7 Surprising Ways People Are Using CBD Oil—and What Doctors Really Think About It

7 Surprising Ways People Are Using CBD Oil—and What Doctors Really Think About It

Everywhere you click these days, it seems like someone on the internet is talking about cannabidiol—also known as CBD, a chemical compound derived from the cannabis plant. Online retailers market the extract (also known as hemp oil) as a remedy for a variety of ailments, celebrities swear by its healing powers, and the ingredient is popping up in nutritional supplements and beauty products, as well. There’s even a newFDA approved drug coming out in Sept derived from CBD.

Although cannabis can be used to make marijuana, CBD itself is non-psychoactive—meaning that it doesn’t get you high the way smoking or eating cannabis-related products containing THC (the plant's psychoactive compound) can. Still, there’s a lot doctors don’t know about CBD and its effects on the body, and a lot consumers should understand before trying it.

To get a better idea, we looked at the latest science and ran some of the most common CBD-related health and wellness claims by experts in the field. Here’s what researchers think about the way these products are being marketed, and what potential users should keep in mind.

To quit smoking - The results “suggest CBD to be a potential treatment for nicotine addiction,” the study authors wrote—but they also admit that their findings are preliminary. Ryan Vandrey, PhD, a cannabis researcher and associate professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University (who was not involved in the 2013 study), agrees that larger, longer-term studies are needed to know if CBD might be helpful for smokers looking to kick the habit.

For pain relief - CBD-derived topical drug provided pain relief to patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. CBD products may be worth a try—and that they do provide relief, even without the high that products with THC produce. CBD has fewer side effects than opioids or even non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can cause bleeding and other problems. “If I have an elderly patient with arthritis and a little bit of CBD can make their knees feel better, I’d prefer they take that than other drugs.”

In skincare products - CBD appears to have anti-inflammatory properties, which is one reason the beauty industry has championed it as a new anti-aging ingredient in many skincare products and spa treatments. A dermatologist based in New York City, recently stated that CBD oil is a rich source of fatty acids and other skin-healthy nutrients, and that it may improve hydration and minimize moisture loss. Additionally,there are a few studies that suggest CBD oil may inhibit the growth of acne. although this hypothesis has only been tested in laboratory cell cultures—not in actual humans as a blind study.

As a treatment for autism - Parents of autistic children may look to CBD as a potential treatment, but they should know that research in this area is really just beginning. CBD has been shown to interact with the body’s endo-cannabinoid system, a network in the brain that seems to play a role in social behavior, circadian rhythm, and reward processing—all of which can be atypical in people with autism. For that reason, researchers are excited about a study that’s about CBD’s potential as an autism therapy. But besides the fact that no human trials have been conducted on CBD for autism, there’s another reason for potential patients (and parents) to weigh their options carefully. Make sure whatever CBD you try, it has a low or NO THC in it.

To treat seizure disorders - “In terms of solid evidence, the one thing we really know about CBD is that it can be helpful for rare childhood seizure disorders, Clinical Trials have shown that the drug "Epidiolex"—a derivative of CBD—can help reduce seizures in children with two rare forms of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. In June, the FDA approved Epidiolex as the first prescription drug made from marijuana, for the treatment of these two conditions.

To fight cancer - When Olivia Newton-John wasdiagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2017, the actress’s daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi posted on Instagram that her mother was using CBD Oils as treatments. Lattanzi also wrote online that cannabis “has scientifically proven properties to inhibit cancer cell growth.” In other words, the mainstream medical community doesn't recommend marijuana or CBD products as a remedy for cancer. While these substances may relieve some side effects of cancer or of chemotherapy (like pain, nausea, and vomiting), they should not be used as a replacement for conventional, research-proven treatments, but be in addition to !

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