In the past few years, the wellness industry has witnessed CBD as a major buzzword.
Ever since the Hemp Farm Act of 2018 got a green light, the market has witnessed a steady stream of hemp-derived products sold as legalized compounds.
In other words, one can now buy CBD online, from health food stores, pet shops, and even in certain cafes where they sell juices and coffees infused with CBD.
So, is it worth the hype?
Is CBD beneficial as it claims to curb anxiety, fight depression, or do away with chronic pain?
Well, the answer isn’t easy.
For starters, understanding how CBD compounds work is way too complex. Moreover, when it comes to establishing the efficacy of CBD, there’s not much supportive evidence. Moreover, some people using CBD products believe it helps them overcome their recurring issues, which further makes it dubious.
All this hoopla around CBD products can make things a tad bit confusing for anyone.
Fret not!
This post shall help you gain comprehensive knowledge on CBD, know more about the legit stuff, and above all, what to look for when you buy CBD online.
Know the basics right
Before you go ahead buying CBD products, it’s imperative to know what they are and how they work on your body.
CBD, outright a chemical compound, is readily found in cannabis, a flowering plant with multiple subspecies that include hemp and marijuana.
Within cannabis resides another compound, referred to as THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) that gives you the feeling of being high when you smoke pot. Now, it’s important to understand that not every kind of cannabis can get you stoned. This is chiefly because of the presence of both CBD and THC in varying amounts.
While Marijuana is naturally loaded with THC, hemp bulks up on CBD. On paper, CBD does carry the potential to do away with several ailments of the human body as it directly works on the endocannabinoid system, regulating sensations of pain, memory, appetite, immunity, sleep, mood swings, and cognition. It does so by effectively releasing certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) specifically instructing organs, cells, and tissues to render a specific function, like controlling inflammation, pain, or a change in mood.
Always compare actual research to claims
Sure, CBD is gaining popularity as a wellness compound with anecdotal evidence and word-of-mouth reviews, but a large part of it hovers on possibility. That’s why the majority of CBD brands resort to using words like “might” and “may” in their advertorials.
CBD, as research reports suggest, has been found effective for a slew of ailments that include:
- Lowering chronic pain and managing anxiety (works as an anxiolytic)
- As an antibacterial agent to treat infections
- Works an anti-inflammatory agent
- Works as a neuroprotector for conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s
- Fights free radicals coming from smoke, radiation, and toxins
However, the glitch, in this case, is how a large part of these research studies was carried out on animals or involved the petri-dish under lab conditions, and only a few of them on humans. Undoubtedly, the research studies are intriguing, but it’s still a matter of chance when one seeks to translate the effects on humans at large.
You will be surprised to know that there have been only a couple of placebo-controlled trials determining the efficacy of CBD – a sharp contrast to the number of individuals using CBD to alleviate chronic pain.
Nevertheless, there are a handful of drugs like Epidiolex (cannabidiol) which is extensively used to fight and control seizures, occurring majorly in children. Another good instance is a prescription CBD known as Sativex (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), also referred to as Nabiximols in the U.S. It is generally administered for MS-related spasticity and is currently undergoing further examination by the FDA, along with several other CBD-infused drugs.
Consult a doctor before buying CBD
Before you buy CBD online, it’s always a wise call to consult your family doctor or attending healthcare professional.
Remember, CBD, although derived from a plant and generally well-tolerated, still has the characteristic properties of a drug.
In other words, it can adversely affect a lot of people; side effects which we aren’t aware of other than the regular ones like dryness of mouth, fatigue, or loss of appetite. Plus, if you are already on other medicines, CBD might interfere with other drugs causing more harm than good.
CBD products offer very little consumer protection
With government oversight taking a backseat, there’s very little scope of consumer protection when you buy CBD online or from a wellness store.
Currently, the FDA has no regulation for CBD products which makes it a perfect opportunity for brands to market their products the way they desire. There you go with all tall claims that aren’t backed by science or medical studies. Owing to very little evidence, CBD products are even far from being recognized as supplements.
What’s funny is there are certain products touted as CBD, which in reality does not have any CBD component present at all. Instead, they have THC which can contaminate to dangerous levels when additives like opioids and benzos are included in the composition.
Wrap up
So you see, with CBD buying, it’s all a wild west game. Hence, be a smart buyer and get your due diligence done, read the ingredients properly, and compare the claims to the facts before you buy CBD online.
