Even though the cannabis plant has been used for thousands of years, it wasn’t until the early 1900s that people began to really take notice. In fact, medical use of cannabis was limited mainly to patients with cancer and other serious illnesses.
When marijuana was made illegal in 1937, it remained widely available as a recreational drug for decades but also became the focus of many studies. With the discovery of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, scientists quickly found their way into understanding how this plant worked on the body.
Although there are more than 400 cannabinoids (chemical compounds) in cannabis, only one, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, is considered to be responsible for the psychoactivity of the plant.
Meanwhile, another cannabinoid called cannabidiol or CBD hasn’t received nearly as much attention, even though it may have some benefits for treating certain health conditions. For example, research suggests that CBD could treat epilepsy, anxiety, inflammation, and depression.
CBD hemp capsules is a chemical compound found naturally in the hemp plant. It doesn’t get you “high,” but it does interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS regulates everything from your appetite to your mood to your sleep cycle. That makes it important to understand what role CBD plays in the regulation of our bodies.
The human body contains about 60 trillion cells, and each cell communicates with its neighboring cells through chemical signals, such as hormones. The ECS helps regulate these chemical messages by producing chemicals called endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are like neurotransmitters, meaning they carry information between cells. One of the most common types of endocannabinoids is anandamide, which is produced after eating food or drinking water.
Endocannabinoids help keep us healthy by sending chemical messages to your brain so you can feel happy, relaxed, and content. However, if you don’t produce enough endocannabinoids, you might experience anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, or other problems. And if too many endocannabinoids are released, you might feel hungry all day long or experience pain.
What Is CBD Oil?
So far, we know that the ECS produces two main endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG, which both affect your mood and behavior. When you consume CBD products, they either attach to receptors in your body or affect how they work.
For instance, CBD oil attaches to CB1 receptors in the brain, which are associated with feelings of relaxation and happiness. CBD oil can also attach to CB2 receptors, which play a pivotal role in regulating your immune system. These receptors work in tandem with other receptors to help control inflammation and pain.
CBD oil can also attach to TRPV1 receptors and inhibit them, which means you won’t feel as much pain when you eat spicy foods, drink hot liquids, or touch something cold or hot. This is why CBD oil can relieve pain caused by arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and other conditions.
If you’re not sure whether CBD capsules will work for you, there are some things you should know before buying.
Can CBD Capsules Be Used for Medical Purposes?
Yes, CBD capsules can be used for medical purposes, including managing chronic pain and reducing stress. But, because there aren’t any clinical trials proving the effectiveness of CBD capsules at helping manage specific conditions, it’s hard to say whether they would actually work for you. However, a recent study found that people who were prescribed CBD capsules experienced less anxiety and depression compared to those taking placebo pills.
Because the FDA is still working out the regulations around CBD products, it’s possible that some products will be recalled due to contamination issues. It’s also possible that companies will start selling CBD capsules that aren’t manufactured according to quality standards set forth by the FDA.
As we learn more about CBD, we’ll likely see more studies confirming the efficacy of CBD capsules in helping people manage specific health conditions. So far, the evidence suggests that CBD capsules may be just as effective as CBD oils for managing certain psychological disorders.
Are CBD Capsules Safe?
Yes, CBD capsules are safe to use if they meet the following criteria:
You’ve never had a bad reaction to taking CBD supplements
Your doctor prescribes a daily dose of CBD
You stay consistent with taking your daily dose
You haven’t taken any other medications within the past 72 hours
You don’t have any health condition that requires you to avoid taking CBD
You don’t smoke cigarettes
However, since we don’t have all the scientific data yet, we recommend talking to your doctor before starting a new supplement regimen.
It’s also worth mentioning that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recently announced plans to reclassify CBD as a Schedule 1 substance, which means that CBD products wouldn’t need approval from the government before being sold or distributed. This raises questions about the legality of importing CBD products from overseas.
While CBD capsules may be helpful for certain health conditions, it’s best to talk to your doctor first. Your doctor might ask you to try different forms of CBD products instead, depending on your needs.
