WHAT IS CBD
& CANNABIDIOL HEALTH BENEFITS
What Is CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is an active ingredient of cannabis. It is derived directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the marijuana plant. While CBD is a component of marijuana (one of hundreds), by itself it does not cause a “high.” According to a report from the World Health Organization, “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 Evidence for Cannabidiol Health Benefits
CBD has been touted for a wide variety of health issues, but the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications. In numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases it was able to stop them altogether. The FDA just recently approved the first ever cannabis-derived medicine for these conditions, Epidiolex, which contains CBD. CBD is also commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia as well as a host of other medical conditions including chronic pain.
Is cannabidiol safe?
As with any supplements, there are some side effects of CBD. Side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. CBD can increase the level in your blood of the blood thinner coumadin, and it can raise levels of certain other medications in your blood by the exact same mechanism that grapefruit juice does.