CBD Is Much Cooler Than You Might Think

Marijuana has gotten a bad reputation. It’s been racialized and demonized to scare people away from it. This is a huge issue on its own that has caused a lot of controversy in recent years. It has also made people hesitant to try hemp plant and CBD oil, despite its many health benefits. Although it originates from the same species of plant, CBD is not marijuana. 

Here’s the low-down on CBD oil and why it’s less scary and more beneficial than the media gives it credit for. 

What Is It?

Source: USA TODAY/YouTube

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, comes from the hemp plant and is the “second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis.” It’s typically taken in oil form to help with anxiety, depression, and other medical issues. 

CBD oil is made the same way some essential oils are made. The most common extraction method is CO2 extraction which uses a pressurized chamber filled with CO2 and the hemp plant to extract the oil. Alcohol extraction is also popular and has been shown to preserve hemp well. 

Myths

Source: Science Insider/YouTube

There are lots of myths about CBD floating around. Some of them are fear-mongering, and others are just plain wrong. The reality is that there is nothing scary about CBD oil or its effects, so let’s debunk a few of the big lies floating around about CBD. 

It Gets You High 

No, CBD oil will not get you high. If you take CBD oil expecting to get a buzz from it, you’re going to be very disappointed. CBD does not contain THC, it’s an isolated component, so it can not cause a high on its own. 

One reason people think CBD gets you high is that it is often put in edibles, oil, or other THC-containing products. If you consume pure CBD, you will not feel any ‘typical’ marijuana effects. 

It’s the Same as Marijuana 

Source: Cityline/YouTube

The marijuana plant and hemp plant are different, and CBD only comes from hemp plants. While they are the same species, hemp plants contain 0.3 percent or less THC, while marijuana plants contain more than 0.3 percent. THC is the chemical responsible for producing a high, so the effects of marijuana are significantly different than that of hemp. 

It’s Addictive

The World Health Organization has said that “in humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

The effects of CBD on the mind are little to none, which is completely different from alcohol, weed, and other recreational drugs. CBD is taken as a medicinal supplement, it is not enjoyed as a recreational drug in any form. 

It’s Illegal 

This is where things get tricky. In most U.S. states, CBD oil is completely legal. Some states like Nebraska and Idaho consider CBD oil to be identical to marijuana legally, although you can buy CBD legally in many states. You should check your state’s regulations. 

One study found that Americans consider CBD oil a sort of over-the-counter prescription, which hopefully means the legal attitude towards the substance will evolve and relax in the future. 

Benefits 

Let’s get into the real reason why CBD is so popular; its plethora of benefits! 

Prescription CBD is used as an anti-seizure medicine and is very effective. This is the most impressive benefit of the oil. 

Several studies suggest CBD oil can help with anxiety and insomnia. Customers often gravitate towards CBD for these benefits, and anecdotal research has demonstrated that it works quite well. 

While CBD is often ingested, it can also be applied topically as an anti-inflammatory and pain reducer. A study from the European Journal of Medicine suggests the oil can help soothe the effects of arthritis when applied to the skin. 

Finally, research has found CBD to be an effective tool for treating addiction to substances like tobacco and heroin. 

In Conclusion 

If you live in a state or country where CBD oil is available and legal, you may want to explore the benefits of the supplement. It’s a natural, drug-free, and entirely safe plant oil that should be researched and celebrated. 

So, the next time someone tells you that you shouldn’t take CBD oil because it’s a drug and will do more harm than good, stop them in their tracts and give them the facts!

Related Content:

• 10 Plant-Based Hemp Products Offering Similar Benefits to CBD Products
• 10 Organic Hemp Oil Products for Healthier Skin
• The Benefits of Hemp Seeds for Stress Relief
• Why We Should Consider Hemp Oil to Naturally Treat Acne

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take the initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote wise, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your own food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!