CBD is a very popular remedy for people who experience symptoms associated with anxiety and insomnia, because it promotes a calm mind and a relaxed demeanor. CBD has been shown to relieve inflammation in the joints as well, which is helpful for people who are affected by conditions such as arthritis.. However, this useful drug does not come without side effects. Should you try CBD products? Here are the pros and cons of medicinal CBD.
Table of Contents
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound that comes from both the Marjuana and Hemp species of the Cannabis Sativa plant. However, Hemp is used most often for CBD products due to its high CBD and low THC concentrations. For most people, CBD does not get you high. Rather, it just promotes feelings of calm and allows for better relaxation. THC is the component in Marjuana that gives people the drug’s psychoactive effects. However, an estimated 5% of people report feeling psychoactive effects after taking CBD products. Therefore, everyone should take CBD with caution the first few times.
The Pros of CBD Products
There are many pros to taking CBD products, especially for those who experience anxiety, insomnia, or joint inflammation. Here are some of the main benefits to taking CBD.
As an Anti Inflammatory: CBD products have been shown to work as an anti inflammatory. Therefore, CBD can be very beneficial for people with conditions such as osteoarthritis, because it helps with reducing this painful inflammation.
As a Pain Reliever: CBD has been suggested to reduce both nerve and musculoskeletal forms of pain.
As a Sleep Aid: CBD promotes relaxation, so it can help to reduce insomnia. Due to insomnia being a common alcohol and drug withdrawal symptom, this is sometimes offered to recovering addicts as a safe sleep aid during alcohol or drug rehab. “Although this is not something we offer, CBD products have seen an uptake with people trying to tapper off some withdrawal symptoms, especially those who try to do it at home”, says Mat Gorman, CEO at Nova Recovery Center.
As an Anxiety Reliever: CBD promotes a calm mind. Therefore, it has been proven to be extremely helpful for some individuals with anxiety.
As an Epilepsy Medication: CBD has been used for treating some specific types of epilepsy. In fact, the CBD based medication for epilepsy, Epidiolex, is the only current CBD product that is FDA approved.
The Cons of CBD Products
CBD has many pros. However, these products are not without any cons. Here are some of the potential drawbacks to taking CBD products.
Side Effects: There are some side effects that can be experienced after taking CBD. These can include symptoms like diarrhea, dry mouth, reduced appetite, and fatigue or tiredness. Although tiredness may be a desired effect, it should always be taken into consideration.
Drug Interactions: CBD products can also have drug interactions with drugs such as blood thinners, antidepressants, some antibiotics, and more. For this reason, you should always consult your doctor before taking CBD products.
It can be Addictive: CBD products can become addictive if taken frequently for an extended period of time. You can gain a tolerance and have trouble with falling asleep or coping with anxiety symptoms without it. Luckily, going through a CBD drug detox, like at Briarwood Detox for instance, is not dangerous, and it can be done from home.
Some Things to Consider When Shopping for CBD Products
It is also important to remember that CBD products are not regulated by the FDA most of the time. Therefore, it is crucial to check labels for the proper information and disclaimers, and to remember to check the dosage. You should always consult a doctor before taking CBD, and to ensure your safety you should be careful when trying CBD products the first couple of times.
Conclusion
CBD has many benefits including aiding with symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. However, there are some drawbacks to consider as well. Whether or not you want to try CBD is completely up to you, and it is usually fairly safe. However, you should still consult with your doctor before trying CBD, because it may interact with a variety of common medications.
