The Ultimate Beginners Guide to CBD Oil

Tips For CBD Beginners

A-list celebrities and medical patients swear by it, while doctors and medical researchers are still trying to understand it. But one thing is for certain is that CBD is insanely popular right now, and for good reason. With a laundry list of benefits and healing powers that are still being discovered, CBD oil may just be the natural remedy you’ve been yearning for.

But for those who are curious about CBD oil and looking to give it a try, you probably have a ton of questions going through your mind, like “What even is CBD oil anyways?” and “Where do I even start?”

Before you dive right into the world of CBD and start to explore its many benefits, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what CBD is, what it’s used for, how to properly consume it, and, of course, proper dosing.

READ MORE: What Research Says About CBD Oil

That’s where we come in. To help you jumpstart your CBD journey, we’ve provided all the information you need to know about CBD oil so you can reap the benefits while using it responsibly.

What is CBD?

The short version is that Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a product that’s derived from cannabis. But more precisely, CBD is one of many chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that can be extracted to create an oil.

How Does it Compare to Straight Up Cannabis?

Pure cannabis contains both CBD and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), among other chemical compounds.

THC is the psychoactive compound that produces a high when cannabis is consumed, while CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that produces many therapeutic benefits.

When extracted and separated, CBD has many of the same medical benefits as pure cannabis, but without being psychoactive. Therefore, consuming CBD alone will allow you to experience these therapeutic benefits without getting high.

What It’s Used to Treat

Because of its many therapeutic benefits, CBD may be used to treat a wide variety of ailments and medical conditions, such as:

  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Insomnia
  • Heart conditions
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Parkinson’s
  • High blood pressure
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Acne
  • And more

READ MORE: Cannabinoids In Health And Disease

Other Specific Benefits

The reason CBD oil is so effective in treating the conditions mentioned earlier is that it has some pretty amazing healing properties which help with:

Pain Management

From joint and muscle pain to menstrual cramps and migraines, CBD helps with many different types of pain by reducing inflammation in the body, without the need for addictive prescription or over-the-counter pain medication.

Improved Anxiety and Depression

CBD is also incredibly beneficial for people suffering from anxiety and depression. While research is limited, many experts believe CBD has a positive effect on serotonin receptors in the brain, which can help to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Better Sleep

Struggling with insomnia but weary about sleep aids? CBD can help with that too. If you are experiencing insomnia due to external factors like stress, taking CBD in any form can help you feel more relaxed and fall asleep more easily.

How to Use CBD

Since CBD has exploded in popularity in recent years, we’ve been bombarded with new CBD products and methods of consuming CBD oil. However, the following methods remain the most common and effective ways to consume CBD:

  • Consuming CBD infused food and candies
  • Taking pills or capsules
  • Applying topical products
  • Smoking or vaping
  • Applying oil drops under the tongue
  • Dabbing

Which CBD Oil Is Best for You?

CBD isn’t a one size fits all solution, as there are three main types of CBD oil to consider.

1. Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

Full-spectrum oil doesn’t just contain CBD, but rather all the cannabinoids that are found in cannabis – including THC. However, this type of oil tends to have high CBD levels and minimal amounts of THC and other cannabinoids, which means it will produce little to no psychoactive effect. The main benefit of a full-spectrum CBD oil is that it is often more potent and effective compared to just straight-up CBD.

2. Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil

Similar to full-spectrum, broad-spectrum CBD oil contains all cannabinoids found in cannabis, except for THC. Therefore, broad-spectrum oil produces similar effects as full-spectrum, without the risk of a psychoactive effect from THC.

3. CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD oil and has the highest concentration of CBD compared to the other two types of oil. With CBD isolate, you will not experience any effects from other cannabinoids and can experience the full power of CBD.

How to Determine Your Ideal Dosage

If it’s your first time using CBD, start with a low dosage to see how your body reacts, and slowly increase your dose if needed.

Also, keep in mind that your ideal dosage depends on your method of consumption. For instance, most CBD oils come in 1 milligram per drop concentrations, while CBD gummies tend to come in higher doses like 5 milligrams per gummy. Therefore, when just starting out with CBD, be sure to follow your product’s recommended dose.

READ MORE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CANNABIDIOL DOSING IN CLINICAL POPULATIONS

Like cannabis, you can’t actually overdose on CBD, but you may experience some pretty unpleasant side effects if you take too much, such as nausea, fatigue, and dry mouth. For this reason, it’s important to educate yourself to make sure you’re using CBD safely and responsibly.

With that being said, now that you’re armed with all the information you need, you are ready to go out and start exploring the world of CBD. Enjoy!