The CBD industry continues to flourish three years after hemp and its derivatives were legalized in the United States. Today, you can find the great cannabinoid in almost everything, from gummies and beverages to lip gloss and lotion. But why do people take CBD oil?
The potential therapeutic benefits are just some of the reasons contributing to the popularity of CBD. Its devotees claim that it may help manage some of the most common health problems without the severe side effects that some of the common treatments cause.
With the opioid crisis effects being felt across the globe, people are now turning to natural alternatives that are effective and non-addictive. CBD is on top of the list as a natural compound derived from the industrial hemp plant. But does it work? And if it does, what are people using CBD for?
Is CBD the panacea most people think it is? Does it have any health and wellness benefits? In this article, we look at what CBD is and why people take it.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol in full, is one of the 100-plus cannabinoids that occur naturally in the hemp/cannabis plant. CBD is the second most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis, the most common being THC – the compound responsible for the high feeling in marijuana.
In hemp, which is a legal variety of cannabis, CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid. The 2018 Farm Bill only allows industrial hemp to have less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol by dry weight.
Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive; thus, it won’t get you high or have an intoxicating effect. This makes it an excellent candidate for alternative, natural medicinal purposes.
Why Take CBD? The Wellness Benefits of Cannabidiol
According to a 2019 survey by Gallup, at least one in seven Americans use cannabidiol products. And that was one year after hemp became legal. The numbers are likely way higher now, considering the increase in research and information about the cannabinoid.
However, the purpose of this article is to find an answer to why people take CBD oil. The 2019 survey by Gallup found that 40% of CBD consumers use it for pain relief, 20% use it for anxiety, 11% for insomnia, and 8% for arthritis-related symptoms. Here is a deep dive into why you should take CBD.
6 Ways CBD May Benefit You
1. It may relieve pain
The CDC estimates 20.4% or 50 million US adults suffer from chronic pain. While pain is a natural sensation that stops us from further damaging our bodies and lets us know when something is wrong, pain is something that those 50 million-plus Americans can’t wait to kiss goodbye.
Why not just use painkillers, you ask. Well, those over-the-counter and opioid painkillers may be effective for a short time, but when taken for a long time, i.e., for chronic pain, patients may develop a dependency or, even worse, addiction. Not to mention other adverse side effects.
CBD oil can help tackle this pain without causing addiction or other adverse side effects associated with conventional treatments. But does it work?
Several studies have demonstrated CBD’s pain-relieving properties. However, note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved CBD-based products as a treatment for pain. People use it for pain and inflammation relief, soothe post-exercise aches, or manage hard-to-treat pain from conditions such as arthritis.
2. CBD for anxiety
Many people take CBD to calm their anxiety. Some studies also suggest that cannabidiol is effective for anxiety disorders. One 2015 study shows CBD’s potential for the treatment of excessive fears and anxiety in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The study examined evidence from preclinical and clinical studies on CBD. The study also notes that CBD has minimal sedative effects, other side effects and has an excellent safety profile. Another study published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry found that CBD significantly reduced anxiety during a simulated public speaking test.
3. To improve sleep
CBD shows promise as a sleep aid. Several research studies suggest that CBD may be the key to improving sleep naturally. One study published in The Permanente Journal investigating CBD benefits for anxiety and sleep found that CBD improved sleep scores in the first month of treatment in 48 out of 72 patients (66.7%). However, the quality of sleep fluctuated over time.
CBD may help improve sleep in several ways. One, it may tackle the root cause of your insomnia if it’s caused by pain, anxiety, or inflammation. CBD may also help improve sleep by helping you relax and calm your thoughts, perfect conditions for falling asleep.
4. For post-workout recovery
People are now using topical CBD to speed up muscle recovery after exercise. By applying cannabidiol to sore muscles, they reduce the inflammation caused by workout strain. If you don’t want to be limping around after a grueling workout, you may want to apply CBD.
For better results, use this CBD roll-on for pain and inflammation from Go Botanicals, which combines CBD with cooling menthol Go Botanicals is a trusted and reliable source of premium hemp-based CBD products, from ingestible CBD, topicals, to pet products. All our products are backed by a certificate of analysis (COA) from reputable third-party labs.
5. Epilepsy/Seizures
In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, an oral cannabidiol solution to treat seizures associated with two severe forms of epilepsy, Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. Epidiolex is the first ( and up to now, the only) CBD drug to be approved by the FDA.
Researchers are now starting to understand how CBD may help prevent seizures and its long-term effects. It is important to note that although people use CBD products for seizures, only one CBD-based drug has been approved by the FDA.
6. To quit smoking/drug withdrawal
CBD may help reduce cravings in people trying to quit cigarettes and other drug addictions. One study published in 2018 found that CBD may be a promising smoking cessation treatment because of its anti-anxiety properties and minimal side effects.
Another review of studies also found evidence that CBD may be beneficial in treating opioid-dependent individuals. More research on CBD’s use in managing withdrawal symptoms is still needed.
Three Of The Best CBD Oil Products People Are Using
1. Go Botanicals Natural Hemp Tincture
This potent formula delivers 25mg premium CBD isolate per serving. It comes in a 30ml bottle with 1500mg total CBD. It is also equipped with a marked dropper for easier dosing.
This tincture is available in the mild and mellow flavor of natural hemp. You can enjoy it by adding a few drops to your morning coffee, under your tongue, or add it to your favorite recipes. Buy one today and enjoy the benefits of CBD all day long.
2. Go Botanicals Acaí Berry CBD Oil Tincture
Experience the sweet and tart flavor of our Acaí Berry tincture. This CBD oil is inspired by the popular superfood and is packed with 1500mg of premium CBD isolate per bottle. This works out to 25mg per serving.
Blend it with your favorite smoothie for a blast of natural goodness, or take it sublingually to supercharge your day. Buy this tincture today!
3. Go Botanicals Island Citrus CBD Oil Tincture
This delectable vanilla and citrus combination is just what you need to find your spot on the island of wellness. Delivering 12.5mg CBD per serving, this tincture is designed to help beginners start and enjoy the benefits of CBD.
This delicious tincture can be taken under the tongue or added to your favorite recipes for a blast of natural hemp goodness. Get yours today!
Getting Started with CBD
There are a lot of reasons why people take CBD. From managing pain and inflammation to improving sleep, there is strong scientific evidence that cannabidiol may have some health benefits. There are also a lot of ways to experience it. You can take CBD under your tongue, as an edible, drink it, or apply it on your skin.
CBD has been studied for its potential role in easing many health issues. But whatever benefit you may want to use it for, remember that not all CBD is created equal. To get great results, you should choose products from a reputable company that is third-party tested. For high-quality CBD products, check out our menu of all American-made CBD products, including CBD gummies, CBD oil, CBD topicals, and pet products.
