CBD Oil Benefits: How Can CBD Help You?

Introduction

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid from the cannabis sativa plant. CBD has many benefits that are being explored in recent scientific trials. Human studies and anecdotal surveys of CBD users have shown that it may benefit a wide range of issues from stress, aches and pains, and more with very few side effects.¹ Various animal studies lead researchers to suggest that CBD may also benefit your pets!²

With CBD in the forefront of health news today, let's answer the question once and for all: what are the benefits of using CBD oil?

What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

Cannabidiol (CBD)³ is one of over a hundred chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. These compounds, called phytocannabinoids, mimic the cannabinoid compounds found in the human body, or endocannabinoids.⁴ These compounds bind to cannabinoid receptors in a network overlaying the central nervous system called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, discovered in 1992 by researchers at Hebrew University.⁵

The ECS helps bring calm to the body as it works to achieve homeostasis and internal balance.⁶Studies of the ECS have also shown it to be a possible alternative solution for controlling a myriad of other issues.⁷ Phytocannabinoids from the hemp plant can supplement the ECS to help balance it out, so it's no surprise that human studies and clinical trials suggest that CBD oil may help reduce stress and discomfort in the body.⁸

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is a manufactured product that starts with the flowers of the hemp plant.⁹ Hemp flowers produce a sticky resin to attract pollen. This resin contains cannabinoids. In full-strength marijuana, the dominant cannabinoid is THC. But in hemp plants, the THC content is below 0.3%, and it is mostly comprised of CBD.¹⁰

To transform hemp flower into CBD oil, a processor extracts the cannabinoids from the flowers, and then blends the extract with a carrier oil. While the general process is always similar, brands differ in what part of the plant they use as a source, which extraction method they use, and the carrier they use to blend with the hemp extract. MCT coconut oil is a popular vehicle to carry CBD into the system because of its smaller molecules increase its bio-availability.

What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil?

Now that you know what CBD oil is and where it comes from, let's talk about the effects of CBD, and what potential CBD benefits people might experience. At Cornbread Hemp, we must be very careful how we speak about specific health issues and what the effects of CBD may be. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rigorous stipulations concerning supplements in order to protect consumers from false medical claims.

As of 2020, the FDA has not yet issued regulations on CBD products that were legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill.¹¹ The FDA has approved at least one drug formulated with CBD isolate. But makers of full spectrum hemp extract products, like Cornbread Hemp, are still waiting for the FDA's guidance on how to responsibly discuss the benefits of CBD.

This delay in regulations makes it more difficult for consumers to learn the effects of CBD and potential CBD benefits. Also, the delay creates a confusing environment, where con artists and snake oil salesmen are able to profit from consumer ignorance.

At Cornbread Hemp, we make a good faith effort to educate and inform consumers about the benefits of CBD oil without making any product label claims that the FDA might find objectionable. With that in mind, here’s our Benefits of CBD Oil list. Please keep in mind, this website is for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Everyday Stresses

Simply put, life is stressful. Stress can be beneficial or harmful, depending on the circumstances. When stress becomes chronic, it can result in pain and inflammation. How can we prevent this cycle of stress and promote better mental health? 

There are many natural alternatives to reducing stress, such as exercise and movement. But some stress-relieving tactics, like alcohol and tobacco, can have serious negative health effects. Even some medications traditionally recommended for stress reduction can have intrusive side effects, or can become harmful or addictive over time.

For a more natural approach, a dose of CBD oil added to your daily routine may help provide relief from oxidative stress. If you need help adding CBD into your daily routine check out our free CBD Journal where you can track your progress. Human studies show that the effects of CBD interacting with your body’s ECS can be extraordinary. CBD oil may increase receptor activity, resulting in positive health benefits like relief from inflammation, tension, and stress.¹²

Inflammation

Inflammation can be terribly destructive to the body in a number of ways. Physical stress from exercise or strenuous working conditions can cause inflammation in muscles and joints. In addition to our USDA certified organic CBD oils, many customers rely on our 500mg CBD lotion with menthol. This lotion absorbs quickly and penetrates deep into the tissue to tackle discomfort where it starts.

Emotional stress can cause inflammation, too. Over time, this inflammation can become chronic and could cause the body to be more susceptible to disease.¹³ Many CBD users have found that CBD oil helps to support their mental health, based on anecdotal reports and a growing body of scientific evidence from clinical trials and animal studies.

A Sense of Calm

CBD oil may help acutely, meaning right away, for an isolated event—such as a public presentation or a call with your boss. In those moments CBD may help you to relax and think clearly. Taking CBD regularly has been said to provide balance between the highs and lows of daily life. This balance will provide the calm needed to enjoy your day and focus on what truly matters.

One of the main potential benefits of CBD oil is that CBD may help to naturally reduce stress without the side effects and potential risk associated with anxiety medications. 

Relaxation

With daily stress reduction comes relaxation and a better night's rest.¹⁴ CBD oil does not put you to sleep like narcotics or prescription sleep aids, it works by setting the stage to help your body fall asleep naturally. That's why CBD may help nurture and support healthy sleep cycles.

Cornbread Hemp’s extra-strength Whole Flower CBD oil is rich in terpene content (and contains a legal amount of THC) making it very popular for relaxing before bedtime. If you take too much, you might feel groggy in the morning. That’s why finding the appropriate dose is so important. 

Skin Issues

CBD could also be helpful with skin discomfort and supporting healthy skin.¹⁵ By virtue of the CBD and its carrier oil, the final product of our CBD cream is moisturizing and soothing when applied topically. Cornbread Hemp’s lotions come in two strengths, one is 500 mg with menthol (mentioned above) and the other is 200mg formula for skin. Made with our 75% pure full spectrum CBD distillate, both formulas absorb quickly and won’t leave a greasy residue like balms and salves do.

Mobility in Older Pets

Cats and dogs also have an ECS overlaying their nervous systems as well,¹⁶ which regulates how their bodies respond to stress and discomfort. Because of this, CBD may have the same effects on pets as it has on humans.¹⁷ 

Older pets can suffer from inflamed joints and muscles that can lead to mobility problems, and CBD could help to comfort them.¹⁸ We have converted many CBD skeptics after they witness the effects of CBD on their older pets, since our pets don't experience a placebo effect. 

Nervous pets

Pet owners hate to see their furry friends acting anxious or nervous, whether that’s from thunderstorms, separation, or bathtime. Many rescued pets can exhibit behaviors that would suggest they had been abused before they were rescued. For situations like these, CBD may help reduce their nervousness and provide relief.¹⁹ 

Whether it’s fireworks or the vacuum cleaner that makes your dogs freak out, CBD may help them get through those stressful times. At Cornbread Hemp, we add corndog flavoring to our special formulated CBD oil for pets to make it easy to add to food or treats. Some dogs even like it straight from the dropper!

Are There Side Effects?

Getting benefits from CBD can come at a very low risk because when using CBD oil alone there are few side effects, if any. You cannot overdose on CBD,²⁰ but there is a small risk of CBD drug interactions that may cause unwanted side effects.²¹ That’s why you should always check with your health care provider if you are taking medication before using CBD oil in your daily routine.

Usually when people experience side effects from use of CBD, it has to do with the medications they are currently taking. CBD oil can work in a synergistic way with some prescription medications. This means that it can make the effects of your meds stronger, along with their side effects. This is why we emphasize seeking medical advice from a healthcare professional, especially if you have any serious health problems or medical conditions that you are currently receiving treatment for.

Generally, human studies show that using a standard dose CBD oil for supplementation is a very safe option. The only side effects documented for high CBD amounts is upset stomach and possibly diarrhea. CBD dosage is based on body weight and metabolism, but the best way to know what size dose of CBD to take is to start low and build your way up.

Will CBD Oil Get Me High?

Cannabis is often associated with the intoxicating compound THC. The strains of cannabis plant used in the production of CBD oil for health benefits are very different from the kinds of cannabis that “gets you high.” At least 33 states allow for high THC marijuana to be sold medically. But the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill allows hemp, defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% THC, to be cultivated nationwide.²² While it can look and smell identical to marijuana, hemp has a very different phytocannabinoid profile. Using CBD oil containing the legal limit of no more than 0.3% THC will not get you “high.”

Scientific research shows that CBD can inhibit THC's psychoactive effects when they are used together.²³ Having all of the cannabinoids like CBD and THC together in an oil is called full spectrum. The effect of all of the cannabinoids together on the ECS is called the "entourage effect."²⁴ The results of human studies and reports from CBD users suggest that taking full spectrum CBD could result in maximum benefits and better well being than if they took THC-free products.

Will I Fail a Drug Test?

Even though it doesn’t get you high, taking CBD oil may still cause you to fail a drug test. The small amount of THC in full spectrum oils can build up over time, meaning a THC test could come back positive.²⁵ 

However, that doesn’t mean that if you use CBD oil without THC you are safe. THC-free products can still test positive for cannabinoids! Some tests can’t tell the difference between CBD and THC, so it may yield a false positive even if you are using a THC-free broad spectrum product. It could even show positive if you’re using CBD isolate.

If you are expecting a workplace drug screening, it is best to do your research and speak to HR or your healthcare provider to go over your options before trying CBD oil or CBD gummies, or any other CBD products for that matter.

What CBD Oil Has the Most Benefits?

Since hemp derived CBD products are new in the wellness marketplace, it’s important to find a brand that is trustworthy and produces a safe, high quality product. Because the FDA has not yet issued regulations on CBD, the only other federal agency that could regulate CBD products is the USDA's organic program -- which is a much higher standard than dietary supplement regulations from the FDA.

Cornbread Hemp is the first CBD brand in Kentucky to attain a USDA organic certification for our CBD oils, and the maker of the strongest CBD oils to be USDA certified organic. The only ingredients in our CBD oils are organic hemp extract and organic MCT coconut oil. We use organic sugarcane alcohol as a solvent to extract all the cannabinoids from organic Kentucky-grown hemp flowers, which makes our oils taste better than other brands. We never add flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives because our oils are naturally delicious, with a smooth finish.

We produce our oils in small batches for quality control, and samples of every batch are sent to our third-party lab testing partner for a full panel of tests for our certificates of analysis, or COA’s. They test for pesticides, residual solvents, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants like bacteria, molds, and fungus.

Cornbread Hemp has scannable QR codes on all of our CBD products that lead you directly back to their specific lab reports. You can be sure you are getting a safe, reliable, potent, and legal product when it comes from Cornbread Hemp.

In Conclusion: CBD Oil Benefits

Studies show that the health benefits of CBD could range from relaxation to increasing the body's natural anti-inflammatory abilities, in both human studies and animal studies. However, until the FDA approves CBD products, it remains difficult for a brand to talk about CBD's potential health benefits.

Like any supplement, the best way to take CBD oil to get the most benefits will vary from person to person. Overall, hemp-derived CBD oil is dramatically changing how we approach wellness, and our journey with the cannabis plant is far from over.