CBD oil is a natural way to help your well-being as well as effectively combating your aches, stress and other daily discomforts.
How can a few drops of oil from a plant have such diverse and beneficial effects on the body? Of course, they are not magic, but they can be tremendously effective and more and more people are turning to CBD to help with many common health complaints.
CBD has become one of the best known and most attention-grabbing cannabinoids of the cannabis plant. In this article, we’ll look closer at what CBD is, how to choose a CBD oil and many of its benefits.
This list will not be exhaustive, so you can research online to find out more. There are many scientific papers looking at the benefits of CBD and numerous informational websites such as this one here.
CBD oil: properties and benefits
CBD oil, or cannabidiol, is an extract of cannabinoids from cannabis. Cannabinoids are compounds found in the cannabis plant and they have many benefits for our health. Cannabis oil has been used for medical purposes since ancient times, but it has only recently gained popularity as a treatment for certain conditions, such as cancer and epilepsy.
More and more studies show the efficacy of CBD in medicinal use. Its main properties include anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and analgesic (anti-pain) effects.
The FDA has not approved CBD as a medication which means that it cannot be prescribed to patients by physicians. However, there is a lot of evidence that the use of CBD is safe and well-tolerated.
Cannabidiol acts on the central and peripheral nervous system, which regulates functions such as sleep, digestion, and the endocrine system. This is why it can both alleviate the symptoms of chronic inflammation and help you sleep better. Ultimately, CBD oil helps you find your balance point and reconnect with your body’s natural rhythm.
How to choose your CBD oil
If you are starting in the world of CBD, it is natural that you have doubts. There are many types and brands to choose from. As you try to experiment with different strengths and brands, you will discover which one best suits your situation and routine. Being a 100% natural product, the effect can vary from one person to another, making it a very personal experience. Different extraction methods, different strengths and different applications all work differently for each person. It can be hard to know where to begin.
To choose between all the many options you have on the market, there are some characteristics that you have to know about CBD oils. Here are a few pointers to get you started:
- Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oil: in cannabis, there are more than a hundred different types of cannabinoids (including CBD) and other compounds such as terpenes — those responsible for the aroma — and flavonoids. The full spectrum CBD maintains the natural composition of the plant with all the original chemical components (including THC, which is always less than 0.2%, which avoids the “high” effect). Broad-spectrum extraction involves more significant manipulation to eliminate 100% of the traces of THC. Some people find full-spectrum CBD oil to be the most effective.
- Carrier oil: many types of carrier oils allow the body to absorb CBD better. The composition and properties of each one may vary slightly, but there are no studies that show the greater efficacy of some over others. Some of the most common are usually MCT, coconut, sunflower or hemp, although you can find many other varieties. In addition, the flavour and aroma can vary depending on the type of carrier oil. Unrefined coconut MCT oil is largely considered one of the best carrier oils around.
- Concentration: The percentage of CBD in oil can range from 2% to 40%. If you are just starting, we recommend that you try one with a low concentration. Then, as you feel more comfortable and notice the desired effects of CBD on your body, you can choose different doses or concentrations depending on your specific needs. The higher concentrations do get quite pricey, which is also why it’s better to start low and find the best strength for yourself so you don’t spend more than you need to on a too high concentration.
- Type of extraction: This is the process through which the cannabinoid is extracted from the plant. Extracting CBD is an expensive and time-consuming process. This process often requires a large number of steps and can involve toxic solvents like butane, hexane, propane, acetone and alcohol. The extraction process is very important because it determines the quality of CBD oil. There are two main extraction processes: CO2 extraction or ethanol extraction. CO2 extraction uses carbon dioxide to extract CBD from the plant material. Ethanol extractions use ethanol to extract the CBD from the plant material. The CO2 method generally produces better quality oils than ethanol, but it takes more time per batch, which makes it more expensive per unit of product produced. However, the most used in the industry is CO2 extraction because it is the purest.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many options when it comes to using CBD oil. Not all CBD oils are created equal. It is important to make sure you’re using a quality product that has reputable studies done by an independent laboratory. Brands you can trust will show you documentation of the quality tests or will provide it if you ask.
INteresting read!
Very interesting, thank you! I’d like to try it, but I need to get some advice first; it sounds very promising, though.
Really interesting article. Really need to look into to this as it will be good to try a CBD oil out.