CBD is a relatively popular treatment option in the supplement and alternative medicine world at this time. Known for its anxiety-reducing and sleep-aid effects, as well as its potential to possibly alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, CBD has seen an upswing in popularity and can be found in a wide range of products, from oils and tinctures to creams and gummies. CBD is not currently regulated by the FDA, as it is considered a supplement, which has led to a lack of overall studies on the effectiveness of this supplement.

At a Glance

At the tip of this conflict are various companies claiming that CBD is a miracle cure for a wide range of diseases. While CBD may be effective for small-scale inflammation or to calm anxiety, the FDA has warned companies about their products, including the presence of Delta-8 THC. No products in the United States that contain this compound have been approved by the FDA, as it is known to have psychoactive and intoxicating impacts. The FDA has also warned against false advertising, as many companies claim their products can cure or prevent diseases with no actual research to back it up.

It is worth noting that while CBD has been said to be helpful on an individual basis, there are no strong studies positively linking the product to its health claims, with the exception of Epidiolex, which is a prescription seizure drug and has been approved by the FDA.

While many health claims associated with CBD are largely benign (such as aiding sleep or reducing your anxiety levels), that does not mean this product comes without small risks. Any medication or supplement should be discussed with your doctor prior to use, to ensure there are no adverse reactions or medication interactions to be avoided.

What Can CBD Treat?

As mentioned above, there is a lack of scientifically rigorous studies around CBD and its effectiveness for various conditions. While this lack of study is largely due to the complicated legality of testing cannabinoid products in the United States, it is hard to prove the efficacy of CBD for any condition until medical research catches up with the products. It is always best to consult with a medical provider before attempting to treat any condition with a supplement or non-FDA-approved treatment option.

However, some small studies have shown that CBD may be effective in helping manage anxiety, insomnia, and in some cases, inflammation and pain. While these studies mention that CBD alone will not fully cure these conditions, nor is CBD the main treatment line of defense, there is something to be said for the quality-of-life increase reported by many patients on the medication.

Thankfully, CBD products used in the United States must have an incredibly low amount of THC present, meaning that these products are not psychoactive, and are considered benign. If you are looking to treat any condition with CBD, be sure to do your research and talk to professionals to ensure you are making the right health choice for your unique needs.

What CBD Products Are There?

CBD comes in a wide range of forms, from oils and topical solutions to gummies and inhalers. While the effectiveness of these products is yet to be proven, and they are not approved by the FDA, an increase in overall 3rd party screening for CBD products has shown a boost in safety surrounding these supplements.

What this means is that while it is always best to do your own research before investing in a supplement, CBD products legally sold in the United States are unlikely to contain THC or other psychoactive cannabinoid chemicals, meaning that these products are unlikely to cause the intoxicant effects associated with other cannabis products. Of course, as evidenced by the FDA crackdown on distributors of CBD products, it is always best to go with a trusted distributor and make sure that all CBD products you are purchasing are legal in your state and manufactured somewhere with strict quality guidelines in place.

Where Can I Buy CBD?

Depending on where you live, purchasing CBD products can be complicated. While there is a lack of universal legislation on CBD products in the United States, each individual state has its own rules and guidelines regarding the sale and possession of CBD products. Although it is incredibly unlikely that you will get in legal trouble for being in possession of CBD oil, if your products contain unapproved levels of THC, you may be putting yourself in a complicated position.

In most cases, online distributors are the easiest way to find CBD products, as well as local health food and supplement stores. Be sure to do your research when looking for online CBD products to fit your needs, and go with a distributor that looks trustworthy. As it is always best to talk to your medical team before starting a new supplement or treatment, be sure to ask if there is a CBD provider they recommend.

In many cases, it can take some time to find a CBD product that works for your unique needs, as the wide range of products available may be helpful for different cases, and the difference between ingestible products versus topical creams can make finding the right dosage difficult. Once again, talk to your healthcare team to find the right dose and product for you.

Conclusion

While there is a lack of medical evidence to back up the use of CBD oil for many ailments, the warning issued by the FDA points to a growing awareness of CBD products and an increase in regulations for the products themselves. This in turn points to a growing level of quality assurance associated with CBD products and indicates that choosing the right CBD distributor is more important than ever. While CBD is not approved to treat major illnesses and is highly unlikely to provide a “miracle cure” to ailments, it may help improve your quality of life and will continue to garner further research as it remains on the market.