Hemp oil extract tinctures are gaining popularity for assisting with pain relief, digestion, stress and anxiety relief, and other wellness areas. CBD oil is being brought up more and more in discussions about physical and mental health, so here are some of the more frequently asked questions. As always, consult with a licensed physician or mental health caregiver before incorporating CBD or any other substance into your wellness routine.
Can CBD lower blood pressure?
In a 2017 study by Jadoon, Tan, and O’Sullivan, the resting blood pressure was lower after subjects had taken CBD. They also found out that CBD seemed to blunt the subjects’ blood pressure response to a stress test. It’s important to note that these test subjects had not used cannabis prior to the test and, therefore, did not have a tolerance. Additionally, this study was based upon a single dose of 600mg of CBD oil. Further studies are needed to determine if CBD oil could help with hypertension or cardiovascular disease, but these early results are promising.
Does CBD make you tired?
Because certain strains of cannabis are known to induce extreme relaxation, our readers often ask if CBD oil will make them tired. It may also be confusing because people sometimes take CBD to help them sleep. However, CBD oil does not tend to make people drowsy the way that cannabis might. Instead, CBD works with the body’s nervous system, which may help regulate your sleep cycle.
Can CBD help with headaches?
CBD oil is thought to help relieve pain – particularly neurological pain – and reduce inflammation. We are still waiting for conclusive scientific research to determine if CBD could become a medically-supported treatment for migraines, but for now, it is thought that CBD might affect certain receptors in the brain and help with pain relief, easing headache-related nausea, and reducing inflammation.
Will CBD help with other pain relief?
One of the many popular uses of CBD oil is for pain relief – specifically inflammation and discomfort. Argueta, Ventura, Kiven, Sagi, and Gupta published a review in April 2020 called ‘A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain.’ They evaluated literature discussing CBD use in treating pain and concluded that the use of CBD for pain relief is context-specific. If you’re looking to use CBD for pain relief, look for a tincture that also includes other inflammation-fighting herbal ingredients such as black seed, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper.
Can CBD help with nausea?
Parker, Rock, and Limebeer write the following: ‘Considerable evidence demonstrates that manipulation of the endocannabinoid system regulates nausea and vomiting in humans and other animals.’ One of the primary reasons they’re engaged in this research is to help find a treatment for nausea in chemotherapy patients. ‘Nausea is often reported as more distressing than vomiting,’ they write, ‘because it is a continuous sensation.’ Medical research continues in this field; in the meantime, anecdotal evidence suggests that there’s something to the theory.
Why do the instructions say to put CBD oil under my tongue?
Absorbing something by placing it under your tongue is called sublingual administration. Many medicines and some vitamins are also absorbed in this way. Placing CBD oil under your tongue for 60 to 90 seconds before swallowing it allows CBD to be broken down by enzymes and reach the bloodstream more quickly than if you swallowed it directly and it was passed through the digestive system and liver metabolism. Other methods of taking CBD oil include inhalation through vaping or smoking, eating in foods such as gummies and chocolates, swallowing softgels, and applying topically.
Does CBD oil help with hives?
So those are questions about taking CBD oil internally. But what about hives and other skin conditions? Lotions and creams that include CBD as an ingredient seek to capitalise on the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. The research is still out on the subject, but anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD oil can help soothe itching and swelling of the skin.
James Wallace has been an advocate for mental health awareness for years. He holds a master’s degree in counselling from the University of Edinburgh.
