What Is CBD and Why Is It So Popular?
You’ve likely come across cannabidiol, or CBD, in your health and wellness searches. This naturally occurring compound, derived from hemp, has rapidly gained popularity for its purported benefits, which range from alleviating insomnia to supporting diabetes management. In fact, many individuals have turned to CBD as a potential solution for chronic conditions like migraine headaches.
CBD is typically consumed in various forms, such as oils, topical creams, or even vaporized as an inhalant. But what exactly is CBD, and how does it work?
Understanding CBD
While CBD is a component of the marijuana plant, it is primarily extracted from hemp, a cousin of marijuana. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound in marijuana, CBD is non-intoxicating and will not get you high. The surge in CBD’s popularity can be traced back to the signing of the Farm Bill by President Trump, which legalized the cultivation of hemp and allowed CBD to become more accessible nationwide.
The Growing Interest in CBD
CBD’s applications in health and wellness have been growing rapidly, with one FDA-approved prescription drug derived from CBD used to treat rare forms of childhood epilepsy. However, much of the information available about CBD’s benefits stems from personal testimonials and animal studies, which have yet to be fully proven in human trials.
What We Know About CBD’s Impact
Though the hype around CBD is undeniable, the science behind it remains somewhat unclear. According to a post from Harvard Health, researchers have yet to fully understand how CBD interacts with the brain or which dosage and delivery method work best. For example, placing a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue may provide around 10 milligrams of CBD, but experts suggest that you might need much higher doses—sometimes up to 30 times more—to achieve noticeable effects like stress relief.
Since CBD products are primarily sold as supplements, they do not undergo the rigorous evaluation process that pharmaceuticals do. As a result, consumers may not always know how much CBD is actually in their product, and the FDA does not regulate the safety or efficacy of these products.
The Bottom Line: CBD’s Promising Future
Despite these uncertainties, the CBD market continues to thrive, and many people have experienced firsthand benefits from using it. The CBD revolution is in full swing, but it’s important to be cautious and informed. Research is still ongoing, and while CBD may hold potential for addressing various health concerns, more scientific studies are needed to definitively understand its full range of effects.
As the market continues to evolve, so will our understanding of how CBD can play a role in supporting overall wellness.