Chances are you’ve already heard about CBD, and you’ve probably heard claims about its many benefits. You’ve also likely heard CBD skeptics who doubt the claims surrounding CBD’s efficacy. With so many voices in the room, it’s often difficult to determine the truth. That’s why we’ve created this article, to explain everything that we currently know about CBD’s benefits and side effects. In this article:
What Makes CBD Effective?
All of the effects that CBD has are a result of the way that it binds to certain receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a system of neurotransmitters, enzymes, and receptors that interact with cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Your endocannabinoid system plays a role in mood regulation, cognitive processes, appetite, mood, memory and more.
CBD has garnered interest from the research community for its ability to modulate receptors inside and outside of the endocannabinoid system. All of the effects that CBD confers result from this binding process. Researchers have determined that CBD produces noticeable effects and are in the process of determining which receptors cause which effects and how to isolate those effects.
For a more comprehensive explanation of how CBD interacts with the nervous system and endocannabinoid system, check out the following articles:
- How Does CBD Work?
- Selling CBD: Frequently Asked Questions
Known and Suspected CBD Benefits
As we dive into the effects of CBD, you should note that all of these effects are still being researched. The effects that CBD has are real and documented, but it still cannot be used in the treatment, diagnosis, or cure of any disease or ailment. If you plan to sell CBD at your store, or if you are a medical professional, be very careful when making claims about the product. It can be recommended in tandem with accepted methods of treatment, but cannot be used as the sole method of treatment for any ailment.
With that disclaimer out of the way, here is a short list of some known and suspected benefits of CBD.
Pain Relief
CBD interacts with certain neurotransmitters that play a key role in pain perception. There is also evidence that hemp oil containing CBD has an anti-inflammatory effect. The combination of these two effects makes CBD a potent weapon in the fight against chronic pain.
These same qualities make hemp-derived products a useful tool for physical therapists, personal trainers, and athletes. CBD does not damage the liver or kidneys as some painkillers do in large quantities. It is also non-intoxicating and does not show up in drug tests, which is extremely important for high-level athletes, government workers, and operators of heavy machinery.
Anxiety and Depression Management
Anxiety and depression have reached epidemic status in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a KFF Health Tracking Poll showed that the rate of adults experiencing symptoms of depressive disorder or anxiety disorder had risen from 11% to 41.1%. This alarming increase has many looking for relief from pervasive anxiety and depression.
Researchers have observed improvements in anxiety and depression management in subjects that regularly used CBD. While research is ongoing to determine how potent these effects are, scientists have confirmed that CBD interacts with receptors that affect serotonin release.
Neuroprotection
One of the most well studied elements of CBD is its neuroprotective capability. This benefit was crucial to the legalization of hemp production and ongoing legalization and decriminalization movements. Neuroprotection refers to the ability to protect one’s brain from internal issues like seizures and strokes. To date, the only FDA-approved CBD-based pharmaceutical, Epidiolex, uses the neuroprotective properties of CBD to prevent seizures.
Heart Health Improvement
Researchers have been able to produce positive effects on the circulatory system using CBD. The primary effect that has been observed is reduction in blood pressure. High blood pressure is concretely linked to a wide range of serious health issues, so reducing blood pressure invariably has positive health effects. High blood pressure is also linked to anxiety, strokes, and inflammation, which CBD has also been shown to influence. The potency of the effects is unknown, but researchers are hard at work trying to determine whether or not there is a relation between these observed effects.
Known Side Effects of CBD
CBD is extremely safe and has not been known to produce any severe negative side effects. Most of the known side effects of CBD, hemp oil, and other hemp-derived products are mild. Still, if you plan to sell or use CBD for yourself, you should know the side effects.
Note that the following list is not comprehensive, as research is still ongoing.
Stomach Issues
Some users of CBD have reported stomach discomfort, nausea, or diarrhea after ingesting a large serving of CBD. In some cases, these side effects have been traced to carrier oils and other elements in hemp-derived products. This side effect is rare when serving recommendations are followed.
Fatigue
The jury is still out on whether or not CBD actually causes fatigue. A small number of CBD users have mentioned occasional bouts of fatigue or drowsiness after consuming CBD. While it is unlikely that you will experience these side effects, we recommend starting out with a small serving of CBD on a day where you will not need to operate heavy machinery.
Weight and Appetite Changes
CBD binds to receptors in the endocannabinoid system that affect appetite stimulation. This known effect does have the potential to lead to overeating and weight gain over time. If you are considering CBD, pay attention to how much you eat compared to when you haven’t taken CBD so that you may better monitor your caloric intake.
Negative Interaction with Some Prescription Medications
The most important side effect to be aware of when using CBD products is the way it interacts with certain prescription medications. Many medications bind to the same receptors that CBD does. If CBD binds to these receptors first, or inhibits the binding process, it can render the medications ineffective, which is dangerous in certain situations.
If you are on any prescription medications, make sure to consult your doctor to confirm that it is safe for you to use or consume CBD products.
Ready to Try CBD for Your Business?
As you can see, there are plenty of incredible benefits that CBD exhibits. As more benefits are uncovered, you’ll want to be ready to cater to shoppers whose interest in CBD has been piqued. Take advantage of this growing interest by partnering with US Hemp Wholesale! We carry a variety of hemp-derived CBD products that strictly adhere to federal laws and regulations. Fill out our vendor form today to see how you can grow your business with our CBD product offerings.