CBD oil refers to oil that’s extracted from cannabidiol (CBD), one of the medically beneficial chemicals found in cannabis. Although the cannabis plant contains hundreds of compounds, CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most popular ones.
Both CBD and THC are famous for their powerful healing properties. However, the compounds differ significantly in how they interact with your system.
CBD is best known for being non-psychoactive. In other words, the substance doesn’t induce euphoria. That explains its popularity as a medicinal as opposed to a recreational drug.
On the other hand, THC is both psychoactive and intoxicating. THC can also produce an array of psychedelic effects, such as hallucinations, in addition to its therapeutic properties.
This post shall focus on the benefits of CBD oil and how to use the oil for maximum effects.
How Is CBD Oil Extracted?
There are various ways to extract cannabidiol oil, including using solvent extraction and carbon dioxide.
Marijuana experts generally recommend CBD oil that’s extracted by the Carbon Dioxide Method. This method utilizes supercritical carbon dioxide to separate cannabidiol from the cannabis material.
The primary reason experts recommend the CO2 method is that CBD obtained this way tends to contain fewer impurities, making it more potent. Also, the CO2 method doesn’t result in the production of toxic by-products. Plus, the method is relatively safe as it doesn’t use flammable solvents.
How to Consume CBD Oil
Cannabidiol products are mostly available in the form of oil tinctures intended for oral administration. To consume these tinctures, you spray a few drops underneath your tongue and hold for a few seconds before swallowing.
In addition to tinctures, you can also consider smoking dried cannabis extracts or vaping Cannabidiol-infused oils.
Like sublingual sprays, you are smoking, and vaping come with a relatively fast onset time and high absorption rate. However, vaping is generally safer than smoking since no combustion occurs, hence no heat production. The absence of heat production reduces the likelihood of inhaling potentially-toxic compounds. But as you shall find, you can only enjoy the benefits of vaping CBD oil if you invest in high-quality products. Besides buying CBD vape pens from online dispensaries, also be sure to purchase lab-tested vape juices. You can also go for CBD flower without thc for this purpose.
Other common ways to consume cannabidiol include the topical application of CBD-enriched skincare products and the oral administration of CBD edibles.
Topicals are recommended for treating localized problems, such as joint inflammation. Edibles are perfect for stealth users as they allow you to consume cannabidiol without drawing undue attention to yourself.
The Medical Benefits of CBD Oil
For many years since cannabidiol was isolated from the cannabis plant in the 1940s, the compound was mostly used to treat pain.
Like most other diseases, CBD treats pain by interacting positively with the body’s endocannabinoid system. When consumed, the substance boosts your endocannabinoid system through a complex mechanism that results in pain mediation.
Numerous studies have shown that CBD can activate certain receptors associated with pain perception. Another way CBD might treat pain is by boosting anandamide signaling. Anandamide is a famous neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating pain perception.
Besides pain management, the following are other medical benefits of cannabidiol oil;
1. Relieving stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety are the two most common mental problems that you can manage using cannabidiol oil.
CBD oil enhances certain neurotransmitters signaling in your endocannabinoid system associated with happiness and positivity when consumed. One such chemical is serotonin.
It’s worth noting that low serotonin levels have been observed among people with anxiety and depression. So, by increasing your body’s access to serotonin, CBD oil goes a long way in relieving these conditions.
2. Aiding sleep
CBD oil is a renowned sedative. Administering the compound right before going to bed can shorten sleep onset time.
CBD oil can aid your sleep by increasing sleep duration through its ability to shorten rapid eye movement (REM) rest. A shorter REM sleep translates to fewer dreams, and ultimately more restful sleep.
People with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) can also benefit immensely from CBD oil. RBD is a sleep disorder where someone unconsciously acts out their sleep.
3. Enhancing sexual performance
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years as an aphrodisiac. As it turns out, the vast majority of marijuana’s aphrodisiac properties come from cannabidiol.
CBD oil is a potent vasodilator. As such, it can increase the flow of oxygenated blood and nutrients to your sexual organs, resulting in stronger and longer erections.
CBD’s anti-anxiety properties might also boost your sex life in reducing performance anxiety and increasing the intimacy between sexual partners.
4. Optimizing your workouts
We’ve already highlighted that cannabidiol oil contains powerful analgesic properties. These properties can come in handy in terms of relieving exercise-induced muscle pain.
Cannabidiol has especially been cited for its ability to relieve delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS refers to grueling pain and soreness in muscles following periods of rigorous exercise.
But that’s not all. CBD also contains anti-inflammatory properties, which might help to alleviate workout-induced inflammation.
5. Relieving fatigue
This is one area where you can benefit immensely from CBD products that also contain significant THC levels.
THC is highly stimulating at low doses. The substance interacts with the brain’s reward pathways in a manner that induces euphoria while also increasing your energy levels.
But THC can also trigger intoxication, especially if administered alone. That’s where CBD oil comes in. CBD modulates the effects of THC, ensuring that you stay energized without slipping into a state of intoxication.
Cannabidiol oil comes with an array of health benefits. Another thing to love about CBD oil is that there are numerous ways to administer the compound. Plus, CBD won’t get you high.
However, experts recommend going slow on cannabidiol oil, especially if you’re a new user. Although the oil is generally non-psychoactive and won’t get you high, an overdose might induce specific unpleasant side effects, such as nausea and drowsiness.
Reference Links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1575333/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24845114?dopt=Abstract/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221/
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