What is CBD? Is it Legal?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an herbal compound found in cannabis that provides numerous health benefits when consumed. Because cannabis contains THC, it is considered a controlled substance according to federal law, and thus CBD has remained illegal for a long time. However, unlike THC, CBD does not get you “high.” Fortunately, recent laws have enabled producers to grow cannabis that is low in THC, which can then be harvested for CBD so that people can enjoy its benefits. 

What is Cannabis? Is it legal?

Cannabis is a flowering plant with certain psychoactive properties that grows naturally in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. The cannabis plant has three different subspecies: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, and cannabis ruderalis. Every cannabis plant contains about 113 different herbal compounds known as cannabinoids, many of which are used around the world for medicinal purposes. The most famous of these are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the cannabinoid most people associate with cannabis and the one that gets people “high”. However, CBD is surging in popularity, because it has numerous health benefits and it will not get you “high”.

Cannabis plants are often referred to as marijuana or hemp. However, the law legally defines “hemp” as those cannabis plants with levels of THC lower than the legal limit of 0.3%. At levels this low, hemp is not effective in producing a “high”. To clarify: Hemp is not a subspecies, but a designation for those strains of cannabis that contain lower than 0.3% THC. Hemp is often used to produce CBD.

The law makes this distinction between strains of cannabis to provide some legal leeway for people to grow hemp in the United States. The 2018 farm bill legalized growing hemp throughout the country. However, cannabis plants with levels of THC higher than 0.3% continue to fuel a debate as to their legality. Many states have already approved their legalization, although in many cases there are significant restrictions placed on the consumer’s ability to purchase it. Typically, the buyer will need a card issued by a medical professional, who will only approve it if their patient has a specific medical condition that THC may provide relief from.

What is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is another cannabinoid found in cannabis. Although CBD has psychoactive properties, it doesn’t get people “high” as THC does. Rather, it is used to provide relief from various conditions such as chronic pain, depression, anxiety, inflammation, and heart disease. Harvesters extract CBD from the cannabis plant and combine it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or hemp seed oil to make CBD oil, a stable form of CBD that people can purchase and consume as needed.

While THC is more known for its psychoactive effects, CBD is more known for its positive health effects. CBD can be used to address a wide array of conditions, and can usually be combined with medications and other herbal remedies, often with great success. A powerful anti-inflammatory, CBD oil can serve as a potent aid for those seeking relief from any illness or condition which results in inflammation. It also helps to restore damaged nerve cells, which is another critical benefit when addressing conditions that produce inflammation.

Because CBD oil does not face the same restrictions as to how it can be sold, people can purchase it anywhere in the country without needing approval from their doctor. Many CBD producers will allow up to 0.3% THC in some of their products to further augment their psychoactive properties, making it more effective in relieving pain. However, not all CBD products contain THC. As people learn more about this extremely helpful herbal compound, the negative stigma surrounding cannabis disappears, and its reputation for helping people becomes known far and wide.

What does CBD Oil do to the Body?

The human body has a system that is designed to react to cannabinoids, known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Scientists have been researching the ECS for decades, and have learned that it is a signaling system that seems to play a role in regulating sleep, mood, appetite, memory, and reproduction/fertility. The ECS has two main types of receptors that respond to cannabinoids: CB1 and CB2 receptors. THC binds with these receptors directly, which stimulates the nervous system to cause a number of favorable reactions, while also producing a “high”.

CBD does not seem to bind with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Rather, it appears to slow the breaking down of endocannabinoids, which are the cannabinoids produced by the body itself. This enables the endocannabinoids to affect the body for longer. Some scientists believe that CBD binds to a receptor that is undiscovered at present. In any case, CBD oil can benefit anyone, since everyone has a nervous system and an endocannabinoid system. 

What is CBD Oil used for?

The list of conditions that CBD oil can provide relief from is long enough that we cannot go into detail about how exactly cannabidiol affects each one. But this list should inspire some to research it. If you suffer from one of these conditions, feel free to call us and ask us how our CBD oil can benefit you. One thing you should know: Whatever condition you have, you can expect that CBD oil will have a significant impact on your ability to manage its symptoms and experience relief. 

• Chronic Pain
• Neuropathy
• Fibromyalgia
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Inflammation
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart/Cardiovascular Disease
• Skin Conditions
• Diabetes
• Insomnia
• Neurodegenerative Disorders
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Mood Disorders
• Psychoses
• Addiction
• Cancer Symptoms
• Chemotherapy side effects
• Bone Disease/Broken Bones
• PTSD
• Indigestion/Nausea
• Stress
• HIV
• Bipolar
• Schizophrenia
• Seizures
• Other conditions

When taken regularly, CBD oil can help individuals with these conditions. It can help to reduce and/or possibly eliminate their symptoms. Although unproven, there is also evidence that CBD oil functions as an antioxidant. 

What Dosages are appropriate for CBD Oil?

When taking CBD oil, the dropper will enable you to draw up the exact dosage required. One drop of CBD oil contains about 0.05 mL, so one mL will contain 20 drops. If you are taking it in a soft gel or tablet form, the dosage is specified on the label. Your required dosage will depend on your condition and your unique medical profile. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate dosage for you.

What are the Dangers or Side Effects of Taking CBD Oil?

CBD oil is very well tolerated, even in high dosages. Some evidence suggests that higher dosages can lead to liver damage. When side effects do occur, they are typically fatigue, diarrhea, changes in appetite, and changes in weight. There have been a few isolated instances of bad reactions to CBD, however most of these were related to consumption of synthetic CBD.

How does CBD Oil interact with other Drugs or Substances?

Your body uses the gut and liver to metabolize medicines and herbal remedies. CYP450 is a category of enzymes that break down such substances, and CYP3A4 is a critical enzyme that performs this function. CBD oil can inhibit the action of CYP3A4, and thereby slow down your body’s ability to break down medications or compounds. When certain medications remain in the body for longer than they are supposed to, they can sometimes build up to toxic levels.

CBD oil doesn’t always have this effect on medications, nor does it affect every medication in this way. Each individual is different, and sometimes the user will have to experiment to get the dosage correct. If you are currently taking other medications or herbal supplements to treat one or more conditions and you are interested in trying CBD oil, talk to your doctor about how it interacts with your current regimen. Keep in mind that CBD oil is an over-the-counter herbal compound, and your doctor will typically not make money when you purchase it.

Should I take CBD Oil?

Absolutely! Because CBD affects so many different conditions, it stands to reason that it will have at least some positive effects after you’ve been taking it for a few days. For example, inflammation is a characteristic of injuries, cardiovascular disease, infections, arthritis, allergies, and many more things. Likewise, depression is a side effect of numerous medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, HIV, MS, and others. CBD provides relief from inflammation and depression, in addition to those other conditions. 

As when starting any medication, always seek medical advice. Organic CBD oil can interact with your current medications, and you should ask your doctor about what to expect, and what dosage is correct for you. But if you have a quality product from a quality producer like Sonny’s Wellness, you stand an excellent chance of experiencing significant and ongoing relief from whatever condition you might be suffering from.

*The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.