CBD is the new the black! Everyone is ranting and raving about it. But does this mean it really is that effective? What exactly is CBD and how does it work? Can it really treat medical conditions? We have all the answers to these questions! Here at Louisiana Marijuana Card, we want to give you the most up to date information on the trends in the marijuana industry that could help solidify your decision to get your medical marijuana card with us. CBD is one of those new buzzwords that we will be discussing today.
In this article, we will be going over everything you need to know about CBD! What it is, how it works and how it can help your medical condition. After reading this you will be a CBD aficionado!
What is CBD?
So what exactly is CBD? Is it marijuana or something else? The short answer is yes. Keep reading for the long answer!
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is best known for being the cannabinoid (or chemical compound) in marijuana that is non-psychoactive. The other sister cannabinoid of CBD is THC, that is the compound that has psychoactive effects. CBD has been coming up lately because of this! Many want to use the medicinal properties in marijuana but they don’t want to experience the classic “high” effect that is associated with marijuana use. This “high” effect does not happen with CBD since it is non-psychoactive!
So why exactly does CBD not make you feel high? THC and CBD are both cannabinoids but they also have two very different effects on the body. THC activates the CB1 receptors (which we will get into greater detail about later). This makes people generally have feelings of euphoria, but for some anxiety or paranoia. CBD on the other hand doesn’t activate the CB1 receptor so we don’t feel the same psychoactive effects that we do with THC.
Interestingly enough, CBD can actually help reduce the effects of THC! CBD can help block some of the unwanted effects that often come with high THC marijuana strains. This makes CBD a good option for those who are more prone to anxiety and paranoia!
Another plus of CBD is that it can come in many forms. CBD can be extracted from the marijuana plant to make products that a patient doesn’t have to smoke. This helps patients feel more comfortable about their marijuana use since they are not using marijuana in a stereotypical recreational style. These CBD forms are actually very popular in Louisiana’s medical marijuana program. CBD can come in oil, tinctures, gummy edibles, inhalers and much more!
How Does CBD Work?
Our bodies have a system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis within the body. The ECS has a set of receptors, called CB1 and CB2 receptors, which interact with the CBD and THC cannabinoids found in marijuana. CBD interacts with the ECS by mimicking the natural compounds that the body produces.
CBD triggers the cannabinoid receptors and encourages the body to produce natural endocannabinoids which help balance the ECS. CBD is a super compound because it also can interact with opioid, serotonin and dopamine receptors in the body. This is what makes CBD so popular! Its ability to interact with so many different receptors shows how it can help so many medical conditions.
Can CBD Help Me?
CBD Can Aid Anxiety:
The number one reason people are using CBD is to treat anxiety. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, over 40 million people over 18 in the U.S. have anxiety. That is a lot of people! And with the pandemic, this number is growing.
CBD research in relation to anxiety has been sprouting up more and more in recent years. There is more and more evidence that points to it being a medicinally rich treatment for those battling anxiety. Although most of the CBD research has been preclinical or using animal testing, we are more seeing more research using humans in clinical studies. While there is tons of anecdotal evidence supporting CBD use, is it nice to have that backed up by science!
One of the most recent and exciting research studies was a double-blind study done in 2019. This study looked at 37 teenagers that were diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD). They either received 300 mg of CBD oil or a placebo every day for a total of four weeks. During this time the teens were assessed using survey data in order to diagnose and measure their SAD symptoms. After the 4 weeks, the teens who took the CBD oil saw a reduction in their SAD symptoms. This study further showed that the relief CBD brought about was comparable to a common drug used to treat SAD!
In another similar study done in 2019, outpatients at a mental health facility in Colorado were sampled. There were 47 patients who shared concerns about the anxiety that they experienced. Over three month, a majority of these patients were given 25 mg of CBD daily with their treatment. Within the first month alone, 79.2% of patients saw an improvement in their anxiety. This number rose to 78.1% after two month when patients reported even further improvements from the first month.
Pain is Reduced Significantly By CBD:
Chronic pain is one of the most rigorously studied medical conditions in relation to marijuana! This is great news for those who are battling chronic pain as they can turn to the research to show that medical marijuana is a safe and effective treatment to use.
A comprehensive review was led by Harvard Medical School which looked at 28 studies that examined the effectiveness of cannabinoids on the treatment of pain. This review concluded marijuana an effective treatment for chronic pain based on high quality research evidence. Out of the studies that were reviewed, all of the studies on chronic pain and all of the studies on neuropathic pain showed that patients found a significant improvement in their symptoms after marijuana treatment!
Another study from the University of Michigan, published in the Journal of Pain, showed that marijuana improved the quality of life for patients, reduced the use of opioids by an average of 64% and decreased the side effects of other medications.
The effects of CBD on chronic pain are so drastic because CBD is an anti-inflammatory and has major painkilling powers which is needed for a condition like this.
CBD Can Also Help Insomnia:
Treating insomnia is often the first step to helping those with a medical condition. Sleep helps you recover! It gives you a break and helps you wake up refreshed, energized and ready to tackle the next day ahead.
Although there is not much research on the benefits of CBD on sleep, there is tons of anecdotal evidence. Dosage is what seems to play a role in whether CBD can help with insomnia. For example, a study done in 2019 showed that those who took a much higher dose of CBD had longer sleep durations. Those who took small doses saw no effect on their insomnia.
An easier way to think about how CBD can help with insomnia is to shift your focus away from the research and instead to what is keeping you up at night. Not much is understood about if CBD can cause you to sleep but since it can help your medical condition, it can in turn help you sleep better! If you have PTSD and lie awake in fear of having nightmares, CBD can aid your medical condition first, which in turn can help you sleep better. This is the magic of CBD!
How Can I Take CBD Oil?
Marijuana can come in many different forms but in Louisiana there are restrictions on how you can get your medical marijuana in the state. Only the sale of marijuana oil is permitted in the state so that means in Louisiana you can’t purchase flower or buds and you also cannot vape.
So what is CBD or marijuana oil? Oil is an umbrella term that is used to describe a liquid extract. This liquid extract can be used to make a variety of products that you can purchase for you treatment at Louisiana dispensaries. You can purchase edibles, tinctures, topicals, lotions and capsules. All of these use marijuana oil to make their products and you can get these with varying amounts of THC, CBD or both!
How Can I Get CBD in Louisiana?
Today, it is so simple and easy to get your medical marijuana card in Louisiana! As long as you start the process with us, you won’t have to worry about a thing. Our patient support staff and qualified marijuana doctors, that are licensed in the state, are ready and prepared to talk to you about your medical condition and if medical marijuana is right for you.
Here at Louisiana Marijuana Card, you only have to follow these three steps to get approved for your medical marijuana card:
Schedule an appointment with us either by calling us at (833) 253-2943 or making your appointment online.
Attend your appointment virtually using your phone or your computer! You will meet with one of our certified physicians to discuss your medical history and if medical marijuana can help you.
Once the physician approves you for treatment, you will receive your recommendation from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
It really is that easy! If you or your loved one is interested in CBD or medical marijuana treatment, you are in the right place.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Louisiana Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Louisiana!