What Is CBD Oil and How Does It Work?
CBD is a compound found in the cannabis plant and has been used for many different reasons. It has become increasingly popular as an oil to use topically or a dietary supplement. It is being sold to help with pain, anxiety, seizures and other conditions. But what is it exactly, and does it work?
CBD doesn’t have the “high” associated with marijuana and does not contain THC. However, it is still considered a drug and should be taken responsibly. A recent study on people with high blood pressure found that CBD reduced their resting blood pressure significantly when compared to placebo (24).
There are no current guidelines for how much to take, but anecdotal reports suggest it can be effective in treating arthritis pain, particularly in those who have tried other treatments without success. CBD has also been shown to improve the symptoms of anxiety and depression (25).
It has also been used to treat a condition called dystonia, which causes muscle spasticity in some people with multiple sclerosis (MS). One clinical trial showed that CBD treatment reduced the spasticity in 75% of 276 patients with MS who had resistant spasticity to other drugs (21).
There is also evidence that it may protect against type 1 diabetes and help reduce inflammation in the pancreas. (26). However, more research is needed on this.
CBD can interact with some medicines, so it is important to talk to your doctor before trying it. This is especially important if you are taking a prescription drug, such as an antidepressant, a heart medication or a seizure medicine. It can cause sedation and interfere with the effectiveness of some medications, such as benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants. It may also affect the way some medications are metabolized by your body, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (like citalopram and sertraline) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including amitriptyline and phenelzine (Nardil).
People with diabetes should avoid CBD oils that have been infused with THC. Although the oils have low levels of THC, they can still affect your blood sugar and glucose control and should not be used by diabetics (27).
When buying CBD products, look for labels that list ingredients, a certificate of analysis from an independent lab, and manufacturing information. You should also choose products that are made in the U.S., have good manufacturing practices and follow the standards set by the FDA for pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements (a voluntary quality standard). It is best to find a product that has been tested using methods that are validated and recognized by a national laboratory, such as the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, USP, or the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Look for a label that indicates how many milligrams of CBD is in each drop of the product. This will allow you to compare products and determine if they are a good fit for your arthritis symptoms. Ideally, you should also purchase a CBD oil that is formulated specifically for people with arthritis. CBD Oil
