
Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a natural remedy made from extracting oil from hemp leaves, stems, and flowers. The oil is made from the same extracts, Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa.
CBD, however, unlike its counterpart tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is non-intoxicating, meaning it does not get you “high.”
Although both THC and CBD interact with endocannabinoid receptors in the body, CBD does not have psychoactive effects – meaning that CBD use will not lead to potential dependence or abuse.
If you have been looking for help with taking CBD oil, this guide is what you need.
What Is CBD Oil Used For?
CBD oil is known to have several medical benefits; you can use it to treat internal and external illnesses or medical conditions.
Some ailments that people regularly use CBD oil for include but are not limited to:
- Pain relief
- Anxiety and stress
- Sleeping disorders
- Epilepsy
- Acne and other skin related issues
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
You can learn more about how to use CBD oil here.
How to Use CBD Oil
There is a wide variety of CBD products available in commercial and retail shops. CBD can now be found in products like food, body lotions, coffee, tablets, and the list goes on.
The broad scope of products means that there are many ways you can use CBD oil.
CBD oil offers a broad scope of benefits to consumers. Many CBD oil users have admitted to using the oil to treat all kinds of conditions, severe and benign.
You should use CBD responsibly at all times. Minimise your CBD intake dosage to fall within the 600 mg to 1,500 mg recommended safety profile.
Now, here are some of the best ways to take CBD oil in South Africa:
- Edibles
- Tincture
- Topicals
- Capsule
- Vape pen
Edibles
Edibles are made for oral consumption. The taste of CBD edibles depends on the type of food you consume. You can consume CBD in sweet treats, coffee, salads, smoothies, cocktails, etc.
Many CBD oils have a strong, earthy odor and taste. However, some edibles, such as CBD gummies and brownies, do well at covering up the pungent taste of cannabis.
Tincture
You can consume CBD oil using a tincture. A tincture is a concentration of herbal extracts made by soaking the herbs in ethanol or alcohol for a few weeks. Tinctures are commonly sold in glass droppers, a perfect way to take CBD oil drops.
The most popular method of ingesting a tincture is by dripping two to three drops of CBD oil under your tongue and holding it there for a few minutes. That part of your mouth is capillary-rich, meaning the CBD will be absorbed into your bloodstream faster.
Topicals
Unlike edibles and tinctures, topicals are not consumed orally. Topicals are exclusively designed to be applied directly to your skin. Various products such as lip balms, facial creams, body lotions, and oils are all examples of CBD oil topicals.
What is excellent about topicals is that they can be applied directly to a specified area to ease pain or treat localized skin conditions.
Capsule
One of the most effective ways to consume CBD oil is by drinking a capsule. Capsules work excellently if you want to maintain a consistent amount of CBD in your body. People who use CBD often use this method to treat various medical conditions, like anxiety, pain, nausea, sleep disorder, epilepsy, migraines, cancer, lung disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and many others.
A CBD capsule works much slower than the tincture, and you are likely to feel the effects between 30 and 40 minutes.
Vape Pen
If you are a smoker, or casually flirt with the idea, vaping is the best way to smoke CBD oil. When inhaled through a CBD oil vaporizer, CBD rapidly passes into the bloodstream – therefore making the vaping process quite effective. CBD oil-infused vape pen users often feel the calming effects after only a few minutes.
The pen is discreet and dispels a minimal amount of smoke. Unlike tobacco and marijuana, the CBD oil-infused vape pen flavors come in a wide variety. The vape pen flavors are usually fruit-based, giving off a pleasant odor.
CBD Oil Benefits
Some key benefits of CBD oil include:
Pain Relief
A 2021 study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reveals that you may use CBD oil for pain relief caused by heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
The study surveyed 253 participants, of which 59.0% responded to CBD helping them with their pain. To learn more about the results of the survey, click here.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a common mental health condition often associated with stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other neurological disorders. CBD receptors are known to alter serotonin glands – serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in your mental health.
Researchers reveal that CBD can regulate a person’s social behaviour and overall mood by altering their brain’s serotonin receptors. CBD has also been proven to drastically reduce physiological signs of anxiety, like increased heart rate, panicking, and hyperventilation.
Skin Problems
Another study by the NCBI reveals that CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties that may help treat acne, dryness, itching and reduce the potential of developing harsher skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
You can also use CBD oil to reduce the appearance of ageing and wrinkles.
Cancer
To date, researchers have not produced any significant facts on the effectiveness of CBD oil use for cancer treatment. They have found, however, that the compound contains properties that can manage some cancer symptoms and treatment side effects.
The National Cancer Institute published a paper on the effects of CBD oil use by cancer patients; read more of the report here.
CBD Oil Side Effects
Using CBD oil attracts a fair share of side effects; hence you should always consume CBD oil with caution.
Here are some commonly known side effects of CBD oil:
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Changes in weight
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
Conclusion
Although the medical use of CBD oil in the home is not well-researched, many surveys conducted on ordinary people have revealed that a large percentage of participants admit to experiencing a positive reaction to CBD oil treatment.