Some people see CBD as a silver bullet for a variety of things – it helps – but is it medicine?
Amazon has hundreds of CBD products and the CBD companies make claims that it can help on a wide variety of things – but is medicine? After being discovered in 1940, CBD has been used for a variety of aches and ailments. While it is proven helpful, is CBD medicine?
Scientists are still learning about how CBD affects the body. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a medicine that contains purified CBD from hemp, to help treat seizure disorders like epilepsy. The FDA has concluded that this drug is safe and effective for this intended use. However, other marketed products and uses of CBD may not be FDA approved.
Since CBD is an approved prescription drug, it can’t be legally included in foods or dietary supplements. CBD can only be included in “cosmetic” products. But there are still CBD products on the market that are labeled as dietary supplements.
The reasoning behind the FDA not expanding or ruling on CBD is they have not found adequate evidence to determine how much CBD can be consumed, and for how long, before causing harm. Therefore, the do not intend to pursue rulemaking allowing the use of CBD in dietary supplements or conventional foods. So basically more research before they put on the stamp of approval.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when taking CBD is expecting an immediate fix. Often, people take CBD and expect it to work like a drug: noticeably and immediately. But CBD is less like Tylenol and more like a good exercise regimen — it can take a while before you notice a difference.
Using CBD regularly is the key to experiencing its benefits. If you’re using CBD and you’re not sure why you haven’t noticed a difference yet, here are some things to consider.
You Need to Use CBD Consistently
If you’re using CBD (or cannabinoid preparations of any kind), consistency is essential. The majority of successful studies on CBD involve giving the participants a daily dose of CBD, not a once-off dose. Often, these studies span weeks or months. So you have to decide on your commitment and should ask your nurse or doctor about your plan.
Most experts advise that CBD takes a while to build up in the system. For this reason, you can’t expect immediate results after a single dosage.
How Long Will it Take for CBD to Work?
Anecdotally, some CBD users start noticing a difference after a minimum of five days of regular use. Some people use it for three weeks before they fully feel the benefits of CBD.
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Tips for Boosting the Effects of CBD
Some recommend using CBD with a high-fat meal. A 2016 study found that fat helps absorb more CBD, increasing the bioavailability from less than 10% to around 30%. In other words, fat helps your body absorb and use CBD.
For a bonus, add a little black pepper. An animal study found that CBD levels in the bloodstream were six times higher when it was taken with piperine, which is found in black pepper.
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It is also import to keep track on when and how often you take it. Whether you write it down on a piece of paper or use your Notes app, try to record your daily dosage of CBD. When you’re new to CBD, this can help you learn what your body needs while you figure out your ideal dosage. Since no two bodies are alike, only you can hear what your body is saying.
As scientists do more research, more will be discovered about what CBD can and can not do, but we do know it has some benefits and it might be able to help you.
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