If you want to know about the popularity of CBD, just go through the report. That is an undeniable sign of the intense interest in the cannabis extract CBD. If you go through the marketing hype, almost anything that ails you can be treated with CBD. There have been claims that it treats cancer, reduces Alzheimer's, decreases pain, and eases various psychological issues, including PTSD, psychosis, and anxiety.

But the question arises, is CBD really that helpful? It’s a big question mark, and scientists are still finding a satisfactory answer free from hype and error. As per Dr. Aaron J. Przybysz, a Ph.D. in pharmacology and an assistant professor of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care at the UCI School of Medicine, “You can’t make those claims — most of it is just advertising,”

What is CBD?

Of the more than 100 cannabinoid chemicals found in the cannabis plant, cannabidiol or CBD is the second most prevalent. It is produced as oil and lacks the psychoactive qualities of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a different cannabis molecule that causes a high. The endocannabinoid system in the body, which manages a variety of processes, is influenced by CBD.

Is CBD Effective?

The FDA formed a working group and held a public hearing to assess the scientific support for the use of CBD and the best way to assure public safety. Simultaneously, a billion-dollar industry has developed around the sale of CBD, which is available in the form ofCBD gummies,vapes, drinks, andCBD tinctures, among other products.

The lack of scientific support for CBD use is primarily a result of politics. According to Kevin Boehnke, Ph.D., research investigator in the department of anesthesiology and the Michigan Medicine Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, “Cannabis has been a Schedule 1 drug for a long time, which has limited the type of research needed to figure out how best to use it therapeutically,”

Drugs under Schedule 1 are defined as carrying no (currently accepted) medical usage and a high chance for abuse.

However, he points out that marijuana has been used as a medical plant for thousands of years. In actuality, rheumatism, or arthritis, was one of the earliest documented uses of cannabis. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cannabis compounds were frequently applied as medications.

Moreover, a significant portion of the scientific literature on CBD supports its use as a therapy for pediatric epilepsy. The FDA authorized Epidiolex, a CBD-based medication, to treat pediatric epilepsy problems in 2018.

Epidiolex was classified as Schedule V, the least restrictive drug schedule with the least chance of abuse.

CBD for Pain Management

Some early studies suggest CBD might aid in the management of pain. However, more research, such as large-scale, high-quality clinical trials, is still required. As per astudy, researchers evaluated CBD’s pain-relieving effects in seven people who experienced chronic pain after having kidney transplants. Six participants out of seven experienced improvements in pain.

CBD for Inflammation

Although the majority of research on CBD's use has been conducted on animals, scientists think the findings could have therapeutic implications. As per astudy, the researchers found that topical CBD gel reduced joint swelling and pain in rats. Also, there were no significant side effects.

How To Use CBD Safely?

Evaluating CBD products' quality can be challenging because they are generally unregulated. Choosing which delivery method or product will most likely be beneficial is another difficult decision. But here are some advice:

Avoid smoking or vaping

The lungs are harmed by smoking, regardless of what it is. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention claim that a recent outbreak of lung disease has been linked to vaping.

Buy from reliable vendors

Beware! CBD products like vitamins and other supplements aren't 100% regulated or FDA-approved to treat a disease. So, choose products that have undergone independent third-party testing. Also, look for brands people vouch for their reliability, such asMilk of the Gods.

Go slow

Over a few weeks, gradually raise your dosage when you begin to get symptom relief. Keep track of your symptoms to see whether CBD is a valuable component of your treatment approach.

Final Words

CBD's usefulness for various illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety, and depression, is still being studied. The correct dosages, long-term side effects, and harmful drug interactions will all need to be determined by additional research. However, as per Przybysz, “I do tell people that we’ve had more than 47,000 opioid deaths in the United States in 2017 alone, but to my knowledge, there has never been a death related to the use of CBD”. So, to make CBD work effectively, it is always recommended to talk to your doctor first.