CBD And How It Works
Unless you are just now coming out of a year-long mountain retreat, you’ve probably heard of CBD and potential beneficial properties.
There are CBD infused beverages to help you focus, vapes, and flowers to help you relax, and even CBD doggie treats to help make your furry companion less anxious. With such a versatile arsenal of CBD products out on the market,
I bet you’ve caught yourself thinking: “What the heck is CBD actually, and how does CBD work?” Fear not! We have all the info you need gathered up right here.
Read on for answers to questions like how does CBD work, how long does it take for CBD oil to work, and more!
What is CBD and How Does CBD Work?
CBD is one of the cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis plants. Unlike its famous cousin THC, CBD does not produce a euphoric effect or a high.
CBD is also not considered habit-forming and with the passing of 2018’s Farm Bill has been deemed legal on the federal level.[1]
Now get ready to roll up your sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of CBD science. So, how does CBD work?
It is believed CBD can provide an array of helpful influences by supporting the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).
The ECS is the system in the body that is responsible for keeping things balanced and all processes running smoothly. For example, ECS helps maintain the nervous and immune systems.[2]
ECS has a network of receptors located throughout the body and uses endocannabinoids to send messages from the receptors to the brain.
CBD is remarkably similar to endocannabinoids, and it is believed that supplying the ECS with CBD increases its functionality.
Phew, now that the how does CBD work question has been answered, let’s check out its different uses and applications.
Different CBD Applications
There is both anecdotal and study based evidence that suggests CBD could be helpful with things like chronic pain, inflammation, insomnia, and mood.
Does CBD oil work for anxiety? Just take a peek at this study!
One study found that CBD binds with serotonin receptors in the brain, which could help mood and anxiety.[3]
Scientists also discovered that administering CBD 30 minutes prior to a speaking engagement significantly lowered social anxiety in human subjects.[4]
If you are trying to figure out how long it takes for CBD to start working to alleviate anxiety, keep in mind that different methods of ingesting CBD deliver differently timed results.
Vaping CBD is one of the quickest ways of delivering it to the brain, so the general consensus is that this is the best method to make CBD oil work for anxiety relief.
CBD has also been gaining popularity for the management of chronic pain and inflammation. A study in the European Journal of Pain found that using CBD in arthritic patients lowered their inflammation markers.[5]
Another study found that CBD was able to influence 5HTP levels in the brain, thus reducing pain sensations in subjects.[6]
How long does it take for CBD to work for pain?
This again depends on the method of delivery. Speaking of which, let’s dive into all the wonderful ways you can enjoy CBD, shall we?
How Long Does It Take For CBD Oil To Work?
The speed at which the body absorbs a substance is called bioavailability. And CBD’s bioavailability depends on the form in which it is taken.
For example, CBD infused foods and beverages have to first pass through the digestive tract. This significantly lowers CBD’s bioavailability.
The slower absorption rate also means that CBD stays in your body for a longer period of time.
Do edible products like CBD gummies work for pain?
Yes, they could be a good option for someone looking to keep a consistent low dose of CBD in their system for pain or inflammation management.
To figure out how long does it take for CBD oil to work for pain and inflammation, consider the time it would take to digest the CBD infused food or beverage.
Another popular way of using CBD for pain and inflammation is CBD balms, lotions, and creams.
When trying to estimate how long does it take for CBD oil to work if applied to the skin, researchers noted the following.
When applied directly to the skin, CBD immediately bonds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the skin and sends a pain-relieving message to the brain. This way, CBD cream works to alleviate pain and provide inflammation relief.
Does CBD Affect Blood Work?
CBD oil should not show up in any bloodwork.
However, if a CBD product also contains THC, it could present a problem for someone trying to avoid cannabis markers in their bloodwork.
Pure CBD, however, does not affect blood work.
Does CBD need THC to work?
There have been some studies that suggest that THC and CBD combined may offer stronger benefits.
With that said, there are many benefits one could receive from products that contain only CBD.
Final Thoughts
Because CBD is a relatively new addition to natural medicine, there are still many questions about its potential benefits.
It is exciting to know that both anecdotal and study based evidence points to CBD’s potential ability to help with pain, anxiety, and mood.
When armed with sufficient information, you can pick the product that fits your needs.
[1] https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/2018-farm-bill
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2241751/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697769/
[4] https://www.nature.com/articles/npp20116?foxtrotcallback=true
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/