Does CBD Oil Actually Work?
So, you’re probably curious about starting your CBD journey and asking yourself “does CBD oil work?” but before we get into the potential effectiveness of CBD oil, we need to understand what CBD actually is first.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is extracted from the cannabis plant’s leaves and flowers; however, when THC chemicals are present, cannabis is classified as a class B drug that is prohibited in the UK. Pure CBD, on the other hand, is not illegal. With its recent possible health benefits, which we will go into more depth below, CBD is continuously growing in popularity.
So let’s find out if CBD oil actually works…
Does CBD Get You High?
The short answer is no, CBD does not get you “high”. CBD is a chemical substance found in cannabis plants and while CBD is derived from cannabis plants, it doesn’t actually contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance responsible for the “high” associated with using cannabis.
In light of this, ingesting CBD oil shouldn’t have any intoxicating effects. Other cannabinoids and other plant substances like terpenes and flavonoids may also be present in trace amounts in CBD oil, these compounds work together to enhance the effectiveness of CBD.
Some CBD oils may also include carrier oils, like MCT oil or hemp seed oil, in addition to these naturally occurring ingredients to enhance their consistency and absorption to give you an improved CBD experience.
How Does CBD Oil Work?
Some research suggests that CBD has a calming effect because it interacts with receptors in the central nervous system. And letting the CBD oil absorb underneath your tongue, rather than digesting CBD, will potentially allow you to feel those wellness benefits much faster.
CBD oil stimulates the ECS’s (endocannabinoid system) cannabinoid receptors, especially the CB1 and CB2 receptors when you take it. Depending on the exact receptors engaged and the amount of CBD in the oil, this interaction could have a variety of impacts on your body.
It’s important to remember that the effects of CBD oil can be different for each person, and additional research is needed to completely comprehend its mechanisms of action.
The use of CBD oil, however, has been praised by users for helping with a variety of illnesses, including chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
How Long Does CBD Oil Take to Work?
When you’re using the oil tincture or the oil spray, simply apply the CBD oil under your tongue and allow up to 2 minutes for it to be fully absorbed.
The CBD will then enter your bloodstream and will work faster than other methods of consuming CBD products, some people may feel the CBD faster than others, but usually around 15-20 minutes.
If you’re new to the CBD world, we recommend starting with 1 or 2 drops or sprays, and then slowly increasing your dosage when you’re comfortable but never exceed the daily dosage of 70mg of CBD per day.
What Are The CBD Effects?
You may have seen CBD oils say either ‘isolate’ or ‘distillate’, but to understand the effects of CBD oil, you need to understand which kind of CBD you’re consuming to know the possible benefits it has to offer.
CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate is made of Cannabidiol and only that, it is 99%+ pure, with no added extra compounds, making it the best CBD product for first-time CBD users.
Although CBD isolate does not produce the entourage effect, as it exclusively contains CBD, it may share many similar benefits to full-spectrum CBD and broad-spectrum CBD (our CBD isolate is certified THC-free!).
Knowing that all the components responsible for hemp’s flavour and aroma are removed during the production of CBD isolate is crucial. As a result, CBD isolate can be a bit bitter and slightly ‘hempy’ (except our CBD isolate oils infused with flavours for a more delicious CBD experience).
CBD isolate users like it for its soothing qualities and therapeutic possibilities. We already know that it interacts with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system to activate receptors in the brain and aid in the restoration of homeostasis – the natural balance of the body, which includes our mood, body temperature, water content, and other factors.
However, it has been linked to various long-term health benefits: many studies have indicated that CBD may have anti-inflammatory characteristics, ease chronic pain, aid in muscle recovery, and promote a good night’s sleep.
CBD Distillate
Full-spectrum or broad-spectrum oil, also known as CBD distillate, is a concentrated form of the entire hemp plant that contains 50%–70% CBD.
After the extraction process is complete and all potentially dangerous components have been eliminated, you will just have the distillate remaining from the hemp plant. Rest assured though, there won’t be any contaminants, pesticides, fertilisers, heavy metals or microbial in a CBD distillate.
This means that it has the same natural chemical balance as the hemp plant itself, leaving room for the remaining terpenes and other cannabinoids.
CBD distillate is a mood-altering chemical with potential medicinal effects including pain and nausea relief, inflammation reduction, and possibly treatment of several epileptic disorders.
So, depending on which CBD oil you are taking, you may experience different effects and benefits.
The beauty of full-spectrum or broad-spectrum oil lies in its ability to provide a holistic approach to wellness. By preserving the natural chemical composition of the hemp plant, CBD distillate offers a wider range of potential wellness benefits than CBD isolate.
CBD vs CBG
You may have also wondered ‘What is the difference between CBD and CBG?’ on your CBD oil journey, but before we answer this, let’s explain exactly what CBG is.
So what is CBG oil? Well, CBG stands for cannabigerol and it’s one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis and hemp plants.
CBG is a non-psychoactive compound which basically means it won’t get you “high”, unlike some other cannabinoids such as THC, and many predict it’s going to be the next big thing in the health and wellbeing industry.
CBG has limited research on it, but what has been found is various potential therapeutic side effects.
Despite sharing many therapeutic properties, CBG and CBD do differ in important ways.
The chemical structures of the two cannabinoids, for instance, are different, the bioavailability and receptor binding of the cannabinoid are both influenced by its molecular structure.
The way in which CBG and CBD activate receptors is also distinctive. In one investigation, the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor’s interactions with CBG and CBD were examined. While CBD has potent anti-nausea properties, acting like an agonist, CBG acts as an antagonist at that receptor.
Despite the fact that the two cannabinoids are similar, they have different actions on this particular receptor when attached to the same location.
So the difference in potential benefits is important to consider when choosing between CBD and CBG. Some research has found CBG could offer therapeutic benefits of fighting nausea, helping with neurologic disorders, stimulating appetite, regulating sleep, and calmness of the mind and fighting feelings of daily stress.
Whereas CBD could potentially help with pain relief, insomnia, reducing anxiety, and inflammation.
So, Does CBD Oil Actually Work?
So, does CBD oil actually work? Well, given the studies included in this and the reviews of the products, CBD oil could potentially help you with feelings of anxiety, stress, and pain, with CBD oil being one of the most effective ways of taking CBD.
And for anyone wondering, you cannot vape CBD oil. Vaping CBD oil is dangerous and harmful.
We hope this has now given you more insight into CBD oil, but if you’re new to CBD and unsure where to even start, there are CBD starter kits so you can try a blueberry-flavoured CBD oil tincture, CBD gummies, and a CBD disposable vape to see which method is best suited for you.