While the FDA is aware that companies market CBD as a wellness agent, there are no FDA-approved drugs containing it. This may come as a surprise to some as CBD has been under the spotlight of many health trends in recent years.
CBD can be a powerful healing agent and has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Most people are familiar with the use of CBD oil to treat chronic pain, however CBD has many other uses, too.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the more than 80 active ingredients found in the cannabis plant, but it’s one of the most well-known. CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is extracted from the cannabis plant using a process called phytoremediation.
A phytoremediation plant is typically grown on a farm for a variety of reasons. First, it is an easily replicable plant that has a relatively short growing cycle. Additionally, it is very water- and pesticide-resistant, making it an excellent option for small-scale farmers who want to produce and sell their own product without the hassle of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
While the medicinal use of CBD has become more widespread over the last few years, the medicinal uses of cannabis are actually centuries old.
The Health Benefits of CBD
When it comes to cannabis, the most commonly-known effect of CBD is to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with painkillers. It’s the most common form of medical cannabis on the market. CBD oil is a natural plant-based substance, made up of the chemical compounds naturally occurring in the cannabis plant (Cannabidiol).
It helps the body to deal with pain, inflammation, anxiety, nausea, and many other ailments. There are many different kinds of CBD oil available, but generally it contains 25 to 90 percent CBD, with a small amount of THC.
The Difference Between THC and CBD
There’s been a lot of confusion between THC and CBD, but this confusion is quickly fading away as more and more CBD products and legal treatments are popping up. When you take THC, you will experience the “high”. When you take CBD, you will not experience a high, but you will still experience the benefits of CBD.
You will still get the powerful benefits of an overall healing, balanced mood, and relaxation. You will also get all of the benefits of healing brain inflammation without the side effects of getting high.
While THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is often considered to be the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, most of the medicinal effects of the CBD compound come from CBD.
Is CBD FDA Approved?
Most of you reading this article likely know the answer to this question, but if not, let’s go over some facts on CBD. First, a quick word about the DEA. In 2001, the DEA gave cannabis its Schedule I classification – making it one of the most dangerous drugs in the world.
This classification means that the DEA classifies CBD under the same category as heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and cannabis, and that it is extremely difficult for researchers to acquire CBD in the United States.
Many people are surprised to learn that since the DEA gave cannabis its Schedule I classification, the federal government has completely ignored the fact that cannabis has medical benefits. The Obama administration added an additional Schedule I to cannabis in 2014.
Conclusion
CBD is considered by many to be the future of medical cannabis. CBD extracts are often available over the counter in certain stores or on online retailers. CBD can be consumed either via plant, food, or topical products.
Once you’ve got your CBD, you can decide whether you want to incorporate CBD into your overall well-being plan, or if you’d rather take a CBD pill to obtain CBD faster.
Either way, it’s important to remember that the main benefit of CBD is that it can help you manage the symptoms and side effects of cancer and other serious diseases.