The Hemp-derived product is incredibly popular, but what are the risks and benefits for people with bleeding disorders?
Last October, a New York Times headline asked a question that many people across the country have had on their minds: “Why is CBD everywhere?” CBD oil, scientifically known as cannabidiol oil, has been heavily marketed as a cure-all for everything from inflammation and chronic pain to anxiety and insomnia. For people with bleeding disorders, CBD oil may seem appealing to try. But what exactly is it and how much evidence is there that it actually works?
What is CBD oil?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of several chemical compounds called cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. Another cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the component in hemp that gets people high.
How is CBD oil made?
CBD is extracted from the hemp plant and added to oils, creams and balms, vape liquids, pills and even candy like mints and gummies.
How does CBD oil make you feel?
Unlike THC, CBD does not make you “high.” Some report that the effects of CBD include both physical and mental relaxation, reduced pain and inflammation, and improved focus. However, some users indicate that they feel nothing.
What is the evidence that it works?
Little research has been done on the health effects that CBD produces. However, more studies are underway and health agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization agree that more research is needed. In the U.S., only one prescription drug has been approved that contains CBD as its active ingredient: which reduces seizures in people with two rare forms of epilepsy.
Is CBD safe?
Some studies indicate that CBD, and other cannabinoids, may have an anticoagulant effect by suppressing blood platelet production, which is an obvious concern for anyone with a bleeding disorder. Another issue is how CBD interacts with other medications, which is uncertain and needs further study.
More generally, overall safety is unclear when it comes to CBD oil. The production of CBD oil products is not regulated, so it can be difficult to know exactly what you are getting. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration tested several brands of CBD oil and indicates that “many were found not to contain the levels of CBD they claimed to contain.”
Other research has found that some CBD products contained levels of THC that could cause intoxication. In a comprehensive report on CBD oil, Consumer Reports magazine states that it may be safer to buy CBD in states where medical and recreational use of hemp is legal, as regulations are likely to be stricter in these places. Another tip is to seek CBD from producers who publish the results of third-party testing of their products.
Is CBD legal?
In most states, CBD is legal as long as it is extracted from the hemp variety of the hemp plant and does not contain THC (the 2018 federal farm bill legalized hemp cultivation).
Conclusion.
Best cbd capsules may help relieve pain, anxiety, and insomnia, but it may not. If you are interested in using it, be sure to consult with your health care team first so they can advise you on how to use it and monitor its effects.