Cannabidiol (CBD) and other members of the cannabinoid family have been identified to play significant roles in interacting with the endocannabinoid system. This interaction helps to promote the activities of the endocannabinoid system in controlling cognitive responses like hunger, appetite, and internal balance.
After identifying the numerous potential benefits of CBD and other members of the cannabinoid family (like THC, CBG, CBC, and CBN), adequate measures are being put in place to provide as many products as possible that can deliver a healthy dose of these compounds to the body.
CBD compounds come in the form of CBD vapes, CBD oils, CBD tinctures, CBD gummies, CBD balms, creams, and edibles. While these products are unique in how they are administered or taken into the body, their end product is the provision of CBD to interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oils are extracted from cold pressing the leaves, seeds, and flowers of the cannabis plant. They contain a high concentration of CBD (usually between 10-22%) hence the name. These plant parts used for the production of CBD oil also contain a varying degree of other cannabinoids and terpenes. At the time of writing this article, the cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids and 120 terpenes. The combination of these compounds determines the cannabinoid spectrum of the CBD oils.
In most cases, it is common to confuse CBD oil with hemp oil since they may be extracted from the cannabis plant. However, it is pertinent to note that although CBD oil and Hemp may sound somehow similar, they are extracted from different parts of plants and contains different chemical compositions. Hemp oils are extracted from seeds of the hemp plant. Hence, they contain little to no CBD concentration. They are often regarded as essential oils and have a high terpene profile, which can play critical roles in providing therapeutic benefits to users.
What are the benefits of CBD oils?
CBD oils come in handy in the provision of CBD to elicit a wide range of potential benefits which are summarized below;
- Pain and inflammation control
CBD can help the immune system to lower the expression of pain and chronic inflammation associated with it. It helps in managing arthritic pain and muscle spasm when it interacts with the ECS receptor in the musculoskeletal system.
- Anxiety control
A healthy dose of CBD can be delivered to your body system by CBD oil. The CBD contained in the oil is activated by enzyme-catalyzed activities, therefore, releasing it into your bloodstream slowly. This helps in delivering the perfect dosage over a period of time that is best for anxiety control. When CBD is being activated in the body, it can trigger the production of hormones that makes you feel good, boost productivity to keep you calm throughout the day, and lowers blood pressure. This activated CBD can interact with other neurotransmitters to enhance rest and sleep, giving you enough time to be relaxed, settled, and ready to carry on with the job of the day. CBD plays an important role in the treatment of seizures in association with chronic forms of epilepsy.
- Healthy appetite
A balanced diet plays an important role in healthy living. The interaction between the ECS receptor and CBD can help to control intellectual responses like hunger. CBD interacts with the ECS receptors of the digestive system, can help to enhance bowel health, promote a healthy diet, and improve gut movement.
- Boost focus and brain activity
Nothing is better than the peace of mind that is associated with going about your daily routines without having distractions from your body cells. Result obtained from the research reveals that CBD can trigger the production of brain cells via neurogenesis. This helps in keeping the brain focused and active. This CBD also interacts with the receptors of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, to enhance productivity.
- Promotion of internal balance
CBD oils can play important roles in neutralizing the harmful effects of free radicals, thus, keeping the body balanced. The accumulation of free radicals may promote the growth and spread of cancerous cells, promote the signs of aging, and many more.
How is CBD oil taken?
Taking CBD oil is quite simple. All you need to do is to place the right dosage in your mouth and swallow. Please note that CBD oils come with different tastes and flavors; thus, it is important to choose one that appeals to you. When considering dosage, you can always refer to the product packaging for information on how best to identify the best dosage for you.
After swallowing CBD oils, it moves down the digestive tract into the stomach, where it is transported to the liver for activation. In the liver, CBD oil is metabolized to release active molecules, which then interact with endocannabinoid receptors to elicit their benefits. The enzymatic activation of CBD in the liver is known as the first-pass metabolism and may lead to the wastage of a good CBD concentration. This is why orally ingested CBD products have lower bioavailability.
CBD oil, when taken, takes an average of 30 minutes to one hour before the effect is felt. They can produce effects lasting up to 12 hours hence making them excellent for cases requiring a constant dose of CBD.
Apart from ingesting orally, CBD oils can be used as salad droppings or in cooking. In this case, they are consumed together with the food. Taking CBD oils this way may help to reduce the chances of dealing with an unusual taste or flavor.
Is CBD Oil Safe?
CBD oils contain little to no concentration of THC (usually not more than 0.3%). THC is the psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Using CBD oil is safe regardless of consumption.
Don’t forget to contact us if you have questions on the use of CBD and how best to administer CBD oils. Our team of experts will love to hear from you soon.