Cannabidiol is a substance that is derived from the hemp plant. It is now more popularly known as CBD and is being utilized as a health supplement and an active ingredient of some mainstream medications.

Closely associated with Cannabis, CBD’s unique selling proposition is its being non-psychoactive. Unlike cannabis, which can affect give a “high,” CBD does not leave the user feeling stoned. It does not also promote dependency and can heal addiction.

History of CBD

CBD has been discovered in the 1940s when chemist Roger Adams accidentally isolated Cannabidiol. As an organic chemist, Adams was trying to isolate substances that can be found in Cannabis Sativa, and have unknowingly discovered the CBD Compound. In 1946, Dr. Walter Loewe tested CBD on animals as a part of his comprehensive study on Cannabidiol.

About 20 years later, another organic chemist managed to isolate the CBD Compound. Israel-born chemist Raphael Mechoulam studied Cannabidiol, described its chemical structure, and found out more about the compound. One of his discoveries is that CBD is a non-psychoactive substance that could have medical applications.

Around the 1960s, CBD Oil has been released in Great Britain for therapeutic use. The tinctures are being used in England for various medical conditions. It got introduced meanwhile in the United States after the condition of an epileptic child improved with the intake of CBD. Upon getting recognized in the United States, On CBD oil Vs Topical Creams, CBD gained popularity even more. Apart from being used as a symptom reliever for a various medical condition, some used it as an additive to boost energy and concentration.

In June 2018, the US Federal Drug Administration legitimized CBD’s role in modern medicine following its approval of Epidiolex. Epidiolex is a medication for children with grave epileptic syndromes such as the Lennox- Gastaut and the Dravet syndrome.

Presently, CBD is being used for other medical conditions and is being used as a supplement to enhance wellness.

What is CBD used for?

CBD has a handful of health and wellness benefits. The medical community has already legitimized some of its health benefits, specifically its therapeutic effects on epileptic patients. Research work is currently on-going to verify other medical benefits of Cannabidiol. Avid users of the supplement though have been raving about the positive health impact that CBD has on them.

Here are the various uses of CBD:

1. As a Pharmaceutical Drug for treating epileptic syndromes like the Dravett Syndrome and the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. CBD is an active ingredient of this medicine that helps reduce, or even totally prevent the seizures epileptic children experience.

2. Cannabidiol is an effective supplement that can help with sleep problems. People who have insomnia can benefit from regular use of CBD. Studies show that the insomniacs and anxiety patients have better sleep patterns following the intake of Cannabidiol. CBD helps patients to fall asleep and stay asleep until they have been fully rested. Other over-the-counter sleep medications may be useful in helping people with sleep problems to fall asleep. These supplements, however, cannot encourage continuous sleeping as the patient may still rouse after a couple of hours. Once awake, the patient will again have a hard time falling back asleep. This is not the case with CBD, which helps in achieving total rest and rejuvenation for an insomniac.

3. CBD is a chronic pain reliever. A growing number of chronic pain patients that have tried Cannabidiol raved about its pain-relieving properties. CBD can be ingested or applied to the skin where the pain is being felt. A study published by the European Journal of Pain has confirmed that CBD oil indeed helps in lowering inflammation and in minimizing pain.

Specific chronic conditions where CBD oil can help include rheumatism, arthritis, and even cancer-related pain.

4. Cannabidiol can help improve the quality of life of terminally-ill patients. Since CBD heightens a person’s pain threshold and reduces inflammation, it can alleviate the day-to-day pain-related symptoms of individuals with terminal illnesses. For instance, Multiple Sclerosis patients have reported feeling better, with fewer pain sensations while walking.

5. CBD helps with anxiety and other mental illnesses. Cannabidiol can help relieve the worries of anxiety patients by tapping the body’s endocannabinoid system. The abovementioned system helps regulate a person’s mood and is associated with the ability to relax.

Anxiety patients report that upon use, CBD calms them down, and could even help them sleep. Cannabidiol can also help with depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Studies are also underway concerning Cannabidiol’s positive effect on patients with Schizophrenia.

6. Cannabidiol can help with acne. Users reported clearer skin and complexion following the use of CBD. Cannabidiol in lotion or cream form also reportedly helps with skin asthma.

7. Research work is currently underway on the effects of Cannabidiol on digestive problems, specifically Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. It is also said to help patients with Crohn’s disease.

Forms of CBD

CBD can be ingested in various ways. There are even food-based, and coffee-based CBD products offered in the market. The main ways to ingest CBD though is through the capsule, tinctures or oils, sprays, candy or gummy edibles, and through vaping. Topical applications are also available in the market as it can help with other skin issues and dermatological ailments. CBD-based lotions and creams are being sold in the market to help with acne and skin asthma.

Tinctures and CBD Vapors are said to be the fastest-acting form of CBD. Experts, however, caution about dosing. They insist one should consult first with his doctor when deciding to use SBD as a supplement or medication. As in any herbal supplement, it is best to start with the lowest dose possible. The effect should be observed for up to a week, and then the dose should be adjusted accordingly.

The initial dose is usually at 10 milligrams. If the desired effect is not achieved with the initial treatment after one week, then another 10mg should be added on the dosage for the following week. Patients should watch out for possible side effects from ingesting too high a dosage. For instance, when Diarrhea occurs, it could be possible that the adjusted dosage is too high for the body to tolerate. Other users say journaling their observations helped much in achieving the right dose to relieve their symptoms.