CBD Pros and Cons—What You Need to Know
Over the past years, people are starting to discover CBD products such as medical CBD oil and its benefits. The Cannabidiol industry itself is getting bigger and bigger, and, nowadays, it is worth billions of dollars with the expectation of growing even further. You might wonder, is it really worth a try? And we must tell you — it is! Well, for some people, using medical CBD oil can be a bit daunting, but knowing what this chemical does, whether it’s beneficial or not, is the first step to wellness. So, today, we’ll talk about CBD pros and cons. See, people often ask, “but what does CBD oil do?” It’s not surprising that you may have some questions, especially about potential risks. We wanted to make things more simple before you start buying and using CBD products, so here we listed the CBD pros and cons of using the popular cannabis plant—which purpose is to primarily extract cannabinoid compounds so that people can take advantage of their health benefits. Read on to learn more.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil or cannabidiol oil is an oil extracted from the cannabis plant, also known as industrial hemp. CBD oils and other CBD products are gaining momentum in the health and medicine industry right now because of scientific research as well as several pieces of information circulating in the wellness world with bold claims that many CBD products can help treat severe symptoms and conditions, especially when it comes to brain health and pain relief. The cannabinoids in CBD products are commonly found in cannabis plants, such as in marijuana and hemp. However, unlike in marijuana, cannabinoids in CBD oil hardly contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)—the chemical component that normally causes the euphoric and addictive “high” when one consumes cannabis drugs or marijuana products. The best thing about medical CBD oil is that it only contains less than 0.3% THC—the amount that is legal in most states in the US. Therefore, the few ingredients of CBD oil products are far from being harmful or addictive. In fact, many people with depression and anxiety disorders claim that since using a CBD oil product, their condition and quality of life has improved, ultimately pleased with the results of this alternative medicinal drug. However, there is no official information from medical professionals confirming that CBD oil is an official drug that can cure depression and anxiety or any disease for that matter. We still need more scientific research.
CBD Oil Pros and Cons:
PROS
- Non-intoxicating
- Increases pain relief
- Eases epilepsy
- Safe for children
- Works with animals
- Reduces depression and anxiety disorder
- Cures acne
- Easy to use
CONS
- CBD products can be expensive
- Some people taking CBD oil say it tastes bad
- It may become less effective
- It affects everyone differently
- Some countries or states have not legalized CBD oil yet
- Few people experience uncomfortable side effects while taking CBD products
CBD Oil Pros
You might have heard that CBD oil is great for calming people with anxiety disorders, or others might have informed you that it is better as a food supplement—most often than not, these are correct information. Many people have testified that cannabidiol substances can help with a wide spectrum of mental issues, particularly anxiety and depression, as well as relief to physical pain such as multiple sclerosis and other bodily ailment symptoms. Some people even use CBD oil as ingredients for their high-quality beauty products. Now, let’s see all of its pros!Non-intoxicating
In our guide to medical CBD and hemp, we mentioned one of the most common myths—that cannabidiol is psychoactive just like the THC commonly found in cannabis plants, particularly marijuana. But several pieces of research confirm that CBD oil with less than 0.3% THC is 100% natural, organic, and non-intoxicating. It won’t produce the addictive “high,” but it does affect your brain (in a good way!), so we can say that it is totally not psychoactive and absolutely non-intoxicating—cannabidiol oil is NOT the type of product that damages the brain. In fact, its effect on your mind is gentle, given that it contains less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and getting “stoned” is often always the result of too much THC.
Increases Pain Relief
CBD oil is a natural painkiller, and it is especially a popular product when it comes to aiding chronic pain, such as skin disease. Studies have shown a significant reduction of chronic inflammation and pain, which makes it a perfect alternative to pharmaceutical treatments.Eases Epileptic Episodes
One of the most exciting facts about CBD is its potential impact on those with epilepsy. It decreases the number of seizure attacks, which makes it more than helpful for individuals who are experiencing cluster seizures—humans and animals alike. In the United States of America, CBD oil is used for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome (DS)—these two rare conditions characterized by epileptic seizures, and are difficult to control with other types of medications.
Safe for Children
Unfortunately, the number of children who are suffering from epilepsy is huge, and it’s good to know that medical CBD oil can be safely used for kids. Due to its non-toxic nature, there is no need to worry about long-term damage or side effects, which are not so rare with other pharmaceutical prescriptions. However, it’s important to choose the right amount of CBD and consult a health professional when letting children consume CBD oil.Works with Animals
Considering that cannabidiol is safe for children, you can bet that it is also safe for pets, which is great news. Like us, animals have an endocannabinoid system, and cannabidiol oils will interact with their system in the same way, helping with the pain and many other issues—even with pet depression, separation anxiety, crowd anxiety, and kennel anxiety.
Reduces Depression and Anxiety Disorder
Yes, it’s proven that CBD treatments can help you with reducing anxiety and depression. Although studies are in the early stages, users claim an overall decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms. Besides that, CBD oil is also beneficial for aiding multiple anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and insomnia.Cures Acne
Another promising use for CBD! Studies found that CBD oil helps lower the production of sebum—an oily substance that is responsible for acne. When it’s used as an infused cream, cannabidiol might help you not only with treating acne but also with your skin’s humidity and elasticity in general.
Easy to Use
CBD products are safe and reliable — users cannot overdose on them. Even when the dosage is higher than it should be, its side effects won’t be too bad. What's also great is that you can use it in various ways! Some people simply use a drop under their tongue every day, but you can also take it in a non-liquid form or as a food supplement.CBD Oil Cons
Despite all the benefits, all things come with cons as a caveat to everyone. There aren’t many negative effects, but here are some things that you should be aware of when it comes to CBD oil::CBD Products Can Be Expensive
Some CBD products are still a bit expensive for some people. The price varies depending on the quality and brand — it is usually because of the manufacturing process, especially when providers grow their own hemp. Although it is easier said than done, the price of CBD oil is the last thing you should look at—Its organic growth, medical benefits, and quality-providers are way more important.Some People Taking CBD Oil Says It Tastes Bad
Some people have to get used to the bitter taste of CBD oil, while others find the taste good and enjoyable. If you simply don’t like the natural taste and aroma of cannabidiol, consider some other options when consuming it such as, capsules, gummies, smoothie recipes, drinks, and much more.It May Become Less Effective
Long-term users might reach the point where CBD will become less effective. In that case, the best thing that you can do is to take a short break because the tolerance build-up is temporary or consult a health professional to get some advice on the amount of cannabidiol that you need.It Affects Everyone Differently
It’s not really a con, but it is something to be aware of—everybody’s reaction is different. Thanks to the different chemical composition in each body — you must find your way through it, and the best way to do it is through consultation with your doctor. There is no general perfect dosage, and it is possible that you will have to try different methods of consuming CBD oil until you find the perfect fit for your needs.