neurodegenerative disorders.

Taking a CBD liquid tincture from Just CBD, for instance, can provide relief for yourself or a loved one who seeks well-being.

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What Are the Side Effects of CBD Oils?

In general, the safety profile of CBD oil in humans, confirmed by many studies, is favorable. The majority of studies conducted on the safety of CBD were for patients with epilepsy and psychotic disorders.

Patients of these studies reported some side effects. The most common of them were:

Tiredness
Diarrhea
Changes of appetite
Changes in weight

However, when compared with other drugs used in the treatment of these disorders, CBD oil had a better side effect profile. The benefits, as we have already discussed, seem to outweigh the potential side effects.

Most noteworthy are the properties that can promote and maintain health. The antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotection effects of CBD make it more effective than vitamin C and E for improving skin conditions such as acne.

To further explore the safety profile of CBD, a comprehensive review of 132 original studies was performed. The review noted that physiological markers, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature were not altered.

Similarly, psychological and psychomotor functions are not negatively affected when taking CBD oil. The same is true for gastrointestinal transit and food intake. The review also demonstrated that high doses of CBD oil, 1,500 mg per day, is well tolerated by humans.

Finally, a report from the World Health Organization, found that CBD “in humans… exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential….To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

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Legal Issues of CBD Oil

Before discussing the legal issues of CBD, it can help to make the following mental note.

CBD oil is either extracted from the marijuana or hemp plant.

This distinction plays a vital part in the legal status of CBD.

After addressing that point, let us go into depth on CBD’s legal issues. For many years, the law around hemp and CBD in particular, has not been clear.

Fortunately, that has changed with the passing of The Hemp Farming Act of 2018. On December 20, 2018, this act, also referred to as the 2018 Hemp Bill, became law.

By passing this Bill, hemp was officially removed from the list of controlled substances.

Under this Bill, hemp is defined as all parts of the Cannabis Sativa plant that doesn’t exceed 0.3% THC by dry weight. Furthermore, the 2018 Hemp Bill removes hemp-derived CBD from the scope of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

However, the Hemp Bill did not remove CBD derived from marijuana from its classification as a schedule I controlled substance under the CSA. Here is where the legal issues come into play.

So, that means hemp-derived CBD oil is now legal and available for sale over-the-counter or online from companies like Just CBD.

As for marijuana-derived CBD oil, it’s only legal in states with medical and recreational marijuana laws.

As of the date of this writing, 23 states have legalized medical marijuana for qualifying patients older than 21. And 10 states have legalized medical and recreational marijuana for adults older than 21. Not included in these figures is Washington D.C., which also has full legalization.

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For many years, the law around hemp and CBD in particular, has not been clear. Fortunately, that has changed with the passing of The Hemp Farming Act of 2018.

Here are the 23 states that legalized medical marijuana:

Arizona
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Louisiana
Maryland
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana

New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Utah
West Virginia

Here are the 10 states that legalized medical and recreational marijuana:

Alaska
California
Colorado
Maine
Massachusetts

Michigan
Nevada
Oregon
Vermont
Washington

There are only three states in the country where it’s illegal to buy cannabis of any kind. Yet, there is an exception to this law when the CBD product contains 0% THC.

Idaho
Nebraska
South Dakota

Because the law is always evolving, remember to do your own research before buying.

The remaining 14 states not yet discussed have their own laws on the legalities of CBD oil. If you’re a resident of one of these 14 states, find out what the local laws are before buying CBD.

One more thing to note. You must be at least 18 years old to buy CBD oil (derived from hemp). The age limit is different when buying CBD oil derived from marijuana. You have to be at least 21 years old and live in a state where medical or recreational marijuana is legal.

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Where Can You Buy CBD Oil?

There are many companies who sell their CBD products online. One such company is Just CBD. They can legally sell CBD oil to all 50 states because their hemp-derived CBD products contains 0% THC.

On their website you have access to lab reports confirming the efficacy of their CBD oils. These reports also confirm that their CBD products contain zero traces of THC.

Some of the most popular CBD products offered include (all of which can be found on the Just CBD website):

Tinctures
Gummies/edibles
Vapes
Creams
Pet treats

If you’re never used a CBD product, and want to start with a tincture, here’s how you can appropriately dose.

To start, place a few drops under your tongue for 15 seconds. The CBD oil will access the sublingual gland and thus absorb directly into your bloodstream for fast acting effects.

With any new herbal therapy, begin with a low dose before working your way towards a higher dose. This will allow your body to gradually adjust to the effects of CBD.

Many people taking CBD oil for the first time notice the effects immediately. Yet, experts have suggested that it can take a few weeks of consistent use before the full benefits occur.

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JustCBDStore FAQ

Things to Remember

Perform your own research when it comes to the legalities of CBD oil in your state.
Scientific studies have shown the therapeutic effects of CBD and deemed it safe for consumption.
Only mild side effects have been reported when taking CBD.
CBD oil and other CBD products do not induce psychoactive effects.
Research found that CBD has one of the highest potentials to bring therapeutic relief to people who suffer from neurological disorders.
When buying CBD products, verify the existence of lab tests and read through the results.
As with any herbal supplement, begin by taking low doses and gradually work your way up.

(If you're searching for ways to calm your mind and reduce anxiety, I recommend getting the book Declutter Your Mind. It contains research-backed actions that promote inner peace and lasting happiness.)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Allie Murphy is an avid traveler, seeker of the unknown, and lover of paperback books. She loves spending time with her beloved pup and fiancé. When she’s not practicing her sun salutations, she’s writing poetry and enjoying her favorite drink, masala chai.