What started as a highly demonized substance is now widely popular. Cannabis and its extracts are now promoted for physiological and psychological wellness. While CBD research and studies are still underway, many manufacturers, retailers, and even the medical field state that the “CBD cure” is real and can assist with a multitude of health problems.
Problems ranging from anxiety to zoster, and beyond! So, the question is, what’s real and what’s hype? Continue reading to learn what we discovered.
What is Cannabidiol?
“CBD” is an abbreviation that stands for the word “cannabidiol”. This is pulled from the popular hemp plant, which is best known for being the “cousin” of the famous marijuana plant.
Yes, CBD is considered to be a type of component to marijuana, it does not produce the same type of state of euphoria or “high” that stems from marijuana usage.
When pure CBD is utilized, it will not result in effects that are indicative or becoming abused or dependent.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been no indications that pure CBD is harmful to the public or causes any health-related issues. The WHO also states that the evidence is only “pre-clinical”.
This means that most CBD research and CBD studies have not involved the use of a large amount of people. As more studies are done, more knowledge will be obtained.
CBD Is Not “Natural”, As Many Believe
Most individuals that have an interest in CBD find it intriguing because they believe that the CBD cure is “natural”.
This is all hype.
In fact, scientists and those that specialize in pharmacology all agree that CBD is – in fact – a chemical. It is similar to other pharmaceutical products.
To date, though, practitioners, retailers, and others that are part of the “wellness” movement claim that CBD products are “natural”, considered to be an “alternative” therapy, and/or are “organic”.
These claims are also hype.
It is misleading and it has the potential to result in perceptions that are not only inaccurate but potentially harmful.
The Impact of Misleading Marketing
While it is true that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a prescription drug containing CBD for rare and extremely severe types of epilepsy, it has not approved any other type of CBD product for any other type of health problem.
It is unknown if CBD can treat certain diseases, proper dosing measurements are not established, and it is not yet established if CBD products have the ability to negatively interact with other medications and/or certain foods.
Additionally, the question of potentially dangerous side effects and whether or not CBD poses safety concerns still stands.
This deceptive marketing has the potential to keep patients from seeking established, reputable, and effective therapies for the conditions in which they suffer. This is the most significant impact of misleading marketing.
What is the FDA Currently Doing in Regards to CBD?
The Federal Drug Administration has its own CBD research and CBD studies in progress to determine if there is such thing as a “CBD cure”. Right now, the main focus is the safety involved when one utilizes CBD. The following outlines the current focuses of the FDA as it pertains to CBD:
- First, the organization is researching the effects that could stem from using CBD on the body. One area of focus is the potential for toxicity to occur in the liver. When reviewing Epidiolex – the medication that contains pure CBD for seizure disorders – it was determined that there was a risk for liver complications; however, when taken under medical supervision, they can be managed.
- It is researching the effects associated with CBD on different populations. Examples include teenagers, pregnant women, those that are lactating, kids, and the elderly.
- CBD research includes the effects of different infused products – such as drops, oils, creams – and what happens during different periods of time the products are used.
- The CBD studies include the safety of products containing CBD on different types of animals.
Current Safety Concerns
There are many different side effects that are stated to occur with CBD usage. To date, the following has been identified; however, you should remember that the CBD studies and the CBD research are in its earliest stages. This list may be reduced or even expand in the future:
- Changes in the Appetite
- Increased Levels of Sleepiness/Fatigue
- Fluctuations in the Weight
- Gastrointestinal Complications, Such as Diarrhea
- Nausea
In certain CBD studies, the substance seems to be related to the occurrence of certain types of rare events. These have included low counts in blood platelets within the body, the onset of infections involving the respiratory system, and unusual or unexpected changes of the enzymes within the liver.
Pharmaceutical studies indicate that there is a potential for CBD inhibiting the way that the body is capable of metabolizing certain types of medications. This results in the drug processing times lengthening and higher than average levels of those medications within the blood.
Other products that have the same effect include grapefruit, Goldenseal, and the ever-popular St. John’s Wort.
f you take any over-the-counter or prescription medications, it is advised that you only use CBD products under the supervision of your doctor to ensure that the product is not adversely reacting with your medications.
In most instances, CBD dosing may be adjusted to reduce any impact on the metabolization process of other medications.
The Formulation Approved By the FDA
As mentioned previously, there is a cannabidiol that is approved by the Federal Drug Administration for a seizure disorder. This is associated with the syndromes called “Dravet” and “Lennox-Gastaut”. It is called “Epidiolex” and is appropriate for patients that are two years or age or older.
The formulation that makes up this medication is created using a CBD substance that has been highly purified. The mechanism of effectiveness is not known, but it delivers promising results to patients. This formulation was approved on June 25th, 2018.
IS CBD Considered a Dietary Supplement?
In recent years, many manufacturers and retailers have dubbed CBD as a “dietary supplement”; however, according to the Federal Drug Administration, any THC or CBD products must be excluded from the list of products identified as “dietary supplements”.
However, certain components of the cannabis plant that fail to contain either CBD or THC may be able to be marketed as dietary-based supplements. These components must adhere and/or comply with all the laws, rules, and regulations that have governance over dietary supplements.
Are CBD Products Safe for Animals?
There are currently products available on the market that include CBD and are marketed for the health and wellness of animals.
While the Federal Drug Administration has not yet deemed these products safe or effective, pet owners are encouraged to speak with their veterinarian about treatments for pets for certain conditions.
It is possible for pets who are exposed to CBD to experience adverse reactions. These may include fatigue, drooling, vomiting, tremors, behavior changes, and convulsions; however, the Federal Drug Administration has not received any reports of adverse reactions.
The potential for the reactions has only been noted in other types of scientific papers.
Is There Any Evidence of a CBD Cure for Various Conditions?
CBD studies and CBD research has indicated that pure CBD is effective against childhood epilepsy syndromes.
There was a study listed within the publication called European Journal of Pain that found that CBD seems to be effective for both pain and inflammation throughout the body.
While it is true that more research is needed, this seems promising.
Additionally, because of its interaction with the receptors within the brain, CBD products seem to be a productive choice for individuals that suffer from mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
If you have any of these conditions, you may consult with a doctor to determine if CBD is an optimal choice for you.
In Conclusion
There is a lot of hype surrounding CBD products. It is simply because of the fact that CBD research and CBD studies are still in the earliest stages. For the most part, CBD seems to be a promising, non-addictive approach to health and wellness. This is especially true among those that suffer from pain, inflammation, and certain types of mental health conditions.
When opting for CBD products, they should only be obtained from reputable dealers. This is due to the fact that CBD is not yet regulated by the Federal Drug Administration.
If you purchase from a reputable dealer in CBD, the products will have a higher level of purity and will be safer. Remember, start off slow and work your way up.
For more information on CBD research and the CBD cures that are said to be in place, you may contact us today.