CBD can be used in a wide variety of ways. Some products are anecdotally believed to combat mental issues such as anxiety and depression; others that may help relieve pain; as well as others as a beauty ingredient.

With CBD becoming such a widespread component in a lot of different products, a lot of people are unsure about its safety and viability, especially due to its connection to the recreational drug, cannabis or weed. This article aims to explain what CBD is, how it’s made, and if it’s safe or not.

 

What is CBD?

CBD is just one of the many chemicals and cannabinoids that is present in the hemp plant used to make marijuana. It’s a naturally occurring substance, and is used in oils, balms, and edibles, and is attributed to the feeling of relaxation and calmness that consuming hemp can bring, as well as the numerous potential health benefits it may possess. Despite this, it plays no part in getting an individual ‘high’ when doing the drug, with THC being the culprit and main active ingredient in marijuana.

 

Is THC in CBD Products?

It can be, but only in incredibly small amounts, in fact, if a CBD product contains more than 0.3% of THC, then it’s illegal and shouldn’t be publicly available. This low number means that these products won’t have any psychedelic side-effects and makes them completely safe to consume and use.

However, it’s essential to make sure that whatever product you’re buying has been third party tested, to assure that the THC limit hasn’t been breached and that it’s of good quality. You can click here for a wide variety of reviews and information on some of the most popular CBD products to evaluate their effectiveness and the safety measures put in place by these professional companies to ensure that their oil is of the best quality.

 

What Safety Measures Are Put in Place?

Excellent quality and professional CBD producers will have plenty of measures in place in all aspects of their production to ensure that their oil is not only safe to use but also that of high quality.

It starts with how they grow the plants, with many making sure they’re noon-GMO and grown outdoors organically, without pesticides. This makes sure that the plant is healthy and isn’t developing any unwanted toxins. Some of the best products also ensure that they’re using the most optimal parts of the plant, particularly the mature stalks and leaves for their superior quality.

The method of extraction is another measure to ensure safety. A lot of homemade and illegal products utilize solvent extraction such as hydrocarbons to bring out the components of the plant and then evaporate the solution so that the oil is left behind. Not only is this extremely dangerous because these hydrocarbons are incredibly flammable, but this method can also extract other elements of the hemp plant like fat, toxins, and the dreaded THC, making the oil contaminated and potentially hazardous.

That’s why the best CBD producers use Co2 extraction, as it’s the safest and cleanest way get CBD. This method works by using a series of pressurized pumps and chambers to expose the supercritical CO2 to high pressure and low temperatures, which results in an oil extraction with a high content of CBD as much as 92% according to specific analysis. 

As said before, these products are then assessed by a third-party company, to make sure that the THC level is under the threshold and that there aren’t any nasty components within it.

 

Can it Go Wrong?

When using poor quality CBD oil, there is the potential of some side-effects that would be less than desirable, but this isn’t down to the CBD itself but more to the fact that the oil has been contaminated with another chemical. In some cases, it has caused hypotension and light-headedness in a small portion of people and can make you feel fatigued or more irritable.

It’s also unsafe when used with other medication, as it raises the levels of them, in the same way, that grapefruit juice does. Depending on the medication, this can be extremely dangerous, so it’s always best to be cautious when taking CBD and consult a doctor beforehand.

 

What are the Health Benefits of CBD?

The health benefits are still being figured out, as there’s a lot of research and testing going on around the product. However, there have been numerous studies that suggest that CBD may provide relief or be of benefit for specific conditions and ailments.

It’s believed to be good at providing relief to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, as it alters the way the brain interoperates serotonin, the chemical responsible for our mental health. By blocking other receptors in the brain, it’s also thought that it can provide some pain relief and may be particularly good with sprains and joint issues due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

This anti-inflammatory property also makes it an attractive potential solution for acne and spots, as well as its ability to block the production of sebum.

It’s also thought that it may be able to help heart issues and prolong heart health as it’s been suggested that it reduces blood pressure. It’s also used to help relieve nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy but is not a treatment for cancer itself.

It’s important to understand that research into the health benefits of CBD is still ongoing and that some products may not be as effective as first thought. That’s why it’s essential to always consider CBD and CBD products as a supplement and never us it as the sole treatment to illnesses and injuries.