CBD Oil: Cannabidiol Uses and Benefits

Ron is a 50-year-old manager at a major movie studio in Los Angeles. He works long hours, constantly on the go, goes to bed stressed and then wakes up stressed. He sleeps little and has little time outside of work for his family.

For many years he has suffered with low back pain that prevented him from sitting for long periods. He had surgery and was given pain medications, which helped – a little. He eventually ended up on three different opiate drugs, taking multiple pills throughout the day, which made him groggy and unable to function. Even though they made him drowsy all day, he was still suffering with significant pain.

He came to see me hoping to get off these drugs and be pain-free, and after discussing the options, we decided to try CBD oil, which didn’t require a prescription or make him high and groggy. Over just a couple of months, he was able to wean off most of his medications, needing only one pill two or three times per day, instead of nine. He was also functioning better at work because he wasn’t sleepy all day.

CBD —it’s everywhere! Cannabidiol, or CBD oil, is fast becoming a household word. You’ve heard all the talk about pain relief, curing Alzheimer’s disease and neurological disorders, as well as many other illnesses. CBD has been touted as a cure for almost any illness. One source has over 50 different illnesses that may be affected by CBD oil.[1] You can buy it in the supermarket, in a pharmacy, and even in convenience stores!

What is CBD?

The cannabis plant is made up of two main players: CBD and THC:

• THC stimulates the brain, nervous system and immune system receptors to cause a “high.”
• CBD doesn’t produce any mental and emotional effects of its own, but tends to interact with the parts that reduces inflammation.

Marijuana has almost pure THC while hemp is almost pure CBD. There are some strains of cannabis that have both. CBD is extracted from the hemp plant and diluted with oil such as vegetable, coconut, or MCT oil. It’s hard to find pure CBD oil.

Is CBD legal?

Since CBD oil is not psychoactive, the Federal government does not regulate it. CBD oil is also considered an herbal extract in all 50 states. If there is more than 0.03% THC in CBD, then the Federal government has passed a law that it is not legal for use. However, some states have laws that legalize marijuana, allowing people in those states to get CBD oil with more THC than the federal limit.

What does CBD do?

Cannabidiol doesn’t bind to the CB receptors, the marijuana receptors, like THC. In fact, it has some inhibitory effects on THC. Instead, CBD causes the body to make more of its own “endocannabinoids,” the natural substance your body makes that binds to these receptors. That’s why THC can cause a “high” while CBD does not.