One reason that it can be difficult to see the difference is that CBD hasn’t been used in a mainstream setting long enough for standardization to be established. It can take years for regulatory systems to be developed and the industry has not yet reached that point.

Luckily, however, there are a few points you can look to for answers.

Extraction Process

Before putting your trust in a CBD product, it is good to consider how the cannabidiol oil is extracted from the cannabis plant. There are several methods that manufacturers use to extract the oil, with some being much more rudimentary than others. Unfortunately, one of the most popular methods used by some of the lower end brands is a heavily involved process involving toxic components. This process comes with a slew of potential risks that buyers should be aware of. The CO2 extraction method is a much safer, yet highly technical process using sophisticated equipment. While this is one of the most sought after extraction methods used by higher quality CBD manufacturers, it is not something that should be attempted by an unskilled professional. However, the processes of ethyl-alcohol or olive oil extraction are relatively simple enough that one could safely and easily make their own CBD oil at home with proper instruction.

Consider the Source

It is also important to look at the source of the CBD. Naturally, the health of the plant will have a direct impact on the quality and effectiveness of the cannabidiols derived from that plant. Location is another key factor in the quality of the product. Hemp plants grown in the United States are generally most optimal, as the standards for farming, requirements for agricultural certification, and soil quality are much higher than in other countries. Since hemp plants are highly absorbent of anything and everything contained within the soil it is being grown in, US derived plants are much healthier, as the soil that farmers are required to grow their crops in are highly nutrient-dense and tend to contain lower levels of harmful chemicals and/or pesticides.

THC Content as an Indicator

Looking at the THC levels in the CBD oil is another way to see how well it was processed. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the component in marijuana that gives the user a ‘high’ or euphoric sensation. Manufacturers using the best methods will have very minimal amounts of THC in their CBD oil. The legal range for THC content is 0.3-0.5%, as these are low enough levels that there should be little to no psychoactive effects; anything over this range could also equate to a substandard product. The strain of the plant that CBD is being extracted from is also of great importance. Strains with a higher CBD content and lower THC levels are the most favorable.

Full Spectrum, Whole Plant, or Isolate

Another indicator of quality is how much of the plant is used for production. Traditionally, CBD oil has been extracted from the entire plant, but it is becoming more common these days to use only portions of the plant. CBD is most frequently extracted from hemp plants, while THC is more highly concentrated in the flower or ‘bud’ of a marijuana plant. The benefit of using the whole plant is that there are a host of other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes that work in conjunction with cannabidiols providing better results and effects. CBD oil products that use the entire plant as a source are labeled as ‘Full Spectrum’ or ‘Whole Plant’. Alternatively, if you’re in need of a product with little to no traces of THC due to legality or personal preference, then a ‘CBD Isolate’ would be the better choice, as it is derived solely from hemp plants and is usually 99% pure.

What’s in the Mix?

Checking the ingredients in your CBD oil is another way to ensure that you are getting the best quality product. If it contains a list of hard to read chemical ingredients, you should take this as a warning to steer clear. Nevertheless, there are some additives that can actually enhance the specific properties that you’re using CBD oils for. Just a couple of examples of these would be adding melatonin for aiding in sleep and vitamin B12 for increased pain relief. As a general rule, the most complimentary additives should be natural ingredients and not harsh chemicals or preservatives.

Types of CBD Oils

There are three well-known types of CBD oils, a fact which many users are unaware of. These are Raw, Decarboxylated, and Filtered. So, what are the differences and how do you tell them apart? Raw oils are generally darker in color, ranging from a very dark green to almost black. This is because once the CBD has been extracted from the plant, no further purification is conducted. This results in higher levels of chlorophyll, terpenes and plant matter contained in the oil. Decarboxylated oils are very similar in appearance and structure to raw oils, as they also range from a darker green to almost black color. However, these oils are put through a process called ‘decarboxylation’ which means that the plant is heated at low temperatures for several hours in order to reduce the acidity of both CBD and THC. Lastly, filtered oils – the most common among products on the market today – are much lighter due to being put through both the decarboxylation and filtering processes, resulting in a light golden color.

Consider the Science

Don’t forget to check the science. As with anything medical, the more information you have the better. Low-quality CBD oil manufacturers will often not provide any actual scientific proof that their oils are as pure and effective as they say they are. Trustworthy CBD products, on the other hand, will typically provide a Certificate of Analysis along with 3rd party lab results and other important information so that you can see what you are buying. These results often include any harmful contaminants that may have been found during the testing process. As we mentioned before, CBD oil used for medical purposes is still a bit young in the grand scheme of things. Because of the age of the industry, some reputable brands still don’t provide their lab results; however, it is becoming something that customers expect from their CBD manufacturers.

The Wrap Up

As you can see, there are many factors that go into creating a high-quality CBD product and sadly, there is a wide variety of low-quality, unsatisfactory products out there. This can make finding the right CBD oil seem like a daunting task, but luckily, there are also many high-caliber products on the market today. There are also lots of ways to be certain that you are choosing the best CBD oil for your needs, at the best quality – it just takes a bit of time and research, which you should come to find is worth it, in the end.

The post Understanding CBD Quality appeared first on CBD MEDS.

Where does CBD come from?

Cannabinoids are extracts of the cannabis plant. It is indeed the most abundant among the components of the plant, accounting for up to 40% of the extract. Additionally, other major components of the cannabis plant’s extract include tetrahydrocannabinol and terpenes. They all play a tremendous role in therapeutic management of quite a number of medical conditions. While THC is responsible for the ‘high’ effect people get from cannabis, CBD does not have any psychotropic effect. THC is majorly explored for its anti-epileptic attributes. Comparatively, CBD is well-known for its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Role of free radicals in ageing

Although CBD has a lot of therapeutic applications, its use as an anti-aging agent has gained a lot of attention lately. The ability of CBD anti-aging creams is made possible because of the anti-oxidant property of CBD. Usually, the body produces oxidants and free radicals as a by-product of inflammatory reactions.

Most of the reactions are carried out by the body’s immune system in response to foreign pathogens. Ironically, the immune system is also responsible for clearing out the free radicals generated while the fight against the pathogens is ongoing. Also, it is common knowledge that the skin is the most exposed to pathogens of all bodily organs.

Of course, these oxidants are toxic to skin cells, and this is why nature has put the immune system in place as a mechanism to mop them up. However, a lot of other natural interactions in the body can lead to an increase in the production of free radicals. In such situations, their quantity can become too high for the scavenging system to handle. This shows on the skin in the form of wrinkling, loss of radiance, and diminished elasticity. Too many oxidants also affect organs, muscles, ligaments and joints thereby manifesting as generalized body weakness. Unquestionably, these are the signs of aging!

The anti-aging effect of CBDs

Cells age whenever there is oxidative stress. As mentioned in the above section, this oxidative stress occurs in response to inflammatory reactions occurring within the body. The natural endogenous scavenging system is referred to as the endocannabinoid system. It composes two receptors, CB1 and CB2. The ability of cannabinoid to activate these receptors gives CBD anti-aging creams their unique anti-aging effect.

The potency of CBD as an anti-oxidant has been reported to surpass that of vitamin C and E. Its anti-oxidant effect has also been reported to be similar to that of butylated hydroxytoluene. However, CBD is rated higher than BHT as it is not associated with tumor promotion. This means that using topical CBD anti-aging creams has no chance of causing skin tumors, unlike BHT.

By preventing oxidative stress, CBD anti-aging creams will be able to prevent skin wrinkling in conditions where oxidative stress is expected to be especially problematic.

CBD is also effective in other conditions caused by excessive oxidative stress. Some of these conditions are closely associated with old age due to weakened scavenging system. Others develop earlier in life due to excessive build-up of free radicals. These conditions include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus type I and II, neuropathic pain, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Supporting evidence

Recently, awareness of the unique efficacy of CBD and THC has been on a steady rise. This has led to the legalization of their use as prescription drugs across many states in the US and beyond. Researchers have also seen the potential in CBD and efforts are being directed towards gaining more insight into how it can be fully utilized.

In some laboratory studies, CBD was shown to inhibit oxidative stress caused by endotoxins. It also inhibited the action of NADPH oxidase thereby enhancing the activity of the endogenous cannabinoids. These actions were recorded at very low concentrations of 1microMol.

In recent research, CBD was also noticed to reduce the actions of LPS. LPS is pro-inflammatory and its actions almost always lead to increased oxidant level. Similarly, CBD increases STAT3-related actions which are anti-inflammatory and therefore help prevent oxidant build-up.

Overall impression of CBD anti-aging creams

CBD’s anti-oxidant activity can hardly be compared with that of other anti-oxidants. What’s more, is that it does not have the adverse effects reported with the other agents commonly used for their anti-aging properties. This is mainly because only a little quantity of CBD is required for maximum efficacy and CBD use has not been linked to any serious side effects.

There is no doubt that CBD anti-aging creams are the best when it comes to the prevention and possible reversal of skin aging.

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Cannabinoids are chemical compounds, and cannabidiol is one of the active compounds (CBD). The goal of extraction is to isolate cannabidiol and leave other cannabinoids intact while ridding the finished product of psychoactive compounds (THC). There are a number of alleged health benefits to CBD, but keep in mind that research is still being conducted and results are unclear.

In popular literature, you’ll come across CO2 and ethanol extraction as the two most popular ways of isolating cannabidiol, but the extraction process of isolating CBD can be done in a number of ways. Ethanol is simply an organic solvent and can be swapped for other organic solvents. We’ll detail some of the more common CBD extractions, and reference a couple of methods that are still in test stages.

CO2 Extraction

“CO2 extraction” may sound like a scary and dangerous process, but remember, CO2 is just carbon-dioxide, the same substance used to produce carbonated water and soda! It is the same extractor sometimes used to remove caffeine from coffee beans.

The most popular extraction method for small batch CBD, CO2 extraction leverages temperature and pressure to extract cannabidiol. One of the larger companies in the CBD game, PotNetwork Holdings, uses a supercritical CO2 extraction to get the purest CBD. The process requires equipment and systems generally not suitable for the untrained.

Unlike organic solvents, CO2 acts as a solvent only at certain temperatures and pressures, allowing extractors a lot of control over the process. There are two ends of the spectrum in CO2 extraction, “supercritical” (which involves high temperature and pressure) and “subcritical” (involving low temperature and pressure).

When people say “supercritical CO2 extraction”, they are referring to the state of CO2 when pressure and temperature are used to put CO2 in a “supercritical” state halfway between a gas and liquid. The supercritical state is perfect for toxin-free extraction and isn’t dangerous. A “subcritical” CO2 extraction uses a low temperature and pressure to draw out CBD without damaging the plant.

In addition to super and sub-critical models, CO2 in a solid-state (dry ice) can also be used for extraction. It is the more difficult of the at-home distillation processes (go with olive oil if you’re going to try it yourself) but can be effective in small batches. To do it, you have to chop up cannabis and combine it in a bag with dry ice, shaking it to get the oils to mix with the CO2 and extract the CBD.

Pros:

• Generally produces a safer CBD, less toxin and flammability worries than ethanol and organic solvent solutions.
• Higher-quality CBD free of chlorophyll
• CO2 is a safe product used in food all the time

Cons:

• Difficult to master. Requires more equipment and training than organic solvent methods.
• More expensive than other CBD extraction methods.

Ethanol (And Other Organic Solvents)

The most popular and easiest way to extract CBD is to use an organic solvent. Ethanol is a popular CBD extraction technique, but it isn’t the only organic solvent that can be used for CBD extraction. Methanol, chloroform, butane, and hexane all also work as CBD extractants.

An article in Science Direct details recent research into CBD extraction using Ethanol. The study found that “the concentration of ethanol strongly affects the composition of obtained extracts.” The high ethanol concentration, 80% and 96%, obtained much purer extracts with high amounts of CBD. If ethanol is used to isolate CBD, the higher concentrations of ethanol will yield higher concentrations of CBD.

Using ethanol creates non-biodegradable waste and is not an eco-friendly process. Some companies are trying to change that, like Greenbelt resources and NCM Biotech’s attempt to create quality CBD with bioethanol that carries a lower carbon footprint and actually works better than organic ethanol extraction.

Pros

• Low cost of function
• Easy extraction process doesn’t require significant equipment or training

Cons

• Organic solvents can create nonbiodegradable waste
• Destroys certain plant waxes which have some of the alleged health benefits of CBD
• Flammability and toxicity pose problems for both the human extractors and the environment at large.

Water Vapor Extraction

Similar to CO2 extraction (in that it also leverages heat and pressure) is the patented thermal extraction process used by the company making CBD for your pets–Petabis. The company provides itself on offering full-spectrum CBD that includes the other medicinal compounds found in cannabinoids, removing only the psychoactive THC and leaving the rest of the plant intact. The process takes mere seconds instead of the hours required by CO2 extraction, and the process uses no chemical solvents. The process is also zero waste!

Pros:

• Zero-waste
• Time and energy-efficient process
• Produces a nutty, buttery-tasting CBD
• Full-spectrum extraction because it isolates and removes the psychoactive materials.

Cons:

• Well… done by a company making CBD for pets.

Olive Oil Extraction

The at-home equivalent of weed brownies, you can also cook your own CBD using regular old olive oil! It’s a safe process, requiring you to first heat the hemp product and then “cook” it in hot olive oil to draw out the chemicals. The product is pretty unstable and requires careful storage so it doesn’t perish.

Pros:

• You can make your own CBD!

Cons:

• Highly perishable
• Not the purest extraction
• Not great for larger batches

Dust Processing

When hemp is processed for fibre production, around 33% of the plant can be lost in processing as “dust.” This article from the journal Science Direct details some research that found supercritical fluids were effective for the extraction of waxes and CBD from hemp waste. The study found that Heptane Soxhlet was an effective extraction process for hemp dust.

Pros:

• Uses normally unusable parts of the hemp plant.

Cons:

• It would have to be used in conjunction with a more standard CBD extraction process.

Conclusion

CBD extraction is still in its early stages of research. The best methods will produce pure and quality CBD, leaving other cannabinoids intact (full spectrum), while not harming the people making it or harming the environment. Newer methods of pressure, temperature, and water vapor seem to be the most fruitful areas of research.

The post How CBD is Extracted appeared first on CBD MEDS.

Cannabinoids can be put into a wide variety of topical products such as patches, lotions, soaps, shampoos, massage oils, and much more. Since the human body is adept at absorbing CBDs transdermally, CBDs enter the affected area and begin to provide targeted relief more efficiently.

How do transdermal CBD products work?

Often overlooked is the fact that our skin is our largest organ. As the science continues to move forward on CBD use and the body’s ability to utilize it, researchers find new benefits from topical CBD use all the time. In fact, we now know that our skin has CB2 receptors near the skin. As a result, our skin can absorb CBDs in ways that our blood cannot. Intake is slower, but effects are also much longer lasting.

Whether you are interested in balms, lotions, hair care products, or patches, you can be sure that relief is possible without dosing your whole body. Keep in mind that effects will be gradual and can be hard to notice at first. In the beginning, use ample amounts of your chosen product and apply regularly until you find the relief you are looking for. Once you find the comfort levels you are looking for, you can slowly draw back the dose to a manageable level.

Speaking with a medical professional can help you decide how much and how often you should apply CBD topically. They can also help you understand which products are best for the condition that you are looking to find relief for.

When to use topical CBD products

As we already alluded to, topical CBD products do not pass through the digestive system since they are absorbed transdermally. Cannabinoids in topical products never make it directly into the bloodstream, either, as they are absorbed by the CB2 receptors in and near the skin. That means topical CBD treatments are best for local applications. Topical CBD products help with conditions related to the skin, muscles, and joints. If you are experiencing discomfort in any of the following areas, topical CBD use may be right for you.

Pain

CBD is probably best-known as a pain reliever. People experiencing all kinds of pain, be it acute, chronic, or simply aches and pains, can find relief in CBD treatments. Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects on joints and muscle tissue which help to reduce pain symptoms.

Sufferers from arthritis and other autoimmune disorders report a great deal of comfort after undergoing regular CBD therapy. There are many creams and salves available which can be rubbed into the skin over the affected joints, allowing the CBDs to ease tension. Athletes also commonly use CBD topicals to help with stiffness and soreness after training.

CBD products are quickly becoming the go-to choice for people looking for relief but are not thrilled at the prospect of taking more dangerous painkillers.

Injury

Injury is another common reason that people have for using CBD topicals. While they will not heal a fracture or torn ligament, the right product applied in the right way can make a significant difference in how the injury heals and how comfortable the person is while the injury is healing.

When used on the skin, CBD slowly absorbs into the skin where it does two crucial things. One is that the cannabinoids relieve the effects of the pain, and the other is that they reduce swelling and inflammation to keep the injury from getting worse.

The injury might be caused by reoccurring stress on a joint, like tennis elbow or runner’s knee. Or, it might be a pulled muscle, sprained ankle, or any other type of sudden damage. In any case, CBD lotions, salves, balms, and creams can certainly help with the pain. In cases where the injury is especially painful, patches are also available and they have become quite popular in the sporting world.

Skin

The skin, as mentioned previously, is our largest organ and there are many factors that go into its health. Our immune systems play a role in maintaining balanced skin chemistry, but there are other considerations as well.

Applying CBD oil directly to the skin, be it from hemp or cannabis, can help with a large number of things. CBD treatments have been successful with rashes and psoriasis, as well as rejuvenation and general maintenance.

Given that CBD is a natural inflammatory with antioxidant properties, it comes with a long list of benefits for your skin. Apart from making skin appear more youthful and healthier, CBD topicals can also reduce redness, sores, dryness and itchiness.

The most important thing to consider when looking the benefits of CBD oil for your skin care regimen is that well-balanced skin chemistry means inflammatory conditions like acne, as well as overactive oil production,  will lead to more radiant skin with fewer visible wrinkles and a more even tone.

Why CBD is a better alternative

CBD therapy is still relatively young in the grand scheme of things, but the results coming from medical research point to a whole host of benefits that CBDs have over their counterparts currently in use. Serious conditions like arthritis and joint injuries are treated with very strong medications. Anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids, for example, are responsible for a long list of dangerous side effects and they can also be highly addictive. CBD, on the other hand, provides relief without taking away from a user’s quality of life which is why more and more people are gravitating towards CBD treatments for such a wide range of conditions.

Are there side effects of using CBD on the skin?

In general, CBDs come with virtually no serious side effects. Patients sometimes report minor issues with certain dosages and delivery methods, but those are usually rectified through a change in the treatment approach.

Other CBD products, such as ingestible options, can suppress the cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) enzyme found in the liver. This enzyme plays an important role in metabolizing many other medications, and suppressing it leads to a reduced effect of those medications. Fortunately, topical CBD products do not interfere with the liver or any other medications.

One thing to keep in mind when looking at side effects from any type of topical, be it medicinal or otherwise, is how the ingredients of the product will interact with your body’s chemistry or any other medications that you are taking. Before using large amounts of any new product, it is always a good idea to make sure that you are not going to have an allergic reaction to it.

Are CBD topicals right for you?

Determining whether CBD treatment is right for you comes down to two main considerations. The first, and most obvious, is whether CBD is legal in your state. If not, you will have to check with your local laws to see if there is any way that you can safely try CBD therapy. The second thing that you’ll have to consider is what form of topical treatment would be best for your needs. Once you have decided on a product that suits your lifestyle, decide on a usage schedule and stick to it. Keep tabs on the effectiveness of the treatment that you are administering, so you can adjust frequency, potency, and quantities according to the results you experience.

The post Topical CBD Products – Soothe Your Aches and Pains appeared first on CBD MEDS.

Until recently, opinions about how to dose CBD have varied wildly from one medical practitioner to another. And, in fact, we can still see many different opinions within the industry. That said, there is plenty of agreement these days among top researchers concerning how to dose for certain conditions. As testing continues, the ‘common opinion’ may change a bit, but there is more than enough evidence to validate the current ‘best use’ philosophy.

While it is true that the jury is still out on a precise and well-documented dosage schedule for CBD products, the following suggestions can serve as a guideline to get you started.

Doctors Slow to Prescribe CBD

While things are looking up for the CBD industry and for patients approaching the cannabis plant for its health benefits, doctors are slow to prescribe CBDs over other more traditional medications. The reason? In short, it is because doctors do not have clear enough information yet regarding potency and frequency requirements. Approved medications have a recommended daily allowance, known as an RDA. The RDA comes as a result of thousands of studies and is accepted across the medical community.

CBD use in Western medicine is still very young and, as a result, doctors stick to giving recommendations rather than prescriptions. There is another factor limiting the widespread acceptance of CBD by medical doctors, and that is a general lack of knowledge.

Most doctors underwent their pharmacology training before their state legalized the use of medical marijuana which means many medical professionals simply aren’t familiar enough with the various applications of cannabinoid treatments available today.

Develop Your Own Dosage Schedule

Deciding how much to dose depends on several factors.

Firstly, you should look at the consensus to see what the vast majority of other users are taking. Currently, the common schedule for CBD dosage is around 25mg, twice a day. Though, that number varies quite a lot from condition to condition and from person to person.

Once you have established what others like you are taking, you’ll need to consider how CBD affects you personally. Everyone responds differently to CBD treatments, so starting with the recommended daily dosage and then adjusting accordingly is usually the best way to find a good dosage schedule.

The key, of course, is to find a perfect balance between cost-effectiveness and symptom relief. CBDs cause almost no negative side effects (more on that later) so it can be very easy to get excessive with your dosage schedule. While taking too little will result in not getting the relief you are looking for, amounts in excess of the relief you are after will go unnoticed.

Example dosages commonly accepted

Experts agree that there are some common dosages for CBD that work well for various conditions. As previously mentioned, there are numerous variables involved in determining an ideal dose. Consider the following as examples to give you a better idea about how much CBD you should be taking.

As we have discussed (internal link), there are receptors for CBD in every major system within the human body. That is why there is such a vast range of benefits from cannabinoid use. Reasons for taking CBD therapy include everything from cancer-related tumor reduction (internal link) to pain relief to sleep disorder relief and much more. An important thing to keep in mind is that finding an appropriate dosage depends largely on what exactly you are treating.

Cancer

Cancer patients often take 2-3mg of THC, along with up to 1mg of CBD per day to help with appetite loss and pain. It is also common to combine similar dosages of THC and CBD when used in concert with radiation therapy.

Glaucoma

For glaucoma, a single large dose often brings relief. Patients often take anywhere from 20-40mg, depending on individual need and severity of the condition. Dosing for glaucoma is generally taken sublingually.

Pain management

Pain management is one of the most common reasons people have for taking CBD products. Depending on the severity and source of the pain, doses can range from 2mg to 20mg daily. It is recommended to begin with smaller doses and move up slowly, at a rate of 25mg per day/ per week, until finding relief from pain.

Multiple sclerosis

For multiple sclerosis, patients use anywhere from 2mg to 120mg daily to find relief. Treatment for MS usually involves medication in spray form, and a combination of THC and CBD.

Epilepsy

Doses for epilepsy tend to be around 200-300mg daily. CBD for epilepsy is usually taken orally but can be taken in other forms as well.

Schizophrenia

For schizophrenia, doses ranging from around 40mg to 1,200mg are common. Again, the size of the dose is dependent on the severity of the condition and the effectiveness for particular patients.

Sleep disorders

Apart from pain management, one of the most common uses of CBD therapy is for sleep disorders. Those suffering from sleep-related problems commonly take from 30mg to 200mg.

Other Variables Affecting CBD Dosage

One reason that we suggest exploring your dosage CBD carefully is that choosing the ‘correct dose’ is never a black and white affair. Apart from metabolism, body weight, history of use, and the quality of the CBD product, there are cellular variables as well. In short, we have to look at the effectiveness of the endocannabinoid system to better understand how CBD dosage can change in different situations.

For the endocannabinoid system to function properly, the CB1 receptors that are responsible for processing CBDs have to work well. There are many chemicals which can affect CB1 receptors.

THC and alcohol to a limited extent have both been found to aid CBDs. Exercise also triggers a release of a chemical in our brains called anandamide which has a similar effect. CB1 receptors are also helped by an excess of Omega-3 so those who eat a fish-heavy diet would require lower doses of CBDs. On the other side of that coin, there are also things that reduce the effectiveness of CB1 receptors, such as morphine use and unchecked stress levels.

As you can see, the dosage that is right for you is dependent on much more than just how much you are taking.

CBD Products Available to You

If you are just coming into the world of CBD products, you might be surprised at how many different options there are. From creams, patches, and ointments to smokables to ingestible options you will certainly find a product that suits you.

The most common CBD products are ingestible. It is a simple process to combine CBD oil with food items, tinctures, gum, chewable tablets, candy, and much more.

When it comes to smokable options, CBD oil can be smoked in a vaporizer. There are also crystalline and wax-based smokables available.

For some, going with a lotion, patch, balm, or soap is the best option. Especially for anyone suffering from skin or hair conditions.

The list of product types is almost endless, with more showing up every day.

Which CBD Product Type is Right for You?

To understand which product CBD product type is right for you, it is important to consider your needs and preferences. Each product type represents a unique method of delivering CBDs into your system and comes with its own unique features.

Edibles

As previously mentioned, edibles are among the most common CBD product types. They are the easiest and most varied, as well. Apart from the sheer number of options available for edible CBD products and ease of use, ingesting CBDs gives you longer-lasting effects than any other method.

To put it to the numbers, you can expect effects from edibles within an hour of ingesting your CBD product and the effects will last up to four hours. This is also one of the easiest ways to control how much CBD you are using.

Smokables

There are also a lot of options related to smoking CBD products. Those interested in this method of delivery opt for smokables for their versatility as well as the fast-acting effects. Relief often comes almost immediately after smoking CBDs but doesn’t last as long as with ingestible options.

Effects of smoking CBD products are both instantaneous and short-lived. The convenience of this option help with their popularity, but continuous use is often necessary. Smokables also come with a sense of ritual and social interaction that other product types do not.

Topicals

Topicals are also popular options. Lotions, oils, soaps, and other CBD products are great for anyone looking for superficial relief and improvements in the chemistry of the hair and skin. Effects and relief from topicals take longer than with any other product type, but they are also some the longest lasting.

Products like transdermal patches can have effects lasting up to two days, which is more than any other option. While it can take several hours for the effects to kick in, patches are best for pain in the joins and deep muscle tissue. Other topicals are similarly slow to effect and long lasting but less so than patches. You can expect the effects of lotions, creams, balms, and soaps to last more than 4-5 hours.

Dosage Reminder

Whichever method of CBD treatment you deem best for your needs and lifestyle, remember that standard dosing is 25mg of CBDs, twice a day. Whether you choose edibles, smokables, or topicals, you should be aware of how much CBD is in each dose. After a few weeks at the commonly accepted effective dosage, you should either increase or decrease your intake based on how you feel.

Reasons to Consider CBD Treatment

Thanks to the endocannabinoid systems within the human body, CBDs assist with a vast range of conditions and symptoms. Ranging from physiological benefits to psychological, studies have shown that CBDs can greatly improve your life, no matter what you happen to be suffering from. Better still, is the fact that CBD treatment can also enrich your life when taken as a supplement as it helps balance brain chemistry, metabolism, and immune function.

The list of conditions that CBDs can help with is longer than most people think. In fact, it impressive to say the least. CBD offers relief for pain, inflammation, acne, depression and anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, and much more. Patients also use CBD products to help with symptoms coming from a range of conditions including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, and heart disease, to name but a few.

If you are suffering from any condition that CBD is known to help with, it is certainly worth considering how CBD can help you.

Worry-Free Treatment?

Many see CBD as a worry-free treatment, and in many ways, it is.  There have been numerous reports suggesting humans have very high tolerances to CBDs. Patients often take upwards of 1400mgs daily for extended periods and show very few undesirable side effects and no reported deaths from overdose. Medical practitioners and research specialists often attribute CBD’s compatibility with the human body to the existence and effectiveness of so many CBD receptors within our own systems.

Even with a product that has so few natural side effects, it is worth mentioning that some negative experiences occasionally surface. Taking CBDs at high levels for extended periods of time can lead to lowered blood pressure, dizziness, drowsiness, and dry mouth. Should any of these side effects come up during your CBD treatment, it would be a good idea to review your dosage and to speak with a medical professional.

Another reason to rest easy when it comes to CBD use is that it is non-addictive. There is no evidence of a chemical dependency forming from CBD use, and there are no withdrawals when people stop taking CBD treatments, no matter how long they have used them and how much they have taken. In fact, CBDs are being studied for their potential role in reducing the effects and withdrawals from other types of addiction.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that people get a lot of comfort from CBD use, and that comfort can be a bit addictive on an emotional level.

Final Thoughts

If you are considering CBD use for your treatment path, there are a lot of reasons to be happy. The low levels of risk and breadth of choices available make for a bit of a field day when it comes to selecting the right CBD product. The sheer number of conditions and ailments that can be relieved by CBD use is also impressive, to say the least. With product choices ranging from tinctures, oils, and creams, to pre-prepared shots and food items, there is truly something for everyone. While finding the perfect dosing schedule may seem a little tricky at first, a few weeks of observant use is generally all that is required to find the sweet spot between cost-effectiveness and symptom relief.

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People have used CBDs to treat a variety of medical conditions for ages. Thousands of years, in fact. Methods for using the cannabis plant for medicinal purposes has not always been the same. Some form of medical marijuana has always been a part of the human experience, however. Today, CBD manufacturers produce medicinal products that provide relief for a vast range of ailments. So many that people sometimes suspect an element of snake oil-like wizardry within the industry.

To be fair, there are far too many ‘treatments’ touted for fixing what ails us. Many of which have little to no bearing in reality. Are CBD products just another fad that is too good to be true? Are researchers able to confirm any of the claims connected to CBD use? You’ll be happy to know that the answer to both questions are favorable to CBDs and its proponents.

CBD Oils Showing Progress

Every day, more research surfaces suggesting that the health benefits and healing powers of CBD oils are real. More than confirming that CBDs are helpful, CBD research also shows that physicians can achieve measurable corrective results with CBD oils. That is, of course, fantastic news for anyone looking for a treatment path that aligns better with nature. Much of what modern western medicine often provides is off-putting for many people.

Why Does CBD Work?

The answer seems to lie in the relationship between cannabinoids (CBDs) found in both the cannabis plant and in the human body. CB1Rs and CB2Rs (cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors, respectively) are found throughout many systems in the human body. These receptors are responsible for receiving cannabinoids and play a crucial role for our health.

Both CB1Rs and CB2Rs, for example, assist in areas such as the brain, the nervous system, thyroid, bones, liver, and much more. Cannabinoid receptors are responsible for regulating the immune system. They also maintain chemical balances within the brain, and control pain, to name but a few. It is no wonder that researchers are looking into so many applications of CBD products.

The cannabis plant has more than 50 different cannabinoids. For health purposes, cannabidiol (CBD) is the most widely used, as it does not bring with it the same psychoactive effects that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is known for.

Case Studies showing benefits of CBDs

Recent medical data reveals surprising results from CBD use. Here, we will look at important case studies that provide anecdotal evidence of CBD health benefits.

Lung Cancer Tumor Halved in Just Three Months

First up, we have our inspiration for this report, hence the title of the article. Doctors tasked with the treatment of an 81-year-old patient with lung cancer have recently documented another possible use for CBD products.

Instead of opting for the standard treatment paths being offered by his doctors, the 81-year-old decided to go the CBD route to cure his cancer.

It is unclear who was more surprised by the results of the three-month treatment cycle of CBD use. Doctors were excited, though, to say the least. In such a short timeframe, doctors witnessed the patient’s lung cancer tumors shrink to nearly half their original size. That is surprising due to the fact that lung cancer tumors very rarely reduce. To make matters even more interesting, the patient’s cancer began to reverse, as well.

There are, of course, many things about a story like this that can get people excited. The thought that a cure for cancer is nearer than many expect is an obvious point of interest. As is the idea that researchers could potentially develop a treatment path for cancer that would prove to be far more affordable than anything else available today.

CBDs Used for Cancer Treatment

Another interesting aspect of this story is that it provides additional data to an ever-growing pool of similar findings around the world.

There is an increasingly common theme in the field of cancer research that the combination of CBD and THC (both cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant) can slow, stop, or even reverse the spread and growth of cancer cells and tumors.

One study, carried out at the University of London, shows such data. Researchers found that when THC, CBD, and radiation therapy are combined, the results are far more impressive than what any one of those elements can do on its own. The study goes into great detail as to how and why such an effective treatment takes place. To summarize, the endocannabinoid system within the human body can be stimulated to respond better to radiation therapy.

The list of anecdotal evidence goes on and on. Many may prefer to wait for the FDA to collect enough data to make a claim they can stand behind, but with so many promising stories it seems likely that many others will explore the healing properties of CBD products more regularly as we move forward.

Other medical applications for CBD Therapy

The applications for CBD use for cancer treatments is certainly exciting.  Doctors are also using the compound in many other ways, as well.

One area that researchers are applying their skills to is pain management. Migraine pain and its sources are one area of particular interest. Migraines are one of the most difficult types of headaches to treat because they have such a profound effect on the afflicted person. When asked, patients suffering from migraines often have difficulty in describing the pain accurately. That makes the work of singling out possible root causes for the headaches quite a challenge for medical practitioners.

Migraines result from a wide range of sources. Some sufferers get migraines from environmental factors while others from stress. Some from inflammatory diseases and others from the nervous system and hormonal actors. Medical professionals identify the cause of migraines on a case-by-case basis as a result.

The complexity that comes with migraines and the associated research makes coming up with a one-size-fits-all treatment plan incredibly difficult, because there is no way to universally treat an underlying cause that is different for everyone. As a result, most migraine medication is designed to target the symptoms. They often come with a long list of possible side effects.

Why Does it Work?

The wide range of possible causes of migraines is precisely what makes CBD treatment so interesting. As we already know, CBDs go hand-in-hand with the endocannabinoid system within the human body, and that system plays a major role in almost every vital system within the body. The logic is clear. By taking regular doses of pure CBD oil, patients support all the systems linked to the root of the migraine problem. CBD products are the closest thing that we have, in fact, to a migraine solution that makes sense.

Conclusion/Summary

When it comes to cancer treatments, modern medical science is still a ways away from coming to any conclusive answers. Cannabinoids are promising, but we can’t say that CBD oil is a tried and true cure for cancer. It is, however, difficult to ignore the large amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting a possibility that researchers are getting positive results with CBD applications.

The FDA is still years away from completing the volume of clinical trials necessary to make a sound recommendation. In fact, it takes years for medications of all kinds to finally be approved for widespread use. That said, we can still get many signs of progress from work being done worldwide.

If you are curious about how to utilize CBD oils as a part of your treatment program, speaking to your healthcare provider about success stories others are experiencing might just lead you in the right direction.

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