CBD (cannabidiol) marijuana has been taking the news and social media by storm as consumers start to swear by this natural chemical as a cure for countless medical and behavioral ailments. CBD oil is marketed not just toward people of all ages, but toward animals as well – whether your dog has joint pains or anxiety, the addition of CBD oil to small meals seems to have helped many pet owners.
Initially discovered in 1963 by Raphael Mechoulam, interest in CBD oil’s properties has recently spiked.
Extracted directly from the plant, CBD is usually more concentrated in the leaves and flowers. It is a common misconception that CBD oil will leave users with a high; unlike THC, CBD doesn’t provide the symptoms commonly associated with a drug high.
To give you an idea of conditions that can be treated with the benefits of CBD oil, here’s a short list:
- Fibromyalgia
- PTSD
- Chronic pain relief
- Alleviation of cancer-related symptoms
- Acne
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Sleep Disorders
Among many, many more – some of which is still being discovered and/or tested.
But CBD oil isn’t just for the treatment of extreme conditions; it can be used safely at home for skin and hair care, and with the market growing quickly, product availability is becoming much easier for customers.
CBD Oil and Skin Care
There are countless gels, serums, moisturizers, and spritzes out now with CBD oil enhancement – all made to improve the health of your skin. But what does that really mean? Has CBD oil been proven to treat skin issues yet?
So far, dermatologists have confirmed that studies for anti-aging seem promising; CBD can affect the endocannabinoid system, which makes skin appear more youthful.
CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties (making it great for many other ailments), and this contributes to calming conditions such as eczema and acne. Pre-human testing has shown that CBD can help fight acne by slowing down sebum production, a main factor in the cause of acne.
One last common use of the oil in skin care is for redness. Because the redness is usually caused by inflammation, beauty products and skin creams containing CBD can soothe the skin and fight back against your body’s inflammatory response.
CBD Oil and Hair Care
Chances are if you’ve seen hemp hair care products, you’ve come across a product containing CBD oil.
We can easily tie skin and hair care together when looking at the scalp; if you’re having problems with a dry, itchy, or inflamed scalp, you might want to give CBD hair care products a try.
There’s also been a lot of talk about what CBD oil can do for hair growth. As it turns out, hemp itself has many of the things that hair needs to grow strong and thick, including omega fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, probiotics, and antioxidants.
But most important is Vitamin E, and CBD is an amazing source for it.
Vitamin E restores damaged cells and thickens hair follicles. The oil also coats the hair to prevent loss of moisture. Keep an eye out for shampoos, conditioners, and hair masques if you’re interested in getting a bit of CBD in your system – it could be exactly what your scalp and hair are looking for.
Controversy
Although marijuana has been used for centuries throughout many civilizations, for much more than just recreation, there is still a taboo around it.
Currently the United States is moving toward legalization in many states; but many CBD products are already on the market, as they don’t contain THC, the cannabinoid that provides a high with consumption.
Despite the fact that marijuana and hemp have been around for so long, CBD oils and products are newer to the market, and usually pretty pricey depending on what you’re looking for. There has been some successful research done in regards to the oil and medical health, but the industry will definitely need to dive deeper.
For now there are a few things to take into consideration when it comes to adding CBD to your diet or products:
- Some individuals may have an intolerance to CBD that can cause diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, and a loss of appetite.
- The source of the oil is important. It’s possible to get less-pure versions of the product, and in a recent study, more than a quarter of the products looked at contained less CBD than the packaging claimed.
Generally, CBD is considered a safe product to use – but make sure to test a small amount of the product (whether in makeup, skin care, or hair care) to see if any adverse side effects appear.
Also talk to your doctor about how CBD oil may benefit your particular issue, and ask them for recommendations when it comes to reliable producers and companies. If you’re going to do some research of your own, make sure you read the labels on any products that interest you, and pay attention to how much of the oil is in the product. It may be so little that the price isn’t justified; or it may be enough that side effects are more likely.