What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis, a plant with an ancient history of therapeutic medicine. Today, the benefits of CBD are being discovered by researchers and consumers around the world.
CBD oil has been found to have a wide range of health benefits, especially for people (and pets) suffering from ailments such as anxiety, seizures, cancer, pain, and more.
Where Does CBD Oil Come From?
“It all starts with farming” says Jeff Felber, CEO of TheCBDDepartment along with his co-CEO and wife, Grace. TheCBDDepartment is a one stop shop for quality products and education that people need to make informed choices. Jeff and Grace have studied quality and recognize it in a brand. They promise that each product they receive is third-party lab tested to verify its cannabinoid potency, THC levels, and more before being added to their portfolio of CBD products.” The team builds relationships with vetted brands to offer you what they consider the best on the market. To get that high level of quality in a CBD product, they start by understanding the plants.
The Cannabis plant has two main species, hemp and marijuana. Hemp has a very low or non-existent (less than 0.3%) level of THC compared to marijuana. CBD does not produce the same psychoactive effects (or “Entourage Effect”) as THC. CBD can provide health benefits but will generally not get a person “high”.
Different Types of CBD Oil: Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs CBD Isolate
Cannabidiol oil is regarded as the most popular CBD product. The primary types of CBD oil are full spectrum CBD, CBD isolate, and broad spectrum CBD, both offering benefits to our endocannabinoid systems.
Full spectrum CBD oil undergoes a whole plant hemp extraction process that keeps over 100+ cannabinoids, compounds, and terpenes intact, including even trace amounts of THC. This process results in full-spectrum CBD oil that preserves the most beneficial elements of CBD.
Broad Spectrum CBD oil undergoes a whole plant hemp extraction process that keeps over 100+ cannabinoids, compounds, and terpenes intact, but EXCLUDES traces of THC. Check out The CBD Department’s variety of full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD Isolate products here.
CBD isolate is a pure form of CBD, containing CBD only and none of the terpenes and elements that full-spectrum oil contains. It’s often produced with MCT oil as a base for easier consumption. CBD isolate products contain 99% or more pure cannabidiol.
Broad spectrum CBD oil and CBD isolate products are good for people with sensitivity or aversion to THC as well as CBD beginners. Full spectrum is a good treatment match for people who seek a complete, more widely encompassing CBD experience.
CBD Oil and the Endocannabinoid System
Every person naturally has an endocannabinoid system in their body that plays a critical role in managing a wide spectrum of day-to-day physiological processes (including mood, energy, immune activity, blood pressure, stress, metabolism, pain experience, and more). Our endocannabinoid system responds to CBD, allowing CBD to naturally interact with our bodies.
CBD may provide relief to some individuals and can possibly serve as an alternative to treatments with harsher side effects.
How Do I Use CBD Oil and Other Infused Products?
CBD comes in many forms, designed for different benefits and personal preferences.
CBD is used in the form of edibles, topicals, skin care, vapes, and more. The CBD Department offers the full spectrum of products to browse and understand what’s right for you. Browse our hand-picked CBD products here.
Recommended dosage varies among each individual and depends on health and wellness goals, body weight, product types and concentration. Each person is different. TheCBDDepartment recommends starting with a low dose (10-20) and gradually increasing your dose by 5mg until you reach your optimal dosing level and schedule. Some CBD users take CBD oil drops once daily, some take doses throughout the day, and some, of course, use CBD in forms other than oil (topicals, edibles, vapes, and more).
In finding the therapeutic dosage of CBD for you, consistency is key. Your body optimizes the cannabinoids (full, broad, or pure isolate) better as you take it consistently. That results in greater therapeutic success in treating any ailments.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
CBD products sourced from industrial hemp are legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% of THC, as stated in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Brands that are legitimate ensure that their CBD products are 3rd party lab tested, grown clean, and follow federal guidelines.
Possible Side-Effects of CBD Oil:
Clinical research indicates that CBD can potentially trigger side effects in users. Side-effects vary per individual in severity. Common CBD side-effects include:
- Changes in Appetite
- Anxiety
- Mood Disturbances
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Additional side effects
Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding should avoid taking CBD oil. People with liver disease should also consult a doctor and exercise caution, as CBD may increase liver enzymes.
What are the Benefits of CBD Oil?
Reasons for taking CBD oil include: chronic pain, arthritis or joint pain, anxiety and depression, sleep disorders, epilepsy, seizures, migraine, cluster headaches, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nausea, cancer, allergies or asthma, multiple sclerosis (MS), lung conditions, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, among others.
These are the Top 6 Benefits of CBD Oil:
1. Anxiety, Stress Relief, and Depression
Research has found that CBD may help you manage anxiety and panic attacks. The mechanism is still being researched, but some findings show that CBD oil may change the way your brain responds to serotonin, known as the “happy chemical”. Low serotonin levels are often linked to depression.
Studies show that CBD can help improve mental health by:
- decreasing physiological effects of stress, including increased heart rate
- improving sleep for people suffering from insomnia
- relieving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
One study even showed that just a 600mg dose of CBD actually helped people suffering from social anxiety give a speech. The study found that “pretreatment with CBD significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment and discomfort in their speech performance”.
A 2019 animal study showed that CBD may have a benefit over traditional anti-depressants due to CBD’s speed of effect.
2. CBD Oil for Pain Relief
CBD oil may help reduce inflammation and manage your pain, including:
- Nerve pain
- Chronic pain
- Muscle pain
- Arthritis
- MS pain
- Pain from spinal cord injuries
- Migraines
- Cluster and other headaches
According to researchers, CBD can reduce nerve pain by binding to glycine receptors in the brain. These receptors manage the speed with which signals pass between the body’s nerve cells. CBD gel has also been found to reduce arthritis inflammation and pain.
3. CBD Oil for Neurodegenerative Disorders
Researchers are exploring the benefits of CBD for people with neurodegenerative disorders such as:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Strokes
- Multiple Sclerosis
A specific receptor may be at play, known as CB1, and CBD oil may reduce inflammation that intensifies and worsens neurodegenerative symptoms. Researchers are exploring a specific receptor known as CB1 that may potentially play a role in improving symptoms of brain and neurological diseases.
4. CBD Oil for Seizures and Epilepsy
CBD is being researched as a possible treatment for epilepsy. The American Epilepsy Society states that CBD research can offer hope for those living with seizure disorders. While research is still in early phases, studies are promising. In a 2016 study, participants treated with CBD experienced 36.5% less seizures per month. Adverse effects were recorded in patients as well, as side effects are being better understood.
5. CBD Oil for Cancer and Oncological Treatment
The National Cancer Institute says that CBD may alleviate cancer symptoms and cancer treatment side effects. CBD may have the ability to reduce inflammation and change the way cells reproduce, and researchers continue to explore the role of CBD in cancer prevention.
6. CBD Oil for Acne
As we learned, CBD can impact the immune system by reducing inflammation in the body. CBD oil may also offer therapeutic benefits for people with acne. A human study found that CBD oil can prevent activity in the sebacious glands. The sebacious glands are responsible for producing sebum, an oily hydrating substance that can result in acne if too much is present.
Each person is different, so make sure to check with your dermatologist if you have any questions about using CBD oil for your skin and its potential benefits and side effects. Check out the different types of CBD topical products for yourself here.
Summary
As more people begin to use CBD and interest in the health benefits of CBD oil grows, researchers continue to discover new health benefits of CBD and more states are legalizing use. For now, you can always ask a healthcare professional for advice about which CBD product to use and how much CBD to take.
The list of potential benefits of CBD oil for people suffering from physical and mental ailments is long. CBD covers a wide spectrum of therapeutic uses including depression, anxiety, pain relief, seizure disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and neurological symptoms, cancer and oncological treatment relief, skincare benefits, and more.
The CBD Department takes pride in working with brands of the highest quality and assurances and providing you with the best information and products we truly believe in. We are hands-on, from the farms until you receive your products in your hands, and for support at any step of your journey. If you need help finding the right product for you, you can find us here.