With how traditional drugs have gained a bad reputation over the years, people have started to look for other alternative methods of treatment to replace anti-inflammatories, painkillers, and sleeping pills. Among the most popular options nowadays, we can say that CBD is one of the most supported.
With that said, some doubts might make people reluctant from trying certain CBD-based products, and considering that it is heavily related to medicinal cannabis, it is understandable. However, there are big differences between CBD-based medication and medicinal cannabis that commonly makes them much more reliable.
One of the most important aspects of consuming CBD medication for the first time is understanding what it is and how safe it can be for people. Since it can be used to treat multiple conditions, it is also important to understand its benefits so you can decide whether it is worth trying it or not.
Another aspect to have in mind is that there are multiple presentations of medications derived from CBD. Although each one is capable of providing the same results, some of them are consumed differently and provide effects that differ in time of action, intensity, and duration.
For that reason, in this article, we will talk about how CBD and medicinal cannabis are related, their main difference, and which products you should pick based on your circumstances. That being said, let’s jump right into it.
Medicinal Cannabis and CBD Medication
CBD is the short name of cannabidiol, a compound that can be found inside the cannabis plant’s chemical structure. Along with THC, the acronym for tetrahydrocannabinol, these two are the main compounds inside the cannabis plant. Although we can indeed say that there are many more compounds, both cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol are the protagonists of this tale.
The reason is simple: they are the ones capable of granting the health benefits of medicinal cannabis. The main difference between the two, although they are both very capable of being alternatives methods of treatment, is that THC is actually psychotropic, while CBD is not.
This is essential to know because a lot of people are afraid of medicinal cannabis just because of its psychotropic capabilities, even though it has been used as an analgesic and form of treatment ever since ancient times. Cannabidiol-based medication is incapable of getting people high just because it contains really low levels of THC.
This is due to the fact that CBD medication is created using a derivation of the cannabis plant that contains incredibly low levels of THC, and much higher levels of CBD: the hemp plant.
The hemp plant only contains THC levels that reach 0.3% of its chemical structure and has around 12% of CBD, thus, making all medication derived from this plant, a THC-free alternative.
Actual Health Benefits of Cannabidiol
Now let’s talk about the actual benefits of cannabidiol. Just like medicinal cannabis, the main reason people use Cannabidiol products is that it is capable of alleviating pain and reducing inflammation to a great extent, even being claimed as one of the best choices for dealing with arthritis and other similar inflammatory diseases.
Along with that, since the hemp plant enters the category of Indica, it is also capable of providing relaxing effects that can aid people when it comes to stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and sleeping disorders. I myself have some experience with cannabidiol and insomnia, and I would dare to say that consuming it to deal with my insomnia has been one of the best choices of my life.
The main reason why people are preferring cannabidiol over medications like sleeping disorders, painkillers, and anti-inflammatories (Myself included) is that it is rather safe in comparison to these options.
You see, I have had a very nasty experience with sleeping pills. They made it harder for me to focus on things and ended up causing me depression. Other medications can cause similar results, and even cause addiction and liver damage.
Cannabidiol medication, on the other hand, is rather safe and doesn’t cause as many problems, and although it can cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea, and it can react poorly if combined with specific medications, these can be easily controlled if you are careful about its intake. That is why you should always start with small doses and do your research regarding compatibility between the medication you already consume and cannabidiol.
Choosing the Right CBD Product.
There are many presentations, as shown at https://www.cnet.com/health/cbd-products-explained/. Each presentation of cannabidiol is capable of providing the expected results, but they all work differently. Among the most commonly chosen options, we have:
- Oils and tinctures
- Capsules
- Edibles
- Smokable Strains and vaping oils
Although some of these choices are fairly similar, let’s discuss what are the main differences between each option so you can decide for yourself which one is better for your specific circumstances.
Oils and Tinctures
These two options are the most recommended for beginners, just because it is very easy to come up with a very specific dose thanks to droppers, and this of course is perfect for avoiding side effects. They are regularly one of the most affordable options and are one of the most long-lasting as well.
They usually take 15 to 30 minutes to kick in, provide an intermediate-level effect and last for around 3 to 5 hours.
Edibles
Edibles include things like gummies, baked goods, and candies. These provide an identical effect to oils and tinctures, as well as capsules. The biggest difference between these options is that they tend to be more expensive and have to be consumed before their expiration date, but they are also much more delicious and can be enticing for some people because of their tasty nature.
Capsules
Capsules are usually encapsulated oil products, and they work just the same. They are long-lasting and rather affordable, just like these cheefbotanicals pills option. The thing about them is that, because each capsule has a set amount of oil, for some people, it is far easier to track its intake, so it might be better for those who dislike the idea of using a dropper.
Smokable Strains and Vaping Oils
Smokable strains are cannabidiol flowers that can be smoked either using a pipe or through the use of papers. Vaping oils require a vaping device to be consumed. These ones are by far the most different out of all choices because of the way they are consumed, and the effect they provide.
Smoking cannabidiol usually provides an effect after 5 to 15 minutes, and although the effects are shorter (around 1 to 2 hours) it is a much stronger effect capable of greatly alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, or inducing sleep and relaxation. This is why these are usually recommended for people with severe conditions that require a fast and stronger effect.
