It seems like everywhere you look, CBD is being touted as a natural remedy for many common ailments. Derived from the hemp plant, CBD is natural and non-intoxicating. This makes it an appealing option for those looking to calm the body and mind without the mind-altering effects of cannabis or adverse side effects associated with some pharmaceutical drugs.
Claims that CBD can help with anxiety, depression, pain, epilepsy, and other health conditions have made the cannabinoid increasingly popular over the last few years.
There are many ways to consume CBD, but CBD oil is perhaps the most popular option. CBD oil is available in the largest range of flavors and potencies, ranging from 100mg to upwards of 5,000 mg.
There are great low to-mid range potency options, like this 600mg CBD oil from Premium Jane. Mid-range potencies are ideal for newbies or those using CBD for general health and wellness. Generally, different CBD oils are better suited to different individuals depending on their needs and wellness goals.
Below, we explore the many uses and applications of CBD oil.
What Are the Health Benefits of CBD Oil?
CBD may benefit an individual’s health in various ways.
First and foremost, people employ CBD oil as a general wellness supplement. Taking the cannabinoid daily or microdosing helps to keep your endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulated, preventing imbalances.
The ECS is a biological system that plays an important role in the proper functioning of essential bodily functions, including immune response, stress, sleep, and pain. Taking CBD to help bring your mind and body back to calm, supports optimal functioning of the ECS, thereby promoting overall health and wellness.
Here are a few more specific benefits of using a CBD tincture or oil:
- Supports stress management: CBD is well-known for its calming properties and may be just what you need to calm nervousness or stress. One 2015 review found that CBD may effectively treat multiple anxiety disorders.
- Promote a healthy night’s rest: CBD is often touted for improving sleep. However, it’s unclear whether CBD directly impacts our sleep-wake cycle or works indirectly by relieving symptoms of poor sleep. For instance, CBD oil could improve sleep by helping to relieve stress or reducing pain – both factors that could hamper a good night’s rest.
- Alleviates pain and inflammation: CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and may help ease muscle or joint pain. It may be especially useful for post-workout recovery, reducing inflammation, and soothing muscle soreness.
- Support heart health: Some research suggests that CBD has several benefits for the heart and circulatory system. One small 2017 study reports that CBD can reduce resting blood pressure. There are a few other studies to back up the claim that CBD may have the ability to lower high blood pressure.
There are numerous other potential benefits of using a CBD tincture, such as relieving nausea, reducing seizures, improving appetite, and alleviating muscle spasms.
However, it’s important to recognize that CBD oil is not a “cure all.” Nor is it a prescribed cure or treatment option for any specific health condition – besides two rare forms of epilepsy.
Everyone is different and may respond differently to CBD. It won’t have the same effects for everyone, so while some may find that it helps relieve stress or pain, others may have a different experience.
Nonetheless, CBD oil is certainly worth experimenting with because, if nothing else, it’s excellent for boosting general health and wellness.
How to Use CBD Oil
Typically, CBD oil is used sublingually, which entails placing a few drops of oil under the tongue and holding it there for about a minute before swallowing. This allows the active ingredients to be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream via mucus membranes in the mouth.
If you simply swallow the CBD oil, it would need to pass through the digestive system and be metabolized by the liver before taking effect. The same process applies when CBD is added to food or drinks.
Many people don’t enjoy the taste and texture of CBD oil, which is why they prefer to sprinkle it over foods like salads and pasta or into drinks like coffees or smoothies. It may take a bit longer for the effects to kick in, but for many, it’s a more enjoyable way to take CBD. Also, the effects may last longer since the active compounds are distributed throughout the body for several hours.
Generally, the best method of consumption comes down to personal preferences and needs.
Final Thoughts on What You Can Do with CBD Oil
CBD oil is a versatile health supplement with various potential benefits and uses. It’s an excellent general wellness product but may also provide specific health effects.
Many employ CBD oil to calm the body and mind and find that it helps promote a good night’s rest and supports stress management.
CBD oil is best used sublingually since the active compounds can bypass the digestive system and travel directly into the bloodstream. However, for those who don’t like tasting a CBD tincture, it can be added to foods and beverages to mask the taste. Although the delivery method and onset of effects are slightly different, the benefits remain the same.